Macron dissolves parliament as far‑right triumphs in EU elections
7:37 AM EDT, June 10, 2024
France. Emmanuel Macron's party suffered a major defeat in the European Parliament elections. As a result, the President of France decided to dissolve the parliament and announced elections for June 30. The far-right National Rally, led by Jordan Bardella, achieved a crushing victory in the EU parliamentary elections. Who is the leader of the party?
Immediately after the election results were announced, Macron declared that he would dissolve the National Assembly and call for elections. The first round would be held on June 30, while the second round would follow on July 7. The President of France emphasized that he could not pretend that nothing had happened. He also stated that he watches with concern the support for nationalists, which poses a threat to France and Europe.
Even before the French President announced his decision, the head of the far-right National Rally, 28-year-old Jordan Bardella, called on Sunday for new elections in France. Bardella stated that his party's results are "historic" and indicate a rejection of President Emmanuel Macron's policies.
After counting 95.3% of the votes, it turns out that Bardella's party garnered support at around 32.4%.
Who is Jordan Bardella?
Jordan Bardella was born into a working-class family of Italian descent, who came to France in the 1960s. The politician grew up in public housing in the Gabriel Peri neighborhood in Saint-Denis, a poor district north of Paris known for drugs and violent crime.
Bardella joined the right-wing as a teenager. He later dropped out of college and focused on politics.
The politician is known for his xenophobic views and controversial statements. During the last campaign for the EU parliament, he repeatedly emphasized that he condemns the "rampant Islamism in the country".
Since 2020, he has been in a relationship with Nolwenn Olivier, the daughter of Marie-Caroline Le Pen, Marine Le Pen's older sister, and Philippe Olivier.
Interestingly, Bardella describes himself as an agnostic.
The politician is a favorite among young people in France. He skillfully uses social media to attract younger generations, and he is very effective at it.
French media write about him, referring to him as a "superstar" and "the great transformation of the far-right." When the French weekly JDD compiled a list of the 50 most famous people in France, Bardella was the only politician to make it.
