French President Emmanuel Macron is reportedly thinking about dissolving parliament and calling early elections as soon as this fall, according to people familiar with recent discussions, Bloomberg reports.
Macron is considering this move as his approval ratings have started to bounce back, thanks largely to his active role on the international stage. A poll in March showed his popularity rising to 31%, up seven points from the month before—after previously hitting record lows.
Still, holding snap elections could shake up the political stability that’s been in place since December, when Macron named François Bayrou as prime minister. That appointment followed months of political turmoil after Macron’s coalition lost about a third of its seats in last July’s elections, leaving no party with a majority in the National Assembly.
A fresh election might open the door for the conservative National Rally to gain more ground. It would be a new shot at power for Marine Le Pen’s party.
But things are complicated by legal troubles facing Le Pen. She was recently hit with a five-year ban from running for office after a controversial court ruling. Her future remains uncertain, though—the Paris Court of Appeals is expected to decide on her appeal by mid-2026, much sooner than expected, which could clear the way for her return.
In the meantime, her political heir, Jordan Bardella, is emerging as a major figure ahead of the 2027 presidential race. A recent poll even had him in the lead, suggesting the National Rally is getting ready for a potential leadership handoff if Le Pen can’t run.
