After massive defeat in EU vote, French President Macron announces parliamentary elections on June 30

Initial estimates showed the far-right National Rally (RN) party won 31.5 percent of the vote, more than double Macron's Renaissance party, which came second with 15.2 percent, while the Socialist Party came third with 14.3 percent.

RN leader Jordan Bardella called on Macron to dissolve the French parliament in a celebratory speech after the exit polls were released.

“This unprecedented defeat of the current government marks the end of a cycle and the first day of the post-Macron era,” Bardella said, according to CNN.

Meanwhile, Macron announced in an hour-long national address that he would dissolve the lower house of parliament in France and hold parliamentary elections. According to Macron, there will be two phases: the first on June 30 and the second on July 7.

“I have decided by voting to give you back the choice of your parliamentary future. That is why I am dissolving the National Assembly this evening,” Macron said in an announcement on Sunday.

“This decision is grave and heavy. But above all it is an act of faith. My dear countrymen, I trust in you. In the ability of the French people to make the most equitable decision,” the French president said.

Parliamentary elections in the French system are used to elect the 577 members of the lower house, the National Assembly.

The country's president is elected through separate elections, which are not expected to be held again until 2027.

The Ensemble coalition, which also included Macron's Renaissance Party, was unable to secure a clear majority in legislative elections held in 2022 and had to seek outside assistance.

The EU elections represent the world's second-largest democratic exercise, behind only India in terms of scale. The EU has around 400 million voters who will elect 720 members of the European Parliament, stretching from the Arctic Circle to the borders of Africa and Asia.

The results of these elections will shape policies on global issues ranging from climate change and defense to migration and international relations with major countries such as China and the United States.