EMMANUEL Macron has called for a snap French election after a heavy defeat in the European Parliamentary vote.
Macron has dissolved the National Assembly as he has warned that the far-right are threatening the future of France and Europe.
In an address to the nation from the Elysee presidential palace, Macron said: “I’ve decided to give you back the choice of our parliamentary future through the vote. I am therefore dissolving the National Assembly.
"This decision is serious, heavy. But it is above all an act of confidence."
The legislative elections are set to take place in two rounds on June 30 and July 7.
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The move comes after the exit polls predicted that the far-right National Rally Party has a strong chance of beating Macron's pro-European centrists.
Marine Le Pen's National Rally gained 31.1 per cent of the popular vote - a double of Macron's Renaissance coalition.
The voter turnout at the elections was 51 per cent but the number might change as more member states were yet to be included.
Jordan Bardella, the National Rally's lead candidate, has backed Macron's call as he took a dig at the French leader.
The 28-year-old said: "Emmanuel Macron is this evening a weakened president.
"The president cannot remain deaf to the message sent by the French tonight."
Le pen was ecstatic following the announcement as she is hoping to replace Macron in 2027 when his second term comes to an end.
She said at the rally: "The French people have sent a very clear message.
"By placing the National Rally list at a historic level, the French people have sent a very clear message to Macronist power, which is disintegrating, election after election."
The extreme right are projected to dominate the next European Parliament which traditionally has more members from the conservative European People's party.
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Macron has expressed his fears of growing popularity of the far-right movement in France.
He said: "The rise of nationalists, of demagogues, is a danger for our nation, but also for our Europe, for France's place in Europe and in the world."
Le Pen has been a runner up in two previous presidential elections in 2022 and 2017.
She took over the reigns from her father, Jean-Marie Le Pen, who founded the party in 1972 and ran for presidency in 2002.
She is credited for changing the National Rally's image in the eyes of the French public after years of demonisation and accusations of antisemitism and racism.
The sinister reputation followed the National Rally after it was founded by members who were linked to Nazi forces during the Second World War.
The latest vote results suggest Le Pen has been successful in her efforts to bring in more moderate voters and shift the National Rally into mainstream.
