Emmanuel Macron’s project of reform is at risk
A snap election in France reveals the flimsiness of his legacy
![French President Emmanuel Macron gives a press conference in Paris, France on June 12th 2024](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.economist.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1424,quality=80,format=auto/content-assets/images/20240622_LDP501.jpg)
IT may NOT measure up to Napoleon’s march on Moscow in 1812, but Emmanuel Macron’s decision to call a parliamentary election this month is looking like one of the most self-destructive gambles by a French leader in modern times. After seven years under his centrist government, voters’ judgment threatens to be severe. It may well plunge France into a political, and perhaps even economic, crisis. One victim would be Mr Macron’s own project of reform.
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This article appeared in the Leaders section of the print edition under the headline “Looking bad”
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