French President Emmanuel Macron Calls for Alliance Against Far-Right: Snap Election Announced
French President Emmanuel Macron has urged all parties to form an alliance against Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally and resist the spirit of defeatism. Macron announced a surprise snap election in response to the far-right's large gains in European elections. With the far-right at a historic high and the French political class plunged into uncertainty, Macron dissolved parliament and called the election to prevent the rise of extremes. He emphasized his commitment to keeping the far-right out of power, stating that he trusts the French people to vote against it. Macron acknowledged the anger expressed in the European election vote, with the National Rally securing over 31% of the vote. He addressed the challenges faced by workers and pensioners, cautioning against the policies of the far-right which he believed would lead to impoverishment and harm the economy. Macron called for clarity from the electorate, expressing hope for a broader governing coalition led by his centrist grouping. A poll showed that 61% of French people supported the snap election following the far-right's success. Macron highlighted the existence of extreme viewpoints on both the far-right and the far-left, cautioning against alliances with parties such as Jean-Luc Mélenchon's left-wing La France Insoumise. He criticized the potential alliance between Éric Ciotti's Les Républicains and Le Pen, presenting his centrist bloc as the alternative with a unified vision for the country. Macron encouraged the electorate to reject extremes and focus on building a shared, sincere project beneficial for the nation. On key election issues, Macron emphasized the need for a debate on secularism and called for simple decisions to address security challenges like unaccompanied minors and juvenile violence. He stressed the importance of a justice system that responds effectively and swiftly to ensure clarity and safety through increased resources and clearer sentences.
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