President Emmanuel Macron of France made a bold move after a crushing defeat in the European elections by the extreme right. Macron dissolved the lower house of Parliament and called for new legislative elections to begin on June 30.
The European Parliament election results were devastating for Macron’s centrist party, projected to finish with less than half the support of Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally. Macron expressed concern over the rise of nationalists and demagogues, calling it a danger for France and Europe.
The decision by Macron comes at a time of deep political uncertainty in France, just weeks before the Paris Olympics are set to begin. The far-right parties made significant gains in the European elections, with the far-right Alternative for Germany projected to become the country’s second-ranking party.
In Israel, Benny Gantz, a key member of the war cabinet, resigned from the government over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s handling of the war in Gaza. Gantz’s departure may embolden far-right ministers in the coalition, leading to further political tensions in the region.
Meanwhile, in India, Narendra Modi was sworn in for a third term as prime minister after losing his parliamentary majority. Modi adopted a more modest tone and emphasized the need for consensus in running the nation.
The geopolitical tensions were also evident in the T20 Cricket World Cup, where India beat Pakistan in a highly anticipated match. The rivalry between the two cricketing nations was heightened by political hostility, with more than 400 million people expected to watch the match.
Overall, the recent political developments in France, Israel, and India reflect a growing trend of nationalist and far-right movements gaining momentum in various parts of the world, leading to increased uncertainty and tension on the global stage.
