Emmanuel Macron’s political gamble has backfired.
When Emmanuel Macron called for France’s snap election on 9 June, in response to the rising support for Marine Le Pen’s National Rally (RN) in the European elections, it was clear that it was a political gamble. The RN had gained significant ground in recent months, while Macron’s centrist alliance, which had lost its parliamentary majority in 2022, was plagued by internal divisions and instability. Macron saw the unexpected elections as a chance to provide a “moment of clarification” for voters, allowing them to choose their political future. However, the first round of voting on Sunday night suggests that the gamble has backfired.
Initial exit polls from Ipsos revealed a stunning result: Le Pen’s RN took first place with 34.2% of the vote, a decisive victory in the first round. The New Popular Front (NFP), a left-wing alliance led by Jean-Luc Mélenchon’s party, secured second place with 29.1%, while Macron’s Ensemble coalition lagged behind with just 21.5%. Although the final count may still shift, particularly with unusually high voter turnout, the results already show that Macron’s hopes for a swift political reset have not materialized.
Instead of boosting his own standing, the election outcome illustrates a growing discontent with Macron’s leadership and an unwillingness among voters to reward his risky move. As the second round of voting approaches, France faces an uncertain future, with the far-right poised to assert more influence on the political landscape.