France's Macron dissolves parliament, announces snap polls

By Nur Asena Erturk

French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday dissolved the National Assembly and called snap elections after the far-right National Rally (RN) inflicted a heavy defeat on his camp in European elections.

The first round of the legislative elections will be held on June 30, and the second round on July 7, Macron said in a broadcast speech after the far-right party National Rally got 32% of the votes in the EU elections.

"The rise of the nationalists and demagogues is dangerous not only for our nation but also for Europe," Macron said.