Skip to content
Search
Human content, AI powered search.

Latest Stories

What We're Watching

Macron rolls the dice on France’s future

​French President Emmanuel Macron attends a ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the massacre of 643 persons by Nazi German forces, in Oradour-sur-Glane, France, June 10, 2024.

French President Emmanuel Macron attends a ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the massacre of 643 persons by Nazi German forces, in Oradour-sur-Glane, France, June 10, 2024.

LUDOVIC MARIN/Pool via REUTERS
Riley Callanan
By Riley CallananJune 10, 2024
Riley Callanan

Riley is a writer and reporter for GZERO. When she isn’t writing about global politics, you can find her making GZERO’s crossword puzzles, conducting research on American politics, or persisting in her lifelong quest to learn French. Riley spends her time outside of work grilling, dancing, and wearing many hats (both literally and figuratively).

See Full Bio

Following a humbling 17-point defeat to Marine Le Pen’s far-right opposition party in the EU Parliament elections this weekend, France’s President Emmanuel Macron shocked the world by calling for snap elections to be held on June 30.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz also suffered defeat to the far-right over the weekend, but he rejected demands for him to follow in Macron’s footsteps and call a snap election.

Macron’s logique: Macron is daring French voters to vote the same way domestically that they did this weekend for the European Parliament – which has long been seen as a protest vote.

According to Eurasia Group’s Europe director Mujtaba Rahman, “Macron believes he can defy the polls by confronting France with a stark choice between the pro-EU, pro-Ukraine & centrist status quo versus the existential risk of a far-right government.”

Macron is making a huge gamble on France's future. Polls suggest his centrist coalition will fail to win a majority, and if Le Pen’s National Rally picks up the most seats, France will be in uncharted waters. Le Pen has said she would partially withhold EU funding, toughen migration policy, infringe on the EU single market by prioritizing French business, and limit aid to Ukraine.
macronsnap electionselections 2024political riskgambleeuropean parliament electionseueuropean unionfrance

Latest Videos

From Iran to Ukraine: The growing risk of conflictplay icon
ask ian

From Iran to Ukraine: The growing risk of conflict

Can we rebuild the Internet for democracy?
Munich Security Conference

Can we rebuild the Internet for democracy?

Froman: The world is "adjusting" to Trump's tariff power
GZERO World Clips

Froman: The world is "adjusting" to Trump's tariff power

President Trump against the world
GZERO World with Ian Bremmer

President Trump against the world

Security in a fragmented world: Cyber deterrence, NATO reform & the future of trusted tech
Munich Security Conference

Security in a fragmented world: Cyber deterrence, NATO reform & the future of trusted tech

NATO’s new normal: “We may not be at war, but we’re not at peace”
Munich Security Conference

NATO’s new normal: “We may not be at war, but we’re not at peace”

More For You

What We’re Watching: Former Prince Andrew arrested over Epstein, Colombia protests for wage hikes, Bangladesh’s constitutional reforms in question

​A poster featuring Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, is installed on a sign leading to the parking area of the Sandringham Estate in Wolferton, as pressure builds on him to give evidence after the U.S. Justice Department released more records tied to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, in Norfolk, Britain, February 5, 2026.

A poster featuring Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, is installed on a sign leading to the parking area of the Sandringham Estate in Wolferton, as pressure builds on him to give evidence after the U.S. Justice Department released more records tied to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, in Norfolk, Britain, February 5, 2026.

REUTERS/Isabel Infantes
Epstein files wreak havoc on Europe’s political elite. Not so much in the USBritish police arrested former Prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor today over allegations that in 2010, when he was a UK trade envoy, he shared confidential government documents with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. It’s the first time a British royal family member [...]

What We’re Watching: Hungary’s election campaign begins, Peru to have eighth leader in as many years, ECB’s Lagarde mulls early exit

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban holds an international press conference in Budapest, Hungary, January 5, 2026.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban holds an international press conference in Budapest, Hungary, January 5, 2026.

REUTERS/Bernadett Szabo/File Photo
Campaign season in EU’s most important election of 2026 beginsThe Hungarian election is off to the races, and nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is facing his most serious challenger in 16 years. Over the weekend, Orbán and his center-right European Parliament member Péter Magyar launched their campaigns, with polls showing Orbán trailing [...]

What We’re Watching: Iran partially shuts vital shipping lane, China increases purchases of Russian crude, A thaw in the Sahara

​February 16, 2026, Strait Of Hormuz, Persian Gulf, Iran: A boat firing a missile during a military drill in the Persian Gulf, southern Iran.

February 16, 2026, Strait Of Hormuz, Persian Gulf, Iran: A boat firing a missile during a military drill in the Persian Gulf, southern Iran.

Credit Image: © Sepahnews via ZUMA Press Wire
Iran shows its leverage over Strait of Hormuz ahead of nuclear talksIran temporarily and partially shut down the Strait of Hormuz – the maritime entryway that handles over 20% of the world’s oil and gas shipping – ahead of a second round of nuclear talks with the US. The move was a show of leverage by Iran, signaling strength to its citizens and [...]

What We’re Watching: Europe moves toward autarky, US transfers prisoners from Syria to Iraq, Russia’s influence in the South Caucasus diminishes further

The French President Emmanuel Macron (R) welcomes the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (L) at the Elysee Presidential Palace.

The French President Emmanuel Macron (R) welcomes the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (L) at the Elysee Presidential Palace.

SOPA images
In a bid to de-risk, Europe turns inwardEuropean Union leaders agreed to move ahead with “Buy European” policies as part of a broader push to de-risk from the US and boost competitiveness amid China’s industrial prowess. Meeting in Belgium on Thursday, the bloc’s 27 leaders discussed protecting strategic sectors such as defense, clean tech, AI, [...]