French President Emmanuel Macron Dissolves National Assembly, Calls for Snap Elections
In a surprising move, French President Emmanuel Macron has dissolved the National Assembly and called for snap legislative elections following his party’s defeat in the European Parliament elections. The elections will be held on 30 June and 7 July, just weeks before the Paris Olympics begin.
In a national address from the Elysee presidential palace, Macron stated, ‘I’ve decided to give you back the choice of our parliamentary future through the vote. I am therefore dissolving the National Assembly.’ The decision came after the far-right National Rally (RN) party, led by Marine Le Pen, emerged victorious over Macron’s pro-European centrists.
Political Upheaval Raises Concerns about Olympics Preparations
The political upheaval has raised concerns about potential instability affecting the preparations for the 2024 Paris Olympics. However, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach and Paris 2024 organizers have assured that the Olympics will remain unaffected.
During a run-up event in Paris, Bach remarked, ‘France is used to holding elections, they will do it one more time, there will be a new government and everyone will support the Olympics.’ He emphasized that the unity among French political leaders in supporting the Games remains intact, saying, ‘I have no indication whatsoever that this unity will break now only a couple of days before the Games open.’
Paris Officials Express Concerns, Assure Commitment to Games
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, however, expressed concerns about Macron’s decision, describing it as ‘extremely unsettling.’ She added, ‘Like a lot of people I was stunned to hear the president decide to do a dissolution (of parliament).’ Hidalgo pointed out that the president’s move ‘could not continue as before’ following the disappointing European Parliament election results but criticized the timing, calling it ‘one more blow.’
Paris 2024 chief Tony Estanguet reassured that his team is ‘more determined than ever’ to ensure the success of the Games. He noted, ‘There were around 10 elections since we launched the candidacy for the Olympics and we understood how to work with the public actors.’
The Paris 2024 organizers issued a statement asserting their readiness to deliver the Games after seven years of preparation, saying, ‘With just a few weeks to go before the Games, we have entered a highly operational phase. All the major decisions have been taken a long time ago.’
Security Concerns Linger Amidst Political Turmoil
The upcoming elections have raised questions about the government in place during the Olympics, especially with key ministries like transport and interior playing crucial roles in the event’s security and logistics. The two-stage election will also mobilize hundreds of thousands of security forces, further straining resources.
Jean-Loup Chappelet, an Olympics expert at the University of Lausanne, downplayed the potential impact of cabinet changes, telling AFP, ‘Nothing will change between now and 8 July in the preparations of the Games and afterwards it will be absolutely too late to change anything.’ However, David Roizen from the Jean Jaures Foundation warned that the political turmoil could shift the focus from the positive aspects of the Games to security concerns.
‘It risks ending the positive dynamic, meaning that people only talk about the Olympics from a security perspective,’ he told AFP.
Elections, Olympics Preparations to Coexist
While the snap elections introduce a layer of uncertainty, the robust preparations and unwavering support from key stakeholders suggest that France is well-equipped to handle both the political and logistical challenges ahead. The Paris Olympics are set to feature an unprecedented open-air ceremony on the river Seine, with organizers promising ‘iconic’ Games against the historic backdrop of Paris.
Worries persist over security arrangements for the opening ceremony, the cleanliness of the river Seine for open-water swimming events, and potential strike threats from trade unions. Nonetheless, the French government and the IOC remain confident that the Games will be a success.
