The recent European elections saw a significant win for the far-right National Rally, which outperformed French President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist alliance. This victory has led to the announcement of a parliamentary election in France, scheduled for June 30 and July 7. The announcement of the election has come just ahead of the Paris Olympics, which begin on July 26.
The decision by Macron to call for the election has garnered surprise and concern from many, including Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo. The proximity of the parliamentary election to such a significant international event has left many stunned, including Hidalgo. However, despite this shock, the election is set to proceed as planned.
In addition to Macron’s centrist alliance losing ground in Europe, far-right parties in Italy, Austria, and Germany also made significant gains. An Italian under house arrest in Hungary and a 24-year-old YouTube prankster in Cyprus were also elected as Members of the European Parliament. Ursula von der Leyen, European Commission chief, stated that “the centre is holding,” but this does not seem to be enough to stop the rise of far-right parties across Europe.