Emmanuel Macron under fire for ‘spoiling beautiful moment’ with move | World | News
Emmanuel Macron has been accused of “spoiling” the positive mood in France created by the upcoming Olympic Games.
In the wake of the major gains made by the far-right National Rally party in the European election on June 9, the French President announced the dissolution of the National Assembly and called for a new legislative election.
The vote, to take place over two rounds on June 30 and July 7, stunned many, even within his Renaissance party.
Anne Hidalgo, the mayor of Paris and a member of the French Socialist Party, was among those shocked by the timing of the election, saying she had a “very hard time” with Mr Macron’s announcement.
She told the Ouest-France news outlet: “I was convinced that it [the election] would take place later.”
The Olympics, to take place in Paris between July 26 and August 11, a few weeks before the Paralympic Games are to kick off on August 28, are “a gathering of humanity around sport, in fraternity, it is positive in the period we are going through”.
Hitting out at the French President, she added: “Why spoil this beautiful moment with this election decided at the last minute, without consulting anyone?”
Speaking earlier this month, Mr Macron said he didn’t think the vote would spoil the mood of the country ahead of the Games.
During a press conference on the sidelines of the G7 summit hosted by Italy, the French president even used the Olympics to campaign, as he hit out at the National Rally saying French people will be looking for “continuity” and will choose officials “who have prepared for these Games” rather than people “who are not ready at all”.
Mr Macron’s controversial decision has been described as a major gamble that could land Jordan Bardella, president of the far-right party since 2022, the role of Prime Minister of France.
Aged only 28, Mr Bardella took over the role from Marine Le Pen, who stepped down as president to launch her presidential campaign.