Following parliament's disbanding. - France enters election campaign phase.
With the dissolution of the National Assembly, France is gearing up for a shift into campaign mode. This decision comes after President Emmanuel Macron's loss in the European elections. Several political parties had been contemplating their strategies for the upcoming parliamentary elections, which Macron has now set for June 30 and July 7.
Macron's aim is to secure as many conservative and socialist MPs for his potential coalition government. His center-ground party strives to secure the election in his favor. On the other hand, the Left Party La France insoumise, the Socialists, and the Communists are seeking to forge a new alliance on the left and run together, similar to their alliance in 2022. The conservative Republicans have said they will not be joining Macron's camp for a coalition, while the far-right Rassemblement National (RN), led by Marine Le Pen, aims to replicate their victory in the European elections during the parliamentary elections and establish RN leader Jordan Bardella as the future Prime Minister.
The RN emerges as the dominating force in the French European elections. They garnered 31.36% of the votes, making them the clear winner, according to the preliminary official results announced by the French Interior Ministry after all the votes were counted. Macron's party and allies came in second with only 14.6% of the votes, which was less than half of what the Euroskeptics received. The Socialists earned 13.83% of the votes and the far-right Reconquête party gained 5.47%.
Macron's center-ground suffers a major blow with this defeat. He chose to dissolve the French National Assembly on Sunday, declaring new parliamentary elections in the coming weeks. Interestingly, Macron won't be running for re-election this time. The next presidential election doesn't happen until 2027. He's taken this risky move in an attempt to create a more stable majority for the remainder of his term, as his government has not had an absolute majority in the National Assembly for two years, making governance difficult.
This marks the first dissolution of the parliamentary chamber in France in more than 25 years. The National Assembly is a two-chamber parliament involved in legislative matters and can bring down the government by passing a vote of no confidence. Absence of an absolute majority in parliament in France makes governing a real challenge.
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In this period of campaign mode, the Right-wing nationalists, led by Marine Le Pen and her party Rassemblement National, aim to build upon their success in the European elections, striving for a victorious outcome in the upcoming parliamentary elections. The dissolution of parliament signifies a fast pace in France, as various political parties scramble to form alliances and solidify their election strategies. The Left Party La France insoumise, along with the Socialists and Communists, are actively working towards a united front on the left, similar to their alliance in 2022.
While some parties are aligning forces, others are maintaining their distance from potential coalitions. The conservative Republicans have announced their intention to remain independent, and President Macron's aim of securing conservative and socialist MPs for his potential coalition government will be a significant challenge. Emmanuel Macron, in his capacity as head of state, has opted for new parliamentary elections, setting the date for June 30 and July 7, despite not being a contender in the upcoming presidential election in 2027.
Paris, as France's capital and political hub, will undoubtedly serve as a centerpoint for this election campaign. Various political rallies and debates will unfold in the city, drawing widespread attention and participation from the French electorate. The upcoming parliamentary elections hold significant importance, as the outcome will shape the composition of the French Parliament and potentially influence the course of governance for the remainder of Macron's term in office. Both the Right-wing nationalists and the leftist alliance, along with other participating parties, are eager to capture the support of the French population and secure their place in the new Parliament.
