French President Emmanuel Macron dissolved the National Assembly after Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally party secured a resounding victory in the 2024 European Parliament elections, securing over 30% of the votes.[1][2] This move by Macron carries risks, as his centrist La République En Marche! (REM) party could suffer further losses in the subsequent parliamentary elections, potentially hindering the remainder of his presidential term until 2027.[2]

The European elections saw significant gains for far-right parties across the continent, dealing substantial defeats to mainstream pro-EU forces like Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, whose Social Democrats finished behind the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.[2][3] The far-right's strong performance could make it a major player in EU policies on migration, security, and climate change.[2]

While pro-European groups remained dominant overall, the Greens suffered losses, and Macron's Renew group also saw a decline.[2] The hard right's focus on migration and crime resonated with voters, consolidating its position as a significant political force in the EU.[2]

Sources [1] https://www.wsj.com/world/europe/frances-macron-dissolves-national-assembly-after-le-pen-victory-in-european-elections-ff76fbac?reflink=article_copyURL_share&st=jsx389tgernekan [2] EU Election: Projection shows far-right parties making big gains ... https://apnews.com/article/eu-election-right-migration-climate-polls-vote-0fbfcb7bd987008e802d70f759fa870b [3] Live updates: European election results 2024 - CNN https://www.cnn.com/europe/live-news/european-election-results-06-09-24-intl/index.html [4] CBS News - Breaking news, 24/7 live streaming news & top stories https://www.cbsnews.com [5] Maryland election results for 2024 primary: follow the latest vote totals https://www.cbsnews.com/baltimore/news/maryland-primary-election-results-2024/ [6] European elections result in gains for far-left and far-right - CBS News https://www.cbsnews.com/video/european-elections-reveal-gains-for-far-left-and-far-right/