Seven years after his triumphant victory over Marine Le Pen and the far-right National Front, Emmanuel Macron faces a new political reality. The president, who took office in 2017 with high expectations and was hailed as the "savior" of France from the right-wing threat, is now confronted with a resurgent Le Pen and her renamed party, Rassemblement National. The optimism that accompanied Macron's rise has long since faded.

Macron's ambitious project to revitalize France's economy and strengthen its international standing faced increasing resistance. The president and his team, often referred to as "Mormons," sought to establish a policy beyond the traditional left-right divide. However, despite initial successes such as reducing unemployment and attracting international investments, support for extreme parties like RN and the left-wing La France Insoumise (LFI) grew.

The reform policies pursued by Macron, including the overhaul of labor laws and the abolition of the wealth tax, met with fierce resistance. The Yellow Vests movement and the Covid-19 pandemic led to social unrest and a sense of decline. Furthermore, the murder of teacher Samuel Paty by a radical Islamist intensified Macron's security policy stance.

The Recent Dissolution of Parliament and the Announcement of New Elections Surprised Many and Were Portrayed as an Attempt at Clarification and Realignment. Yet Even Macron's Supporters Doubt the Effectiveness of These Measures. Polls Suggest a Possible Stalemate, Which Could Lead to a Blocked Government or Even an Institutional Crisis.

Macron's once radiant figure is increasingly disappearing from campaign materials, and his political alliances are crumbling. Critics like Serge July and Raphael Glucksmann proclaim the end of "Macronism." A possible government participation of the RN would force Macron into an uncomfortable power-sharing arrangement, which could severely limit his political maneuverability.

Some defenders of Macron nevertheless emphasize his successes in EU policy and economic reforms. But the ongoing crises and the nature of his governing style, often criticized as "hyper-presidential," have left deep marks.

The upcoming elections will determine whether Macron can continue his vision or if France will experience a drastic political change.