France’s Macron says he won’t quit even if his party loses early election vote | Wilnesh News

French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed on Wednesday that he would not step down if his party suffered defeat in the recent snap elections for France’s parliament.

Macron told reporters the possibility of that happening “never existed,” calling the suggestion “ridiculous” and saying he wanted to nip the idea in the bud, according to French reports translated by CNBC.

Macron dissolved France’s parliament on Sunday and called for legislative elections later in June, following a crushing defeat in European Parliament elections over the weekend that saw major victories for right-wing parties in several countries including France, Germany and Austria.

Macron said he “does not intend to campaign any more in the legislative elections than in 2017 and 2022” and would leave the task to French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal and “the majority leadership present people”. side. “

Snap elections are a gamble for Macron, who has described the campaign as a choice for the French people between nationalism and demagoguery or liberal values ​​and a strong, united European Union.

The results of the European Parliament elections showed that voters’ enthusiasm for the European Union is waning, which analysts say is due at least in part to growing dissatisfaction over issues such as immigration, the cost of living and crime.

“For me, I have always believed that a united, strong and independent Europe is good for France, but this is a situation that I cannot accept,” Macron said on Sunday.

France’s right-wing National Rally party (NR) won a historic 31.37% of the French vote in the European Parliament elections, more than double the 14.6% of Macron’s Ennahda party.

A possible victory for the BNP in snap elections later this month would not remove Macron from power – he would remain president but would have to appoint a new prime minister from the party, which would severely weaken him Power over domestic affairs.

Analysts said Macron’s move appeared to be a tactical gamble, with the president hoping that either the French national vote would not reflect the European Parliament’s vote, or that the specter of a far-right victory would mobilize centrist votes and prevent the National Party from winning.

Many observers also suspect that Macron believes that even if the NRP does win, the French public will be disappointed with his leadership by the time the 2027 presidential election approaches.

Some political commentators and critics have called the president’s approach arrogant, ego-driven and reckless; apparently sparking outrage among members of his own party.

In a national address announcing his decision to dissolve parliament on Sunday, Macron said he had “heard” the concerns of voters and “will not turn a blind eye to them… France needs an absolute majority to act calmly and harmoniously.”

The first round of voting will be held on June 30 and the second round on July 7.

—CNBC’s Holly Ellyatt contributed to this report.