When and why did Macron call an election?published at 14:12
As we start to cover what is expected to be a rather tense first round, it’s worth taking a step back to remind why this snap election was called in the first place.
Earlier this month, Emmanuel Macron made his surprise announcement in a dramatic TV address on 9 June – the day the French had taken part in European elections. It came barely an hour after polls showed the far-right National Rally party had trounced his centrist alliance.
Saying he couldn’t act as if nothing had happened, he called snap parliamentary elections. Macron’s own job isn’t affected, as these elections are separate from the presidential vote and his term runs for three more years.
Although the decision was a huge surprise, some commentators have argued Macron had no choice. Since he failed to secure an absolute majority at the last elections two years ago, he has been stuck in terms of passing new laws or reforms.
His own popularity is low, too, and his Ensemble alliance is running third in the polls. At best, he can hope to limit the damage and keep half his MPs.
Macron said he was “responding” to the people and giving them the chance to bring about clarity – even if that means giving the RN the chance to govern.