Snap election was the only path forward: French president Macron

French President Emmanuel Macron gestures during a press conference about the priorities of his Renaissance party and its allies ahead of the early legislative elections in Paris.

Credit: Reuters Photo

Paris: Dissolving the French parliament and announcing a snap election was the only possible response to the far right's strong showing in last weekend's European elections, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Wednesday.

"Returning to the sovereign people is, in my opinion, the only republican decision in this context," Macron told a press conference.

Macron called for a snap parliamentary election on Sunday after France's far right pummelled his own party in the EU parliament election.