Macron's message: New elections in France

Macron calls for new elections - Le Pen cheers: "Ready to take power"

Dennis Jörnmark Callstam,

Knut Sahlin Ekberg

Updated 21.50 | Published 21.06

Marine Le Pen's far-right party is headed for a landslide victory in the EU elections - now Emmanuel Macron is calling for new elections.

The French Parliament is dissolved.

- I cannot pretend that nothing has happened, says Macron.

At 8 p.m., the French polling station polls came in - and they showed a real cold shower for incumbent President Emmanuel Macron. Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally party is expected to get over 30 percent of the vote.

With that, the nationalists become by far the largest French delegation in the EU. Macron's own party Renässans gets the second most votes but is far from the size of the National Assembly. About 15 percent of the French are estimated to have cast their vote there.

- Emmanuel Macron is a weakened president tonight, National Assembly top candidate Jordan Bardella said after the results were announced.

Macron announces that a new election will be held in two rounds this summer, on June 30 and July 7. Photo: Lewis Joly/AP

New elections during the summer

Emmanuel Macron's minority government has long been heavily criticized. There has been speculation as to whether the president will call an early new election. After the rock-hard boot from the voters on Sunday night, similar demands came again.

National gathering immediately propped up new elections. Macron chose at 9 p.m. to send out a speech from the Elysée Palace.

- I cannot pretend that nothing has happened, says the French president in the speech.

He announced that a new election will be held in two rounds this summer, on June 30 and July 7. The French Parliament is dissolved.

- I have decided to return the choice regarding our parliamentary future to you, says Emmanuel Macron.

Marine Le Pen's far-right party is headed for a landslide victory in the EU elections. Photo: Lewis Joly/AP

Le Pen's jubilation: "Ready to take power"

The announcement of new elections was received with joy from National Assembly's most well-known front figure, Marine Le Pen. She addressed a cheering crowd after Macron made his remarks.

- We are ready to take power if the French give us their trust, says Le Pen.

The focus is largely on migration issues.

- We are ready to exercise power to end mass immigration and prioritize purchasing power, to bring France back to life.

The expected record numbers give wind in the sails.

- This shows that when people vote - then people win, says Marine Le Pen.

Among the other French parties, the Socialist PS appears to be growing, going from 12 to 14 representatives in the European Parliament. At the same time, party representatives are worried about the success of the far right in the election.

- We will continue to stand our ground now that the extreme right is growing and there is war in Europe, says the party's top name Raphael Glucksmann.