Far-Right National Rally Party Wins Big in France's EU Elections, Dealing Blow to Macron

On Sunday, June 9, the far-right party in France achieved a resounding triumph in the European Parliament elections, as per the initial results. This outcome dealt a severe blow to President Emmanuel Macron's centrist party, which secured a distant second place.

The National Rally, headed by Marine Le Pen and her highly popular protégé Jordan Bardella, secured approximately 31.5 percent of the vote, while Mr. Macron’s Renaissance party obtained around 15.2 percent. This marked a significant distance between the two parties, establishing the National Rally as the leading party in France.

Disavowal of Macron

The election results, although not unexpected, served as a strong rejection of Mr. Macron's leadership. He had emphasized the importance of the vote for the future of the European Union, particularly in light of recent events such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Marine Le Pen's protégé, Jordan Bardella, emphasized, "This was a verdict against which there is no appeal. France has demonstrated its desire for change."

Call for Change

Mr. Bardella criticized Mr. Macron, labeling him as a "weakened" leader and urging him to dissolve the National Assembly and call for new legislative elections in response to the vote.

The results in France reflect a broader rightward shift in Europe, primarily driven by concerns over uncontrolled immigration, and serve as a significant indicator of the political climate in the 27-nation European Union.