French President Emmanuel Macron has announced he will dissolve parliament and call new legislative elections after exit polls showed his alliance suffered a heavy defeat in European elections to Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally (RN) party.

Paris

French President Emmanuel Macron calls a snap election following a bruising loss to the far-right in a European Parliament ballot.

France snap election

French President Emmanuel Macron has announced plans to dissolve parliament and call for new legislative elections. This decision comes after exit polls indicated a strong showing for Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally (RN) party, which secured over 30% of the votes in the European elections. Macron's party received just 15% of the vote, a significant setback.

Jordan Bardella, Marine Le Pen's protégé and campaign head, had urged Macron to consider the new political landscape and defer to democratic processes by calling for new elections. Macron responded by stating he would dissolve the National Assembly and sign a decree to convene the legislative elections. These elections are scheduled to occur across two rounds.

The move is risky for Macron, as he has only a short period to convince voters that a far-right dominated parliament would be detrimental to France. He plans to argue that France is stronger within a united Europe. Meanwhile, anti-far-right protesters have already begun to gather in Paris following the announcement. 

Marine Le Pen expressed her readiness to lead the country, indicating that Macron's decision could either hinder or bolster her political ambitions moving forward.



France’s Macron calls for snap elections amid far right surge

Supporters of Marine Le Pen's far-right anti-immigration party celebrated in Paris after the national rally took more than 30% of votes in France in the EU election. Le Pen's protégé and campaign head, Jordan Bardella, called on the French President to dissolve Parliament. Being subject to a democratic impasse, the President should defer to the spirit of institutions. We solemnly ask him to consider this new political configuration, to come back to the French people and organise new parliamentary elections. The far-right's success in the ballot had been expected, but what couldn't have been predicted was that Emmanuel Macron would then appear to heed Bardella's call. I'll dissolve the National Assembly tonight. In a few moments I'll sign the decree convening the legislative elections, which will be held on 30th June for the first round and on 7th July for the second. The shock move was prompted by Macron's party taking only 15% of the vote in the EU ballot, an embarrassing result. Macron said it was clearly time to give choice back to the people. A jubilant Marine Le Pen could not have agreed more. We are ready to turn the country around, ready to bring France back to life. Macron's decision is fraught with risk. He has three weeks to convince French voters that a far-right dominated parliament and possible government would be a disaster for France. Are you ready to vote for a party which will undermine Europe, or do you think that France is stronger in a stronger Europe? That's the message, that's the point he's going to try to make to the French people. It's a gamble that could pay off. Anti-far-right protesters gathered in Paris soon after Macron's announcement. But it's a gamble that could also backfire. If the far-right do well in the parliamentary election, the result could provide Le Pen with the perfect stepping stone to become president in the 2027 election race. Natasha Butler, Al Jazeera, Paris.

The Paris Olympic Games have officially opened with a ceremony in the rain along the River Seine. Athletes floated along on boats for the parade, while former French sprinter Marie-José Pérec and French judoka Teddy Riner lit the Olympic flame.

Paris Olympics

Paris Olympics underway after Opening Ceremony

Taiwanese authorities are assessing the damage caused by Typhoon Gaemi. The coastguard has been rescuing boats stranded by the tropical storm. The official death toll has risen to eight, with more than 800 people injured.

Taipei

Cargo crew rescued from Typhoon Gaemi

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Chico

Uncontrolled fires burn across California

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Tsim Sha Tsui

Climate Crisis

Thousands evacuated in China as Typhoon makes landfall

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El Paso

Mexican drug lords arrested in El Paso

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Palm Beach

Netanyahu meets Trump, says working on cease-fire

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Kansas City

North Korean charged in U.S. cyberattacks

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France rail network attacked before Olympics

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Saboteurs attack French railways ahead of Olympic ceremony

Typhoon Gaemi pummeled towns on China's coastal Fujian province on Friday with heavy rains and strong winds as the most powerful storm to hit the country this year began its widely watched trek into the populous interior.

Fujian

Typhoon Gaemi lashes China after pounding Taiwan, Philippines

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Caracas

Final rallies held ahead of Venezuela presidential election

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Washington

Israel-Gaza War

Harris strikes tougher tone on Gaza ceasefire deal

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Swim coach spared axe over supporting Korean rival

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Athletes navigate security risks at Paris 2024

Typhoon Gaemi has reached southeastern China after churning across the Taiwan Strait. The typhoon has prompted warnings of swelling rivers, flash floods, and waterlogging in cities and provinces that were hit by extreme rains several weeks ago.

Typhoon Gaemi hits China after pounding Taiwan, Philippines

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Major security operation in place to guard Paris Olympics

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Biden meets with Netanyahu, presses for ceasefire in Gaza

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Miranda

Man with knife and explosives arrested at Westfield

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Canberra

Prime Minister set to reveal cabinet reshuffle

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Dhaka

UN demands investigation of Bangladesh's crackdown on protesters

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U.S. Presidential Election

Biden says he bowed out to unite nation, backs Harris to beat Trump

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From Paris to Polynesia, final Olympic preparations underway

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North Carolina

Trump slams Harris as ‘radical’ in first rally since Biden’s exit

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Kathmandu

Nepal plane crash kills 18; pilot only survivor

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Manila

Typhoon Gaemi brings heavy rain to Manila, forcing evacuation

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Wisconsin

Harris slams Trump at first campaign rally

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Paris officials criticized for pre-Olympic homeless sweep

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