European Parliament elections 2024 in France

Summary:

Information Guide focusing on the election for the European Parliament held in France on 9 June 2024, the preceding electoral campaign and its aftermath.

Further information:

This election takes place as part of the wider European Parliament elections held in June 2024 in the 27 Member States of the European Union (EU). A Bill creating a single national constituency was approved by France's National Assembly on 20 February 2018, and formally adopted by the Senate on 23 May 2018. It was promulgated on 25 June 2018 following the validation of the Constitutional Court. The country elects 81 of the 720 members of the European Parliament.

The months preceding the election were framed by the far-right National Rally (Rassemblement National - RN) leading the opinion polls, in a wider context of gains by right-wing parties across the EU. On 25 April 2025, the French President Emmanuel Macron delivered a speech at the Sorbonne setting out its vision for the future of the EU. Media outlets also covered the collapse of relations between the French and German far-right parties, and the potential cooperation between Marine Le Pen and Italy's far-right Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni.

The elections delivered a substantial victory for the RN (31.4%), which was followed by Macron's Besoin d'Europe alliance (14.6%) and the centre-left Réveiller l'Europe alliance (13.8%). As a consequence of this election, the French President decided to dissolve the country's National Assembly and trigger early legislative elections.

Official

France: Ministère de l’Europe et des Affaires Étrangères: Élections européennes 2024 https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/services-aux-francais/voter-a-l-etranger/elections-europeennes-2024/

European Union: European Elections, 6-9 June 2024: How to vote in France https://elections.europa.eu/en/how-to-vote/fr/

France: LegiFrance: LOI n° 2018-509 du 25 juin 2018 relative à l'élection des représentants au Parlement européen https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/dossierlegislatif/JORFDOLE000036375020/

Renew Europe EP Group: News, 25/02/2024: Valérie Hayer elected president of Renew Europe https://www.reneweuropegroup.eu/news/2024-01-25/valerie-hayer-elected-president-of-renew-europe

French Presidency (Élysée): Europe Speech (Sorbonne, 25 April 2024) https://www.elysee.fr/en/emmanuel-macron/2024/04/24/europe-speech

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News

EurActiv, 01/02/2024: French Socialist Party’s EU election list deemed too elitist https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/french-socialist-partys-eu-election-list-deemed-too-elitist/

Politico, 12/02/2024: French far right poised for record surge in EU election, poll shows https://www.politico.eu/article/french-far-right-poised-record-surge-eu-parliament-election-poll-shows-bardella-national-rally/

RFI News, 04/03/2024: French far right makes immigration focus of EU election campaign https://www.rfi.fr/en/france/20240304-france-s-far-right-rn-to-make-immigration-focus-of-its-eu-election-campaign

Reuters, 04/03/2024: France's far-right RN makes immigration pillar of Europe poll campaign https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/frances-far-right-rn-makes-immigration-pillar-europe-poll-campaign-2024-03-03/

The Telegraph (UK), 04/03/2024: Le Pen’s party leader pledges to halt France’s ‘erasure from EU’ https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/03/04/national-rally-leader-halt-france-erasure-eu/

France24, 09/03/2024: Macron's coalition blasts far right at EU election campaign launch https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20240309-macron-s-coalition-blasts-far-right-at-eu-election-campaign-launch

EurActiv, 12/03/2024: EU elections: French far-right exceeds 30%, widens gap with Macron’s Renaissance – polls https://www.euractiv.com/section/elections/news/eu-elections-french-far-right-exceeds-30-widens-gap-with-macrons-renaissance-polls/

Deutsche Welle, 12/04/2024: France fights disinformation as Olympics, elections loom https://p.dw.com/p/4eVWW

Euronews, 15/04/2024: French right-wing candidate for EU elections campaigns on immigration at border city of Menton https://www.euronews.com/2024/04/15/french-right-wing-candidate-opposes-eu-migration-pact

Politico, 17/04/2024: Macron is all talk, no action on Ukraine, says left-wing rival Glucksmann https://www.politico.eu/article/left-wing-rival-slams-macron-as-being-all-talk-no-action-on-ukraine/

EurActiv, 19/04/2024: Macron to give ‘Sorbonne II’ speech, hopes to give campaign momentum https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/macron-to-give-sorbonne-ii-speech-hopes-to-give-campaign-momentum/

