Marine Le Pen, the former leader of the National Rally party, has stated her readiness to lead France following President Emmanuel Macron’s decision to dissolve the National Assembly. This move follows a projected landslide defeat for Macron’s Renaissance party in the recent European Parliament elections.
Le Pen, widely considered the frontrunner for the 2027 French presidential election, welcomed Macron’s decision. Her National Rally (RN) party, currently led by Jordan Bardella, secured a significant victory in the EU elections, garnering around one-third of the vote and winning 30 seats in the European Parliament. Macron’s Renaissance alliance trailed far behind with approximately 15% of the vote.
“We’re ready to exercise power if the French people place their trust in us in these future legislative elections,” Le Pen declared at a rally on Sunday, shortly after Macron’s announcement. “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.”
Bardella, the current leader of the National Rally, echoed Le Pen’s sentiments, stating that “France has given its verdict and there is no appeal.” He asserted that the election results reflect the “determination of our country for the European Union to change direction” and demonstrate the French people’s “desire for change.”
“Emmanuel Macron is tonight a weakened president,” Bardella concluded.
Macron’s office justified the decision to dissolve the National Assembly by citing “the historic score of the far-right” and the prevailing “parliamentarian disorder.”
The EU parliamentary elections concluded on Sunday following four days of voting. Exit polls have indicated a shift towards support for far-right and conservative parties.
Macron, a staunch supporter of providing Ukraine with aid and weaponry in its conflict with Russia, has faced criticism from Le Pen, who accused him of “playing politics with war” and “hijacking” the hostilities to further his electoral goals. She condemned Macron’s decision to allow Ukraine to utilize Western-supplied weapons to strike deeper into Russian territory, arguing that it would create a “staggering danger” for France.
Le Pen, a three-time presidential candidate, has consistently opposed Ukraine’s accession to NATO and the EU, and has spoken out against economic sanctions imposed on Russia.