Less than an hour after the European Parliament election results were announced on June 9, French President Emmanuel Macron unexpectedly called a snap election. That election begins today as France goes to the polls for the first of two rounds of voting, which will determine the 577 members of the lower house of parliament.
Less than an hour after the European Parliament election results were announced on June 9, French President Emmanuel Macron unexpectedly called a snap election. That election begins today as France goes to the polls for the first of two rounds of voting, which will determine the 577 members of the lower house of parliament.
In the European Parliament elections, France’s far-right National Rally party made major gains, far outperforming Macron’s centrist Renaissance party. Now, observers are wondering: How likely is it that the far right will win? What was Macron thinking? And how does France’s political instability fit into the trend of right-wing populism in Europe?
This edition of Flash Points provides all you need to know about Macron’s risky bet as French voters cast their ballots.
What Was Macron Thinking?
France’s president is forcing voters to decide if they really want the National Rally in power—and betting that governing could dent the far-right’s popularity before 2027, Robert Zaretsky writes.
What Would a Far-Right Victory Mean for French Foreign Policy?
Cohabitation would test France’s approach toward Ukraine, Israel, NATO, and the EU, Célia Belin and Mathieu Droin write.
Macron Is Destroying His Democracy to Save It
Why France’s president has decided to embrace electoral chaos, according to Emile Chabal.
Why Are French Jews Supporting the Far Right?
Prominent Jewish figures are publicly entertaining what was once considered unthinkable: voting for Marine Le Pen’s National Rally, Robert Zaretsky writes.
Is Europe’s Turn to the Right Here to Stay?
Right-wing populists did well in the EU Parliament elections. Now, as FP’s Emma Ashford and Matthew Kroenig discuss, France’s president is testing the public’s appetite for being governed by them.
The post What to Know as France Goes to the Polls appeared first on Foreign Policy.
