Written by Nathan Carpenter.
President Emmanuel Macron, facing a critical juncture in his leadership, has firmly declared that he will not resign, even if he is defeated in the upcoming French elections. This declaration came shortly after he dissolved the national parliament and called for an immediate election. The move was a response to his significant loss in the European elections, where the National Rally (RN), led by Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella, secured twice as many votes as Macron’s party. This marked the highest vote share for any French political party in four decades.
As France gears up to elect a new Parliament on June 30, after a brisk three-week campaign, Macron has positioned this election as a decisive moment. Despite the potential of a strong showing from the RN and the emergence of a right-leaning coalition rallying behind Le Pen, Macron remains resolute. His stance is clear: win or lose, he intends to continue governing, even if it means doing so without the support of parliament.
The Constitutional Basis of Macron’s Position
In a bold assertion of his intentions to remain in office regardless of the election outcomes, Macron has invoked the French constitution. He emphasizes that neither the RN nor public sentiment dictates constitutional mandates. “It is not the RN which writes the Constitution, nor the spirit of it. The institutions are clear, the place of the president, whatever the result, is also clear,” Macron stated. This constitutional safeguard allows him to maintain his position, regardless of the electoral results, highlighting a critical aspect of French governance that separates personal defeat from institutional continuity.
Macron’s call for the election was a strategic move to “clarify” the political landscape in France. He is not just participating; he is actively campaigning with the aim to secure a victory. By encouraging the French populace to participate in the voting process, he underscores the importance of their voice in this pivotal election. The potential appointment of Jordan Bardella as Prime Minister, should RN win, looms as a significant change, the full implications of which remain uncertain for France’s future.
Our Take
Macron’s decision to cling to power, even in the face of potential electoral defeat, presents a worrying precedent for democratic governance. It suggests a scenario where the will of the people might be overshadowed by constitutional technicalities, potentially leading to a governance crisis if he lacks parliamentary support. This insistence on maintaining power regardless of public disapproval could be perceived as a disregard for democratic norms, which ideally would prioritize the electorate’s sentiment in guiding leadership decisions.
French politics is at a crossroads, with the upcoming elections posing more questions than answers about the direction the country will take. Macron’s unwavering stance adds a layer of complexity to an already turbulent political climate, setting the stage for a series of events that could redefine France’s democratic processes.
