Rise of Far-Right: France’s Parliamentary Election Just Days Before the Paris Olympics

The upcoming parliamentary election in France, scheduled to take place on June 30 and July 7, has caused shock among many. French President Emmanuel Macron announced the decision to hold the election after the far-right National Rally won the European election in France. This snap decision comes just ahead of the Paris Olympics which start on July 26.

In recent European elections, far-right parties in Italy, Austria, and Germany made significant gains. The National Rally outperformed Macron’s centrist alliance, winning more than double the votes. Ursula von der Leyen, European Commission chief, stated that “the center is holding,” but this was not enough to stop the rise of far-right groups. An Italian under house arrest in Hungary and a 24-year-old YouTube prankster in Cyprus were also elected as Members of the European Parliament.

The proximity of the parliamentary election to such a significant international event has raised concerns among many people, including Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo. Despite her shock at Macron’s decision to call for the vote so close to the Olympics, she has stated that she will respect it and work towards ensuring its success.