OF THE
TIMES
Macron's allies look certain to be roundly trounced by the right-wing National Rally (RN) party, which is associated with Marine Le Pen.Given this twist to French politics, Le Pen claims she is more than ready to lead:
The president said he could not act as if "nothing happened," admitting that the projected election result did not bode well for his government. Macron also warned about the apparent rise of nationalist forces, calling it a danger both to France and the EU as a whole."This is a serious, difficult decision, but above all it is an act of trust. I trust the French people to make the best choice for themselves and for future generations."Bardella, in a victory speech from campaign HQ:"By according more than 30 percent of their votes to us, the French have delivered their verdict and marked the determination of our country to change the direction of the EU, the projected result as "only the beginning."The former long-time leader of the National Rally party and incumbent head of its faction at the parliament, Marine Le Pen, welcomed Macron's decision to call a snap election. She also expressed readiness to become France's Prime Minister should the party emerge victorious in the upcoming national polls.
Raphael Glucksmann, the frontrunner for French socialist alliance, which is projected to come third in the EU polls, criticized Macron's move.
"We're ready to exercise power if the French people place their trust in us in these future legislative elections. We're ready to turn the country around, ready to defend the interests of the French, ready to put an end to mass immigration, ready to make the purchasing power of the French a priority."National Rally leader Bardella, who has consistently campaigned for limiting the free movement of migrants by implementing national border controls, and for relaxing EU climate rules, echoed Le Pen's remarks, saying:"France has given its verdict and there is no appeal. The vote demonstrate the determination of our country for the European Union to change direction with the French people expressing a desire for change. Emmanuel Macron is tonight a weakened president."Macron's office justified the decision to dissolve the National Assembly, citing "the historic score of the far-right" and the current "parliamentarian disorder."
The EU parliamentary election concluded on Sunday after four days of voting. Exit polls have indicated a shift towards support for far-right and conservative parties.
Macron, an ardent advocate of aiding and arming Ukraine in the conflict with Russia, has been accused by Le Pen of "playing politics with war" and "hijacking" the hostilities to achieve his electoral agenda. She slammed Macron's decision to allow Ukraine to use Western-supplied weapons to strike deeper into Russian territory, arguing it would create a "staggering danger" for France.
Le Pen, a former three-time presidential candidate, has also consistently opposed Ukraine's admission into NATO and the EU, as well as speaking out against economic sanctions on Russia.
The wolves count the votes.
Guess what's for supper?