“This is a historic moment for the country and the masks have come off”

French President Emmanuel Macron launched this Wednesday the campaign for the next legislative elections, to be held on June 30 and July 7, which he had already called after the extreme right. Marine Le Pen swept away last Sunday Among Europeans. Macron is seeking support going into the election and has reached out to parties that “share republican values” in a bid to counter an “unnatural coalition at the extreme level”.

“This is a historic moment for the country. Since Sunday, the masks have fallen off,” Macron said at the start of the press conference. He was referring to the search for alliances on both sides: the extreme right and the left. Above all, to Possibility of a deal between Republicans and Le PenAs suggested yesterday by its president, Eric Ciotti.

This formation, sister of the Spanish PP, had always refused to do so. Many leaders oppose crossing that red line, and the party could split. “Ciotti has turned his back on the legacy of de Gaulle, Chirac and Sarkozy (…) he has made a pact with the devilMacron said, referring to these former presidents.

The press conference is being held outside the Elysee, as Macron is not attending as president this time. In the front row, he was supported by the hardliners of the government, the ministers of economy, interior, justice or foreign affairs, and the leaders of the parties that form the presidential majority.

On Sunday, the National Regroupment candidate, Jordan Berdella It received 32% support in the European elections, and the far right has never been so close to coming to power. That will happen if Le Pen wins a majority in the legislative elections.

French to avoid it wants a “clear majority” of the center of the parliamentary arc, “In the face of these extremes,” he called for a “union of moderate parties” that “clearly defends the values ​​of the republic and seeks a strong France and Europe.”

Macron is thus promoting organizations such as the Socialist Party, which has verbalized its discomfort with some of the positions of La Francia Insoumise (extreme left) or the Republicans themselves, who until yesterday were critical of the government in carrying out some of its reforms. “I don’t want to give the keys to power to the far right in 2027”Where is it?

The government does not have a majority in the Assembly. Practically unable to govern for several months, it is divided into three blocks: the left-wing parties (Socialists, Environmentalists, Communists and then the extreme left of France Insoumise), the extreme right of Marine Le Pen and Eric Zemmour and the Presidential Majority. Macron’s party (Renaissance) is supported by two other centrists, Modem and Horizons. Then there are the Republicans, the traditional right wing, supported by Macron, but also the extreme right of Le Pen.

Macron has explained the decision to dissolve the assembly. In the elections, “people have expressed their concern about insecurity, immigration, purchasing power (…) their daily difficulties. We cannot remain indifferent to this message and we have to provide a democratic response,” he said.

He believes that “there is an anger expressed in the elections” that “it would have been irresponsible not to listen to it.” “This disruption will allow things to become clearerWe are at a time when the country is facing challenges. And it cannot be blocked by extremes,” he said.