Macron calls for snap elections

Gains by the far-right in voting for the European Parliament on Sunday prompted a bruised French President Emmanuel Macron to call for a snap national election, adding uncertainty to Europe’s future political direction.

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• After far-right surge in EU vote

While the center, liberal and Socialist parties were set to retain a majority in the 720-seat parliament, the vote dealt a domestic blow to the leaders of both France and Germany, raising questions about how the European Union’s major powers can drive policy in the bloc.

Making a risky gamble to try to re-establish his authority, Macron called for a parliamentary election, with the first round on June 30.