The Local (France), 24/04/2024: France's Macron in last-ditch bid to halt EU election battering https://www.thelocal.fr/20240424/frances-macron-in-last-ditch-bid-to-halt-eu-election-battering

Politico, 25/04/2024: Macron warns Europe ‘can die’ in alarmist speech on protectionism, geopolitical threats https://www.politico.eu/article/emmanuel-macron-europe-china-competition-protectionism-geopolitics/

France24, 25/04/2024: ‘Mortal’ Europe needs to scale up defence, says Macron in keynote speech https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20240425-macron-to-outline-vision-for-independent-stronger-europe-in-keynote-speech

EurActiv, 25/04/2024: ‘Strategic failure’: France’s Raphaël Glucksmann takes aim at Macron’s geopolitics https://www.euractiv.com/section/elections/news/strategic-failure-frances-raphael-glucksmann-takes-aim-at-macrons-geopolitics/

BBC News, 25/04/2024: Europe risks dying and faces big decisions - Macron https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-68898887

Le Monde, 26/04/2024: Macron's grand ambitions for Europe ahead of EU elections https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2024/04/26/macron-s-grand-ambitions-for-europe-ahead-of-eu-elections_6669584_4.html

Euronews, 26/04/2024: EU elections: French far-right candidate launches his campaign but avoids confrontation https://www.euronews.com/2024/04/26/eu-elections-french-far-right-candidate-launches-his-campaign-but-avoids-confrontation

BBC News, 01/05/2024: European elections 2024: France's far right shows off star turn Fabrice Leggeri https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-68931168

Le Monde, 01/05/2024: Le Pen urges 'crushing' defeat of Macron in speech ahead of European elections https://www.lemonde.fr/en/politics/article/2024/05/01/le-pen-urges-crushing-defeat-of-macron-in-speech-ahead-of-european-elections_6670109_5.html

Le Monde, 03/05/2024: European elections: Macron pick Hayer fails to unnerve far-right Bardella in debate https://www.lemonde.fr/en/politics/article/2024/05/03/european-elections-macron-pick-hayer-fails-to-unnerve-far-right-bardella-in-debate_6670310_5.html

EurActiv, 03/05/2024: EU elections: France’s presidential majority unveils the first 30 names on its list https://www.euractiv.com/section/elections/news/eu-elections-the-presidential-majority-unveils-the-first-30-names-on-its-list/

France24, 06/05/2024: European elections: One month ahead, the French badly need to start doing their homework https://www.france24.com/en/france/20240506-european-elections-one-month-ahead-the-french-badly-need-to-start-doing-their-homework

Reuters, 09/05/2024: Economy scars voters in run-up to EU election https://www.reuters.com/markets/europe/economy-scars-voters-run-up-eu-election-2024-05-09/

Le Monde, 13/05/2024: Macron considers debating Le Pen to avoid European elections fiasco https://www.lemonde.fr/en/politics/article/2024/05/13/macron-considers-debating-le-pen-to-avoid-european-elections-fiasco_6671305_5.html

Le Monde, 13/05/2024: European elections: Macron's candidate says she was tricked into photo with 'neo-Nazi' group https://www.lemonde.fr/en/politics/article/2024/05/13/european-elections-macron-s-candidate-says-she-was-tricked-into-neo-nazi-group-photo_6671328_5.html

Euronews, 15/05/2024: EU election: French right-wing party launches its campaign https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2024/05/15/eu-election-french-right-wing-party-launches-its-eu-electio-campaign

EurActiv, 21/05/2024: Meloni seeks to unite Europe’s right parties, edges closer to Le Pen https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/meloni-seeks-to-unite-europes-right-parties-edges-closer-to-le-pen/

Politico, 21/05/2024: France’s National Rally won’t sit with Alternative for Germany in EU Parliament https://www.politico.eu/article/far-right-national-rally-marine-le-pen-says-it-will-cut-ties-with-german-afd-after-recent-statements/

Deutsche Welle, 22/05/2024: French far-right National Rally splits with Germany's AfD https://p.dw.com/p/4g7hO

RFI News, 22/05/2024: Record 37 French parties fielding lists for EU election https://www.rfi.fr/en/france/20240522-record-37-french-parties-fielding-lists-for-eu-election

Le Monde, 22/05/2024: European elections: Le Pen officially breaks with German ally AfD https://www.lemonde.fr/en/politics/article/2024/05/22/european-elections-le-pen-officially-breaks-with-german-ally-afd_6672249_5.html

