Fall ballot on horizon? Macron contemplates dissolving parliament

French President Emmanuel Macron is exploring the possibility of dissolving parliament and holding snap legislative elections, potentially as soon as this fall.

The idea stems from Macron’s efforts to regain political momentum and boost his domestic popularity, which has been aided by his growing international presence, particularly in the wake of rising geopolitical tensions, Caliber.Az reports citing foreign media.

Macron has been consulting with key figures within his inner circle about this potential move, though discussions remain in the consultative phase, and no final decision has been made, according to people familiar with the talks. Among the options being considered is the possibility of waiting until 2026 to dissolve parliament, aligning legislative elections with the scheduled municipal vote. However, one individual familiar with the discussions dismissed this idea as “a bad idea.”

In December, Macron told party leaders that he would aim to avoid calling a snap election before his term ends in 2027. The French presidency declined to comment on the potential dissolution of parliament, but a person close to Macron reaffirmed that his position on this matter had not changed.

A snap election, while offering the potential to regain control of parliament, could also introduce significant risks. Since Macron's disappointing election result in July 2022, which fractured the National Assembly and left it without a majority, the country has experienced months of political instability. Such an election could also provide an opportunity for Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally to gain further ground, possibly even seizing control of the government. The next legislative elections are currently scheduled for 2029.

Macron’s approval ratings have risen following his increased international visibility, particularly his leadership in the response to President Donald Trump's geopolitical moves. A March poll by IFOP for Ouest-France revealed Macron’s popularity had climbed to 31 per cent, up seven points from February, a sign that his recent diplomatic efforts are resonating with the French public.

However, some of Macron’s allies have expressed concern that an early election could further erode his parliamentary majority, especially given the significant gains made by the National Rally in the last election.

By Vafa Guliyeva