The problem, however, is dissolving parliament is exactly how French politics ended up in this mess in the first place. The political landscape hasn’t much changed since last summer, so elections could very well just deliver another hung parliament.
Before Monday, Macron looked unlikely to send voters back to the polls. He has repeatedly, including as recently as last week, reiterated his wish for Bayrou to remain in office and for political leaders to work together.
However, the chorus of critics calling for Macron to dissolve parliament is growing louder. Many think they can win, and it’s not inconceivable that one political force could snag an absolute majority.
Socialist heavyweight Boris Vallaud said his party was preparing for Macron to call a new vote, and Le Pen wrote on X that “only a snap election will allow the French to choose their own destiny, one with the National Rally.”
The longtime far-right icon’s statement was a bit surprising given that she is currently barred from standing in elections after being found guilty of embezzlement, a charge she denies and is appealing.
Resign
The chaos is fueling fresh calls from the political fringes for Macron to stand down —just as it did following the snap elections last summer.