In an article in Le Figaro, Renaud Girard, a prominent French journalist, commented on the bold and contentious move by French President Emmanuel Macron where he dissolved the parliament and called for early legislative elections in France.

Girard underscored that this comes just one month before the country is set to host the Olympic Games, five months after appointing a new prime minister, and only two years after the last general election, causing significant upheaval in the French government. Critics, among which is Girard, argued that this action undermined the stability provided by the institutions of France's Fifth Republic, designed by General de Gaulle, which "enable the affairs of state to be managed in a way that was not short-term."

Girard further explained that Macron's decision regarding the legislative elections contradicts his earlier stance on the nature of European elections, which he previously deemed as non-national affairs. The sudden shift suggests an urgent need to address domestic issues that have fueled the rise of the Rassemblement National, which capitalizes on public demands for order and security in streets, schools, borders, and public finances. Critics, said Girard, argue that "these are four themes to which Emmanuel Macron has not given sufficient importance during his first seven years in power."

Girard also criticized Macron's lack of consistency stating, "What Emmanuel Macron lacks is not courage, but consistency. Having a president without consistency ... is not good for France's international image."

The urgency for change was highlighted by the protests of June 2023, which shook public confidence in the government's ability to maintain security, the article in Le Figaro underscored.

Girard comments, "Here are citizens who are subjected to the highest tax burden in the world, and for whom their State is no longer even capable of ensuring urban security..."

Following a significant loss for his Renaissance party (14.6%) in Sunday's European Parliament election, where Marine Le Pen's National Rally (RN) emerged victorious, garnering 31.4% of the vote, French President Emmanuel #Macron announced snap elections and dissolved the… pic.twitter.com/rW7QuA4PYH

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) June 11, 2024

Internationally, Macron has endeavored to enhance France's image through various diplomatic efforts, mediating in numerous global crises. Although these mediations have not resolved conflicts, they underscore Macron's commitment to peace over Western notions of democracy or justice. However, his approach has not always been well-received, especially when moralizing to EU members like Italy, Hungary, and Poland.

Macron's vision for European strategic autonomy in defense has faced resistance from European partners, who prefer alignment with Washington. This disconnect contributes to a perceived decline in France's international standing, despite Macron's efforts to promote peace and stability. Girard notes, "There's one thing that General de Gaulle understood very well, but that Emmanuel Macron has never managed to grasp: When you're a middle power like France, there's no point in offering other nations the best ideas in the world if your own house isn't in order. Influence is always achieved by example."

Historical commemorations, where Macron's eloquence shines, have also been marred by domestic unrest. Notably, the centenary of the Armistice in 2018 and the D-Day commemoration in 2024 were overshadowed by violent protests and disappointing electoral results, respectively.

Girard highlights the missed opportunities, stating, "What a waste, we thought as we contemplated this disaster, the domestic reforms at a standstill and France's degraded international image! It's a waste that no sincere patriot, no true lover of France, can be happy about."

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Macron's latest gamble with early elections aims to address pressing domestic issues but risks further destabilizing the government and tarnishing France's international image, according to Girard. The outcome of this political maneuver remains uncertain, but it highlights the complex interplay between domestic governance and international diplomacy in Macron's presidency as the case appears in the article in Le Figaro.

Les Républicains MPs to join National Rally in elections: RN leader

Several legislators from the French The Republicans (Les Républicains) party have consented to unite with a coalition under the leadership of the far-right National Rally (RN) party in the upcoming snap parliamentary elections, announced RN leader Jordan Bardella on Tuesday.
 
Following the initial results indicating defeat for his coalition against the RN in the European Union Parliament election, French President Emmanuel Macron instructed the dissolving of the lower house of the National Assembly and scheduled snap elections on two rounds – June 30 and July 7.

In the conclusive outcome of the EU Parliament elections, the National Rally party secured 31.37% of the votes in France, whereas Macron's Renaissance party and its allies garnered a mere 14.6% of the votes. 

"I have addressed all the political groupings and I can inform you that I have conducted talks with those who do not belong to our political family, with Republicans… they are ready to work with us," Bardella told French radio broadcaster RTL.

The party leader did not specify the number of Republicans intending to support the National Rally.

Bardella also announced that the RN will provide support to candidates from other parties at the polls.

"Among the candidates to be supported by my political movement in the elections to the legislative bodies will be not only people from the National Rally, but also people from the Republicans," he said, calling on the coalition members to coordinate efforts to "put an end to the spiral of defeats to which the country was brought by Macron's system." 
 
He mentioned that the forthcoming elections are intended to establish a fresh majority and select a new government with the goal of revitalizing the nation.

Macron said that the outcome of the EU elections is "not a good result for parties who defend Europe," noting that far-right parties in France had managed to take almost 40% of the vote.

"Far right parties... are progressing everywhere in the continent," he said. "It is a situation to which I cannot resign myself .. So, at the end of this day, I cannot act as if nothing had happened."

The dissolution will be the first such move since 1997 when then right-wing President Jacques Chirac called snap legislative elections only to see the left win a majority.

RN Vice President Sebastien Chenu announced on Monday that the party's 28-year-old leader Jordan Bardella would be its contender for prime minister if it won a majority in snap elections.

Read more: French markets tumble as Macron calls snap legislative elections: FT