Paris, (June 10, 2024) – French President Emmanuel Macron has announced the dissolution of the French parliament and called for early national elections. This decision comes after his Renaissance party's significant defeat to Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally in the European Parliament elections.

According to British news agency Reuters, the National Rally secured 32 percent of the vote in the European Parliament elections, more than twice the 15 percent garnered by Macron's Renaissance party. The far-right victory has sent shockwaves through the French political landscape, prompting Macron's unprecedented move.

In a televised address from the Elysee Palace, Macron declared the dissolution of the French parliament just an hour after the EU election exit polls were announced. He stated that the lower house elections would take place on June 30, with a second round scheduled for July 7. 

Macron acknowledged the poor performance of his party in the EU elections and stressed the need for a clear majority in France to ensure governance with "peace and harmony." He emphasized that this was a critical moment to take a decisive stand and address the political challenges facing the country.

Marine Le Pen welcomed Macron's call for early elections, seeing it as an opportunity to strengthen her party's position within the French government. 

Macron's Renaissance Party currently holds 169 seats out of the 577 in France's lower house of parliament, while Le Pen's National Rally has 88 seats. The upcoming elections are poised to significantly alter the balance of power in French politics.

These early elections are set against the backdrop of the upcoming Paris Olympics, adding further complexity to the political climate. The French public and international observers alike will be closely watching the developments in the weeks leading up to the elections.