French President Emmanuel Macron said in an interview broadcast on Tuesday (June 11) that he will not resign regardless of the outcome of the upcoming French parliamentary elections.
During an interview with Le Figaro Magazine on Monday afternoon, the 46-year-old Macron was asked what he would do if Marine Le Pen’s far-right party, the National Rally, were to win in the French National Assembly elections and demand his resignation.
“The National Rally did not write the constitution,” Macron said. “Regardless of the outcome, the system is clear, and the position of the president is clear. For me, it is inviolable.”
He mentioned that he is prepared to debate with Le Pen again, as she was his opponent in the second round of the past two presidential elections.
Macron told Le Figaro Magazine that he is ready to defend his party, Renaissance.
On Sunday, Macron’s centrist alliance lost to the National Rally in the European Parliament elections. Following this, the president announced the dissolution of the French National Assembly and early elections.
The elections will take place in two rounds on June 30 and July 7. It is believed that this legislative election will be a high-risk gamble.
When asked if it was “crazy” to make this decision in such a short time, Macron responded, “I only think about France. It is the right decision, in line with the national interest.”
“I tell the French people: ‘Do not be afraid, go out and vote,'” Macron added.
Polls had previously predicted that Macron’s party would fail in the European Parliament elections, and now the polls show the National Rally leading in the upcoming French parliamentary elections.
However, Macron told Le Figaro Magazine, “I have never believed in polls.”
Macron expressed that a new campaign is underway, and the European Parliament election results should not be used to judge the French parliamentary elections.
Prior to the interview broadcast in Le Figaro Magazine, there were reports that Macron was considering resigning, leading to a sell-off of French government bonds.