(Paris) Emmanuel Macron announced on Sunday evening the dissolution of the National Assembly after the overwhelming victory of the far right in the European elections and called legislative elections for June 30 and July 7.
“After having carried out the consultations provided for in article 12 of our Constitution, I have decided to give you the choice of our parliamentary future again by voting. I am therefore dissolving the National Assembly this evening,” declared the Head of State in a televised address after the announcement of the results.
“I will sign in a few moments the decree convening the legislative elections which will be held on June 30 for the first round and July 7 for the second,” he added.
The outcome of the European vote “is not a good result for the parties which defend Europe”, he insisted, noting that the far right reached “nearly 40% of the votes cast” in France.
“The rise of nationalists and demagogues is a danger for our nation, but also for our Europe, for France’s place in Europe and in the world,” he added.
“Yes, the far right is both the impoverishment of the French and the downgrading of our country,” he said. “Added to this situation is a fever which has gripped public and parliamentary debate in our country in recent years.”
“However, today, the challenges that present themselves to us, whether external dangers, climate change and its consequences or threats to our own cohesion, these challenges require clarity in our debates, “ambition for the country and respect for every French person”, he concluded.