Macron dissolves French parliament and calls snap election after EU vote defeat

The vote will take place in two rounds on June 30 and July 7, he said.

French President Emmanuel Macron votes during the European election, in Le Touquet-Paris-Plage, northern France, Sunday. Picture: Hannah McKay/Pool via AP

French President Emmanuel Macron has decided to dissolve the lower house of the parliament and called for new general elections after his party was handed a humbling defeat by the far right at the European elections.

The parliamentary election will take place in two rounds on June 30 and July 7.