French President Emmanuel Macron’s choice to initiate early parliamentary elections following a significant defeat in the EU elections is an unexpected and risky move, analysts inform Al Jazeera, describing it as a referendum on the far right.

Yielding to a call from far-right candidate Jordan Bardella, whose National Rally party garnered 31.5 percent in the European Parliament elections, Macron dissolved the French Parliament and called for snap elections.

The preliminary vote is set for June 30, with a subsequent round on July 7.

Experts see this as a significant risk to restore credibility after Macron’s Renaissance party lagged with just 14.6 percent, well behind National Rally’s support.

Gilles Ivaldi, a professor at Sciences Po, notes that Macron hopes voters’ discontent lacks conviction.

Traditionally, a vote for National Rally and its leader Marine Le Pen symbolizes opposition to the government.

“Macron is now telling voters, ‘This is serious,’” Ivaldi said. “It’s not about venting frustration; it’s about genuinely wanting the far right in power.”

Ivaldi, an expert on far-right and populist parties, adds that Macron aims to make voters reconsider supporting National Rally when the stakes are real.

“He hopes fear of the far right will prompt significant changes, possibly uniting moderate factions into a new majority,” Ivaldi explains.

However, this strategy, unseen since 1997, could backfire.

While National Rally capitalized on dissatisfaction with Macron’s administration, it also gained support on issues like immigration, security, and the economy.

Le Pen challenged Macron in both the 2017 and 2022 presidential elections. Though Macron won, his popularity waned as Le Pen’s support increased from 34 to 41 percent.

Rise of the Far Right

The far right’s success in the EU elections shocked governments across the EU, but the defeat was especially harsh for Macron.

Macron’s liberal alliance secured 13 out of France’s 81 seats in the European Parliament, while National Rally claimed 30.

The party's growing popularity isn't new. Its voter base has expanded since the mid-1980s, and it led the previous two EU elections in 2014 and 2019.

This year, however, their victory came with an unprecedented margin.

Sebastien Maillard of Chatham House notes National Rally’s successful rebranding.

“It was once an anti-Semitic party, but now supports Israel,” Maillard said.

They’ve also softened their stance on NATO and the European Union. The party has mostly moved away from the xenophobic rhetoric of its founder, Jean-Marie Le Pen.

Central to this image overhaul is Jordan Bardella, a charismatic 28-year-old who assumed leadership in 2022, allowing Le Pen to focus on her presidential ambitions.

With a large following on TikTok, Bardella is drawing younger supporters.

Bardella presents himself as a humble figure, avoiding controversy while pushing the party’s strong anti-immigration stance, emphasizing "France for the French".

If National Rally secures a majority in parliament, Bardella could become the prime minister.

Polls suggest he is a prominent contender to succeed Macron.

Although Le Pen redefined the party’s image, National Rally lacks "a clear program," Maillard said.

"Macron's snap election aims to force National Rally to detail their agenda, exposing potential risks to French voters."

Going for early elections was a drastic measure, but it might be necessary to tackle ongoing discontent.

“National Rally turned the EU election into a referendum on Macron. Now, Macron is making the snap election a referendum on the far right.”