EurActiv, 22/05/2024: French RN breaks with German AfD https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/french-rn-breaks-with-german-afd/

RFI News, 23/05/2024: France’s Le Pen hints at far-right alliance with Italy’s Meloni https://www.rfi.fr/en/france/20240523-france-s-le-pen-hints-at-far-right-alliance-with-italy-s-meloni-after-eu-elections

Politico, 26/05/2024: Le Pen to Meloni: Let’s team up and form EU Parliament’s No. 2 group https://www.politico.eu/article/marine-le-pen-giorgia-meloni-italy-france-eu-election-far-right-block-european-parliament/

The Guardian, 27/05/2024: Le Pen invites Meloni to form ‘super-group’ in European parliament https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/may/27/marine-le-pen-giorgia-meloni-nationalist-alliance-european-parliament

EurActiv, 28/05/2024: Le Pen, Meloni must ‘shepherd’ EU’s far-right out of divisions, AUR says https://www.euractiv.com/section/elections/news/le-pen-meloni-must-shepherd-eus-far-right-out-of-divisions-aur-says/

Euronews, 28/05/2024: Courted by Le Pen and von der Leyen, powerbroker Meloni holds the cards ahead of EU election https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2024/05/28/courted-by-le-pen-and-von-der-leyen-powerbroker-meloni-holds-the-cards-ahead-of-eu-electio

Reuters, 29/05/2024: Le Pen and Meloni should work together after EU election, Hungary's Orban says https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/le-pen-meloni-should-work-together-after-eu-election-hungarys-orban-says-2024-05-29/

Reuters, 31/05/2024: France's Socialists snap at Macron's heels ahead of European election https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/frances-socialists-snap-macrons-heels-ahead-european-election-2024-05-31/

Euronews, 03/06/2024: EU elections: Multiple French opposition parties file complaint over Macron interview https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2024/06/03/eu-elections-multiple-french-opposition-parties-file-complaint-over-macron-interview

Le Monde, 03/06/2024: EU elections poll: Far right consolidates lead in France https://www.lemonde.fr/en/politics/article/2024/06/03/eu-elections-poll-far-right-consolidates-lead-in-france_6673568_5.html

Euronews, 03/06/2024: EU elections: French candidates enter final stretch of campaign https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2024/06/03/eu-elections-french-candidates-enter-the-final-stretch-of-the-campaign

France24, 04/06/2024: 'Manterrupted'? French PM accused of barging into interview with EU election candidate https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20240604-manterrupted-french-pm-attal-accused-barging-into-interview-eu-election-candidate-hayer

BBC News, 04/06/2024: 'Mansplaining' French PM accused of sidelining colleague https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c2xx6x2x356o

EurActiv, 05/06/2024: National issues take centre stage in France’s EU elections, as far right surges in polls https://www.euractiv.com/section/elections/news/national-issues-take-centre-stage-in-frances-eu-elections-as-far-right-surges-in-polls/

Associated Press (AP News), 05/06/2024: France hurries to let New Caledonia vote in European elections after its deadly unrest. Few want to https://apnews.com/article/european-parliament-election-france-new-caledonia-2ff4fc34ccff3204270c17ba1a417c40

Le Monde, 07/06/2024: EU elections: Final poll shows race still uncertain in France https://www.lemonde.fr/en/politics/article/2024/06/07/eu-elections-final-poll-shows-race-still-uncertain-in-france_6674167_5.html

Politico, 09/06/2024: Macron gambles on snap election to fight far-right surge https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-european-election-results-2024-emmanuel-macron-dissolve-parliament-france/

BBC News, 09/06/2024: Macron takes huge risk with surprise election https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8009e2z4xlo

Politico, 09/06/2024: French far right obliterates Macron’s party in EU election https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-european-election-results-2024-far-right-triumphs-france-emmanuel-macron-camp-fight-second-place/

The Economist, 09/06/2024: As the French hard right triumphs in EU elections, Macron calls snap vote https://www.economist.com/europe/2024/06/09/as-the-french-hard-right-triumphs-in-eu-elections-macron-calls-snap-vote

RFI News, 09/06/2024: French president dissolves parliament after far-right National Rally's EU elections victory https://www.rfi.fr/en/france/20240609-france-votes-in-eu-elections-that-could-reshape-politics

Euronews, 09/06/2024: France: Marine Le Pen's far-right party makes historic gains in EU elections https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2024/06/09/france-marine-le-pens-far-right-party-makes-historic-gains-in-eu-elections

