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Radio France Internationale
Radio France Internationale
National
Jessica Phelan with RFI

Why did Macron call snap elections and what does it mean for France?

French President Emmanuel Macron delivers a televised speech announcing snap parliamentary polls in the wake of the European elections on 9 June 2024. © REUTERS - Christian Hartmann

Polls had barely closed for the European elections when President Emmanuel Macron called voters back to the ballot box to elect a new French parliament – three years ahead of schedule. What's behind his surprise decision, and what happens next?

"After today, I cannot act as if nothing had happened," Macron told viewers in a prime-time address to the nation on Sunday night, reacting to results from EU elections that showed a surge for his far-right opponents.

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