French Elections
On June 9th, French president Emmanuel Macron dissolved the French parliament and called for snap elections, to be held in two stages on June 30th and July 7th.
Macron wants to regain a decisive majority (which he lost in the 2022 legislative elections), and he claims that voters will reject the far right when given the chance.
Critics predict that Macron will only weaken his position further, and might lose his governing majority entirely.
The Economist
Why France’s president called a snap election
The centre wants to weaken Marine Le Pen’s hard right, in or out of power | Europe
France 24
A ‘non’ for Mélenchon? France’s left seeks unifying figure ahead of legislative elections
Three-time French presidential candidate and hard-left firebrand Jean-Luc Mélenchon on Wednesday said he is "capable" of becoming the country’s next prime minister should a leftwing union win a majority…
France's Republicans ditch leader over far-right alliance deal
The party ousts Eric Ciotti after he called for an alliance with Marine Le Pen's National Rally.
Le Monde.fr
Snap elections in France: How it works, precedents, and consequences
Following the far-right Rassemblement National's sweeping victory in the European elections, Emmanuel Macron has decided to dissolve to the Assemblée Nationale for the first time since 1997.
WSJ:
Why Bond Markets Are So Spooked by the French Election
France’s deteriorating finances are at risk if voters choose populists who pledge even more government spending.