RTÉ News, 10/06/2024: Far-right gains in EU election as France calls snap vote https://www.rte.ie/news/2024/0610/1453910-euro-elections/

RFI News, 10/06/2024: France gears up for legislative elections after right-wing gains in EU polls https://www.rfi.fr/en/france/20240610-france-gears-up-for-legislative-elections-after-right-wing-gains-in-eu-polls

Reuters, 10/06/2024: Far-right advances in EU election, France calls snap national vote https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/european-parliament-poised-rightward-shift-after-final-voting-2024-06-09/

The Guardian, 10/06/2024: EU elections: Macron to dissolve French parliament after crushing loss to far right https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/jun/09/eu-elections-far-right-gains-germany-austria-netherlands-exit-polls

Associated Press (AP News), 10/06/2024: Far-right gains in the EU election deal stunning defeats to France’s Macron and Germany’s Scholz https://apnews.com/article/eu-election-right-migration-climate-polls-vote-0fbfcb7bd987008e802d70f759fa870b

EurActiv, 13/06/2024: Political future of expelled newly elected Reconquête! MEPs in question https://www.euractiv.com/section/elections/news/political-future-of-expelled-newly-elected-reconquete-meps-in-question/

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Commentary and Analysis

European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR): Commentary, 15/02/2024: Battle redux: Macron, Le Pen, and France’s European election campaign https://ecfr.eu/article/battle-redux-macron-le-pen-and-frances-european-election-campaign/

Politico, 16/02/2024: How France’s National Rally plans to take the European Parliament hostage https://www.politico.eu/article/how-frances-national-rally-plans-to-take-the-european-parliament-hostage/

Martens Centre for European Studies: News, 28/02/2024: The 2024 European Elections are a Crucial Vote for France’s Political Future https://www.martenscentre.eu/news/the-2024-european-elections-are-a-crucial-vote-for-frances-political-future/

Le Monde, 11/03/2024: 2024 European elections: Who is running in France? https://www.lemonde.fr/en/les-decodeurs/article/2024/03/11/2024-european-elections-who-is-running-in-france_6607965_8.html

Konrad Adenauer Foundation: Country Reports, 14/03/2024: France ahead of the European elections https://www.kas.de/en/country-reports/detail/-/content/france-ahead-of-the-european-elections

The Guardian: Editorial, 21/04/2024: The Guardian view on the French left: divided it will fall and fail, again https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/apr/21/the-guardian-view-on-the-french-left-divided-it-will-fall-and-fail-again

Politico, 25/04/2024: More cash, less screen time: 5 policy takeaways from Macron’s Sorbonne speech https://www.politico.eu/article/takeaways-france-emmanuel-macron-sorbonne-university-speech-cash-eu-ecb-nato-tiktok/

France24: The Debate, 25/04/2024: More Europe or else? Macron lists 'mortal' dangers ahead of EU elections https://www.france24.com/en/tv-shows/the-debate/20240425-more-europe-or-else-macron-lists-mortal-dangers-ahead-of-eu-elections

Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (Europe): Strategic Europe: Commentary, 25/04/2024: Will Macron’s Vision for European Defense Gain Traction? https://carnegieeurope.eu/europe/strategic-europe/2024/04/judy-asks-will-macrons-vision-for-european-defense-gain-traction?lang=en¢er=europe

The Economist, 25/04/2024: “Our Europe can die”: Macron’s dire message to the continent https://www.economist.com/europe/2024/04/25/our-europe-can-die-emmanuel-macrons-dire-message-to-the-continent

Internationale Politik (IP) Quarterly: No 2/2024, 26/04/2024: Macron’s Battle for his European Legacy https://ip-quarterly.com/en/macrons-battle-his-european-legacy

Atlantic Council: Blogs: New Atlanticist, 29/04/2024: ‘Our Europe is mortal. It can die.’ Decoding Macron’s Sorbonne speech https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/our-europe-is-mortal-it-can-die-decoding-macrons-sorbonne-speech/

London School of Economics (LSE): EUROPP Blog, 01/05/2024: France: the 2024 European Parliament elections – a pre-presidential election? https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/europpblog/2024/05/01/france-the-2024-european-parliament-elections-a-pre-presidential-election/

The Guardian: Opinion, 01/05/2024: France has turned against Macron. Will Europe set the stage for President Le Pen? https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/may/01/france-emmanuel-macron-europe-president-marine-le-pen

