French Macron rules out abandoning early elections “regardless of the result”

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In an interview published on Tuesday, French President Emmanuel Macron ruled out resigning from office regardless of the outcome of the early elections he called to stop the growing popularity of the far-right National Rally (RN).

“It is not the SC that writes the constitution, nor its spirit,” he told Figaro Magazine when asked what he would do if the SC won the legislative elections on June 30 and July 7 and called for his resignation.

“The institutions are clear, the president’s place is clear and it is also clear what the outcome will be,” he added.

He announced that he was ready for another debate with Marine Le Pen from the RN, against whom he ran in the second round of the last two presidential elections.

“Of course! I am ready to wear our colors and defend our project,” he told the magazine on Monday afternoon.

Macron laughed off the question of whether he was “crazy” to dissolve parliament and call for elections at such short notice.

“I only think about France. It was the right decision and was in the interest of the country,” he said.

“And I say to the French: ‘Don’t be afraid, go and vote’.”

After losing his majority in parliament due to his re-election for a second term in 2022, the president told Figaro Magazine that he would be ready to “reach out to all those who are ready to come and govern”, without giving further details.

Macron called for early elections after his centrist alliance was crushed by the far right in Sunday’s European Parliament elections.

Polls predicted defeat and now once again show the SC leading in the upcoming legislative vote.

“I have never believed in polls,” Macron said.

“A new campaign is starting and we cannot look at the results of individual constituencies in the context of the results of the European elections.”