What Was Macron Thinking?
Snap Elections and Political Turmoil Put France at a Critical Juncture, and Voters in an Uncomfortable Place
Here in France, we had all expected the far-right Rassemblement National (National Rally)—or the RN—to outperform in the European elections earlier this month. At 8 p.m. on June 9, the results confirmed the polls and our fears.
But we never expected the bombshell that President Emmanuel Macron dropped on us a mere hour later.
Sober, dressed appropriately for the dramatic moment in a black suit and tie, Macron announced that he would dissolve the lower house of France’s parliament, the National Assembly. With the far-right RN and Reconquête! parties winning nearly 37% …
