site.btaPresident Macron Dissolves Parliament after Far-Right Victory in European Elections

French President Emmanuel Macron announced the dissolution of Parliament Sunday after the victory of the far-right in the European elections, where his Renaissance party came in a distant second place with half the result of the National Rally.

"In a few minutes, I will sign a decree to call parliamentary elections, which will be held on June 30 for the first round and on July 7 for the second," the head of State said in a televised address after the results of the European elections were put out.

The coalition led by Macron's Renaissance party received just over 15% of the vote in these elections.

He called the decision "difficult" but said he had faith in his countrymen, in democracy and in France. "I have understood your message, I have heard your concerns and I will not leave them unanswered," the head of State said in the address broadcast on France's leading television stations.

Marine Le Pen, the chairwoman of the far-right National Rally group in the national legislature, welcomed Macron's decision in a statement from the party's headquarters, where she is the informal leader. "The French people have spoken and this historic election shows that when the people vote, the people win," she said.

Her party won the European elections with 32% of the vote, according to two exit polls.