‘Extremely unsettling’: Fears for the Paris Olympic Games in the wake of France’s snap election

The eyes of the world will be on Paris next month when the Olympic Games begin – but there are fears of chaos erupting in the French capital.

The world’s focus will be on Paris within weeks as the Olympics get underway with an unprecedented opening ceremony involving a flotilla of barges carrying athletes down the iconic River Seine.

But the spirit of positivity and unity that underpins the Games is now at threat after French President Emmanuel Macron called a surprise snap election, to be held just weeks before.

There are now concerns about everything from national security to transport infrastructure, with the outcome of the parliamentary vote looking shaky and unlikely to result in a clear majority.

That raises the risk of civil unrest, at a time when Paris is hoping its 2.1 million residents come together to welcome the world to its city.

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, Paris 2024 President Tony Estanguet and Amelie Oudea-Castera, Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, pose in front of the Eiffel Tower as the Olympic Rings are displayed. Picture: Getty

Mr Macron dissolved parliament on Sunday in the immediate aftermath of the resounding victory of far-right candidates in the European Union Parliamentary vote.

France’s ultra-conservative party National Rally surged to victory, winning 31 per cent of the vote – more than double Mr Macron’s centrist alliance.

“I have heard your message, and I will not let it go without a response,” Mr Macron said in a televised address.

“France needs a clear majority in serenity and harmony.”

Mr Macron said he would not resign himself to the far-right’s progress “everywhere in the continent”. The country now heads to the polls in two rounds, on June 30 and July 7. The Paris Games begin on July 26.

France's President Emmanuel Macron speaking during a televised address to the nation. Picture: AFP

Paris Mayor Anna Hidalgo said she had “difficulty understanding” why the president chose to call a snap election just weeks before the Olympics.

“Like a lot of people, I was stunned,” Ms Hidalgo said on Monday.

“A dissolution just before the Games, it’s really something that is extremely unsettling.”

Impact of election unclear

There are concerns that a change of government – or worse, an unclear result – could leave crucial services like transport and interior security unattended.

“The vote could lead to political instability in the event of another hung parliament in which no party wins a majority, or a seismic change if the far-right National Rally party of Marine Le Pen emerges as the biggest party nationally,” France24 reported.

Any civil unrest over the results could also cast the French capital in a negative light as Olympians and fans from across the world arrive.

Last year, violent riots broke out across the country after a French-Algerian teenager was shot dead by police in a housing estate on the outskirts of Paris.

At the height of the unrest, hundreds of tactical officers swarmed the popular tourist strip on the Champs Elysées in central Paris as angry mobs gathered.

David Roizen from the Jean Jaures Foundation told the AFP that fresh unrest surrounding the election could detract from the positive and united spirit of the Olympics.

“It risks ending the positive dynamic, meaning that people only talk about the Olympics from a security perspective,” Mr Roizen said.

Protests have already broken out in Paris over the European election results. Picture: AFP

There are already concerns over security arrangements for the opening ceremony, to be held on open-air boats on the River Seine.

Some trade unions have also threatened to strike during the Games, which has the potential to throw the city into chaos.

But Paris 2024 boss Tony Estanguet said his team is “more determined than ever” to make the Games a resounding success.

“There were around 10 elections since we launched the candidacy for the Olympics and we understood how to work with the public actors,” Mr Estanguet said.

And the International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach denied the election would impact the Games.

“France is used to holding elections – they will do it one more time,” Mr Bach said. “There will be a new government, and everyone will support the Olympics.”

The announcement of a snap election sparked widespread alarm across France, even from within the ranks of Macron’s own party. Picture: AFP

Sports Minister Amélie Oudéa-Castéra could be out of a job by the time the opening ceremony is held but said politicians must unite behind the Games.

“We have waited a century for these Games,” Ms Oudéa-Castéra said.

“It’s crucial that our country takes care of its image and the message it sends to the world at a time when it is welcoming athletes from all over the globe.”

Macron’s mega political gamble

Mr Macron’s announcement came as a dramatic surprise to political pundits across France and Europe.

He is just two years into his second term as president. His party doesn’t have a majority in parliament and governs under an alliance.

The risk of a vote of no confidence after the EU Parliament vote loomed large.

National Rally leader Marine Le Pen said the party is “ready to take power if the French give us their trust”.

Marine Le Pen says her party is ready to lead. Picture: AFP

“We are ready to exercise power, to end mass migration, to prioritise purchasing power, ready to make France live again,” Ms Le Pen told a crowd of supporters in Paris.

The party’s platform includes holding a referendum to crack down on immigration, banning the wearing of headscarves in public, repealing birthright citizenship and withdrawing residency for migrants who are unemployed.

It has also pledged to remove income tax for French workers aged under 30 and to increase the pension and allow early retirement at 60 for those who’ve worked for 40 years.

A political poll taken on Monday indicates National Rally would win between 235 and 265 seats in the parliament, up significantly from its current 88 seats.

That would leave it short of the number needed for an absolute majority – 289.

The Toluna Harris Interactive poll for Challenges, M6 and RTL found Mr Macron’s centrist alliance would see its seats half from 250 currently to between 125 and 155.

Olympic organisers insist the election won’t impact the Games. Picture: AFP

“We’re still in shock,” Emmanuel Pellerin, a member of Mr Macron’s Renaissance party, told Reuters.

“Everything points to the RN winning a relative or absolute majority. But that forces the French to think about what is at stake.”

Regardless of the outcome, Mr Macron will remain president for another three years as presidential elections are held separately.

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, the morning after his bombshell announcement, Mr Macron wrote: “I have confidence in the ability of the French people to make the fairest choice for themselves and for future generations. My only ambition is to be useful to our country that I love so much.”