Far-right gains in EU voting prompt snap election in France | First Thing

After populist gains in France, Germany, Austria and the Netherlands in EU elections, Macron announces he will dissolve French parliament. Plus: a new series exploring the angst at heart of US election

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Good morning.

Parties on the populist right made stunning gains in the European parliament elections last night, with voters in France, Germany, Austria and the Netherlands pushing for far-right leaders to represent their interests in the EU. While the centrist pro-European parties appeared to have held the majority, the results are likely to complicate EU lawmaking.

What do these far-right gains mean? Voters often use European elections as a low-cost way of delivering a kick to their incumbent governments. While the far right's gains are causing warranted concern, support for the center-right establishment held, and leftwing parties made some surprising gains, too.

Why is Macron calling snap legislative elections? In dissolving parliament, Macron is being accused of gambling with the future of France - but some also view it as an attempt to make the best of his weak position by reclaiming the initiative and forcing the National Rally into election mode faster than it would have liked.

How has France's far-right party responded? At a National Rally celebration held east of Paris, Macron's announcement was met with loud cheers and applause. We're ready for power if French people put their trust in us," said Le Pen.