French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Sunday that he is dissolving parliament and calling for snap legislative elections after his centrist alliance suffered a significant defeat in the EU elections to the far-right. The first round of elections for the lower house, the National Assembly, is scheduled for June 30, with a second round on July 7, Macron stated in a national address.

Acknowledging the disappointing results for pro-European parties, Macron noted that far-right parties, including the National Rally (RN), secured nearly 40 percent of the vote in France's EU elections. "Far-right parties are gaining ground across the continent, a trend I cannot accept," Macron said.

Expressing his decision to dissolve the National Assembly, Macron said, "This serious and weighty decision reflects my confidence in the French people’s ability to choose wisely for the future generations." He emphasized that the move is a testament to his faith in the nation's democratic process.

The National Rally, led by Jordan Bardella, received between 32.3 and 33 percent of the vote, significantly outpacing Macron's Renaissance party, which garnered between 14.8 and 15.2 percent, according to various polling firms.

Macron had previously warned that a strong far-right presence in the European Parliament could hinder the EU's functioning. The election outcome also casts a spotlight on the 2027 presidential race, where Macron is ineligible to run, and RN leader Marine Le Pen sees a promising opportunity to win the presidency.