As parties from the right and far-right gain ground in the European Union's latest parliamentary elections, French president Emmanuel Macron has called a snap election. It's set off a political earthquake in France, after his party suffered a humbling defeat at the hands of the far-right.
As parties from the right and far-right gain ground in the European Union's latest parliamentary elections, French president Emmanuel Macron has called a snap election. It's set off a political earthquake in France, after his party suffered a humbling defeat at the hands of the far-right. While Europe's centrist People's Party still dominates, the results reflect a growing trend in the West toward more radical alternatives to mainstream parties.
"In other words, the centre is holding, but it is also true that the extremes on the left and on the right have gained support. And this is why the result comes with great responsibility for the parties in the centre." Every five years, European citizens cast their ballots to determine who will make up the 720 members of the European parliament.Around 400 million people are eligible to vote, but seeing as voting is not compulsory, only a fraction of that number typically cast their votes.
It's a risky move, with projections showing the far-right National Rally earned more than double the votes of his centrist alliance.President of the National Rally Party in the National Assembly Marine Le Pen says she welcomes President Macron's decision. "I'm of Lebanese origin. I was born in Lebanon. People like me – on top of which I'm a Muslim – we'll be the first victims of Emmanuel Macron's risky bet if, tomorrow, we find ourselves with a far-right Prime Minister in our country. Minorities, queers, women, immigrants are going to suffer from this risky bet by Emmanuel Macron. I think it's a very dangerous game. He's adding fuel to the fire.
"I want to say that I am proud of the result of Brothers of Italy, extraordinarily proud of the result of Brothers of Italy, but I am also very proud of the result of Forza Italia, of the result of the Lega. I am proud that the majority governing this nation has managed to grow together."
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