President Emmanuel Macron, following a significant loss to the far-right in the European Parliament elections, made the decision to dissolve the lower house of Parliament in France. This move came as Macron's centrist party was expected to secure less than half the support received by Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally, indicating a major shift in political dynamics in France.

Macron's statement about the dangers posed by the rise of nationalists and demagogues reflects his concerns for both France and the broader European landscape. The decision to call for legislative elections starting on June 30 stems from Macron's acknowledgment that the previous election results necessitate a reevaluation of politics as usual. Aurelien Breeden, a colleague covering France, highlighted the challenges faced by Macron's domestic agenda due to a weak majority in the lower house of Parliament and suggested that the strong performance of the far-right played a role in pushing Macron towards initiating new elections.