Letters: Reader views on Macron's snap election

 To the Editor,

I write to give my opinion, as a bi-national, on the snap elections in France. 

I have lived in France a lot longer than most of your readers but only took my French passport in July 2016 following the Brexit referendum. I was unable to vote in that as I had been living in France for 50 years by that point. 

When the 15-year rule was introduced in 1985 I had already been 20 years in France! 

I was pleased to be able to vote at least in France, if not in my home country.

Until Sunday, June 9… I was watching the results of the European Parliament elections coming in and then President Macron addressed the nation.

I was, and still am, absolutely horrified.

I read an article somewhere in which the journalist compared Macron's snap election with David Cameron's Brexit referendum in 2016 – equally hazardous, playing poker with the nation.

The arrogance and incompetence of some politicians is unbearable, and there is absolutely no kind of sanction.

If you want to know more about the subject, I recommend an excellent book by Giuliano da Empoli (in French) called Les ingénieurs du chaos, which talks about the likes of Dominic Cummings, the string-pullers.

The repercussions of this totally unnecessary act on the part of Macron – certainly not required by the constitution – are likely to be felt well beyond France (the EU, Ukraine, Russia...)

So having been Brexited in 2016, I now find that I have been RN-ed too and am feeling totally disgruntled.

At least I could vote this time to say what I think – in France and, for the first time in my life, in the UK.

Read more: If Macron resigns now as president could he stand again in 2027?

Helen Schneider, by email

I was granted French nationality two years ago, and was able to vote in the recent European elections.

The snap election called immediately after meant that I was also able to vote again at national level.

As someone who really values the right to vote – people, especially women, have fought and died for the right to do so – I am delighted.

The only thing that worries me is the dramatic swing here to the far-right and I can only encourage everyone that has a vote to put it to good use in future elections.

A quasi-Fascist regime would do a great deal of harm to the political landscape of France.

Veronica Stiastny, by email