In a surprising move, President Emmanuel Macron of France has dissolved the country's parliament, the National Assembly, and announced a snap election. This decision comes after the far-right National Rally (RN) party emerged victorious in the European parliamentary elections, dealing a significant blow to Macron's Renaissance party.

According to initial projections, the RN party secured 31.5% of the vote, more than double the share of the Renaissance party, which managed to secure second place with 15.2% of the vote. The Socialist party came in third with 14.3% of the vote. The shocking results prompted RN leader Jordan Bardella to call for the dissolution of the French parliament, citing a "stinging disavowal" for President Macron.

Responding swiftly, Macron addressed the nation and announced the dissolution of the National Assembly. The French president expressed his decision as an act of trust in the French people and their ability to make informed decisions. The first round of the parliamentary elections is scheduled for June 30, followed by a second round on July 7.

Under the French system, parliamentary elections are crucial in selecting the 577 members of the National Assembly. Macron's Renaissance party had previously fallen short of a majority in the 2022 elections and had to seek support from other parties to form a coalition government.

Marine Le Pen, leader of the RN party and Macron's opponent in previous presidential elections, welcomed the announcement of the elections. Le Pen expressed readiness to take power and emphasized priorities such as defending French interests, addressing immigration concerns, and focusing on enhancing the purchasing power of the French population.

Macron has been ruling with a relative majority since his second term began in 2022, often invoking Article 49.3 of the French constitution to push legislation without a vote. This approach has drawn criticism from opposition lawmakers and a significant portion of the French public.

The decision to dissolve the parliament is a rare occurrence in French politics, with the last instance happening in 1997 when Jacques Chirac lost his majority, paving the way for the Socialists to come into power.

A source close to Macron emphasized that the predicted results show a "republican majority" in France, composed of those who do not align with far-right ideologies. The source expressed the need to engage with the French people, convince them, and address their concerns.

The upcoming snap elections will undoubtedly be crucial for the future of French politics, as the country decides on the composition of its National Assembly and potentially reshapes the political landscape.