Euronews, 03/05/2024: How will the French far right affect Europe if they win the election? https://www.euronews.com/2024/05/03/how-will-the-french-far-right-affect-europe-if-they-win-the-election

UK in a Changing Europe: Analysis, 03/05/2024: Macron’s Sorbonne speech: a last act in European politics https://ukandeu.ac.uk/macrons-sorbonne-speech-a-last-act-in-european-politics/

RFI News, 05/05/2024: How France will help decide the 2024 European elections https://www.rfi.fr/en/france/20240505-how-france-will-help-decide-the-2024-european-elections

Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS): Podcast, 09/05/2024: Macron’s Sorbonne Speech, Previewing the EU Parliament Election, and a Conversation with Rebecca Christie https://www.csis.org/podcasts/eurofile/macrons-sorbonne-speech-previewing-eu-parliament-election-and-conversation

The Guardian: Opinion, 10/05/2024: In France, we’ve been desperate for a real alternative to Macron and Le Pen. Finally, he’s here https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/article/2024/may/10/france-emmanuel-macron-marine-le-pen-raphael-glucksmann

The Spectator: Coffee House, 23/05/2024: Why Le Pen is happy to cut ties with the AfD https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/why-le-pen-is-happy-to-cut-ties-with-the-afd/

YouGov, 24/05/2024: French voting intention for the 2024 European Parliament election, May 2024 https://yougov.co.uk/politics/articles/49526-french-voting-intention-for-the-2024-european-parliament-election-may-2024

EurActiv, 27/05/2024: Why are French Greens losing ground in EU elections race? https://www.euractiv.com/section/energy-environment/news/why-are-french-greens-losing-ground-in-eu-elections-race/

Politico, 28/05/2024: A Meloni-Le Pen super group? Not so fast. https://www.politico.eu/article/far-right-super-group-european-parliament-giorgia-meloni-marine-le-pen/

France24: Infographic, 29/05/2024: European elections: French parties compete for seats at the EU parliament https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20240529-french-parties-compete-seats-european-parliament-elections

Royal Institute for International Affairs (Chatham House): Expert Comment, 30/05/2024: The EU elections will challenge Macron’s leadership and influence https://www.chathamhouse.org/2024/05/eu-elections-will-challenge-macrons-leadership-and-influence

Associated Press (AP News), 03/06/2024: France’s far right may win big in the EU elections. That’s worrying for migrants, Macron and Ukraine https://apnews.com/article/france-eu-election-far-right-1c9bba84aa8ace2619c307b933385473

Politico, 05/06/2024: 4 ways the EU election could reshape French politics https://www.politico.eu/article/four-ways-eu-parliament-election-reshape-france-politics/

The Local (France): Analysis, 05/06/2024: What next for France after Macron's likely European election humiliation? https://www.thelocal.fr/20240605/analysis-what-next-for-france-after-macrons-likely-european-election-humiliation

The New European, 05/06/2024: Who leads the European hard right: Meloni or Le Pen? https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/who-leads-the-european-hard-right-meloni-or-le-pen/

Politico, 06/06/2024: French Greens risk extinction. That could benefit von der Leyen. https://www.politico.eu/article/france-greens-losing-polls-help-von-der-leyen-re-election/

YouGov, 07/06/2024: French voting intention for the 2024 European Parliament election, June 2024 https://yougov.co.uk/politics/articles/49653-french-voting-intention-for-the-2024-european-parliament-election-june-2024

The Conversation, 10/06/2024: Snap elections in France: a political scientist lays out what’s at stake https://theconversation.com/snap-elections-in-france-a-political-scientist-lays-out-whats-at-stake-232036

Sky News: Explainer, 10/06/2024: French elections: Who is 28-year-old far-right leader Jordan Bardella? https://news.sky.com/story/jordan-bardella-who-is-28-year-old-far-right-leader-who-could-be-frances-next-prime-minister-13150627

Bruegel: Opinion, 11/06/2024: European elections results: all eyes are on France and Germany https://www.bruegel.org/opinion-piece/european-elections-results-all-eyes-are-france-and-germany

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ESO Records

European Sources Online: ESO Information Guide: European Parliament elections, 6-9 June 2024 https://www.europeansources.info/guide/european-parliament-elections-6-9-june-2024/

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Wikipedia: 2024 European Parliament election in France https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_European_Parliament_election_in_France

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