in a documentary, François Bayrou testifies to the “scent of earthquake” which reigned on June 9, 2024

On June 9, 2024, after the revelation of the results of the European elections unfavorable to the presidential majority, Emmanuel Macron spoke live on television. Nobody imagines that the head of state will announce the dissolution of the National Assembly. A decision that takes everyone by surprise, shakes up the country and causes a real political cataclysm.

And documentary, titled Dissolution – History of a political earthquakebroadcast Thursday December 5 at 10:15 p.m. on France 2, looks back on this historic moment. He tries to understand the reasons which pushed the president to use this constitutional weapon in a moment of great fragility for his government. The film, rich in testimonies from leading women and politicians, examines the consequences of this initiative taken without consultation.

Many politicians have been totally disconcerted by Emmanuel Macron's decision. “A rumor spread from 8 p.m. and I didn’t believe it. When the president spoke, I understood from his face, and from his first words that he was going to announce a dissolution”remembers François Hollande, Emmanuel Macron’s predecessor. Also taken aback, Nicolas Sarkozy judges this decision harshly: “A dissolution is an ultimate weapon that nine times out of ten is misused.”

At the end of Emmanuel Macron's speech, the oppositions unanimously condemn this choice and are worried about potential chaos. Xavier Bertrand says he felt “a punch in the stomach”while the National Rally has just won the European elections hands down. Laurent Berger, leader of the CFDT at the time, is “amazed like most French people”. Only Jean-Luc Mélenchon is happy. “It’s so beautiful, an opportunity like this”explains the leader of La France insoumise in the documentary.

Even those close to Emmanuel Macron are taken by surprise. Yaël Braun-Pivet, the president of the National Assembly, says she is “a thousand miles from thinking that the president will dissolve”. Its former Prime Minister, Elisabeth Borne, is still incapable of understanding this choice today.

“It’s an unexpected decision, which I think she wasn’t prepared for.”

Gérard Larcher, President of the Senate

in the documentary

François Bayrou, very close to the president, testifies to the “earthquake perfume” who reigns that evening. A reflection which seems to take on its full meaning today, with the motion of censure of the Barnier government which once again plunges France into political instability.

The documentary Dissolution – History of a political earthquake written by Michèle Cotta, Patrice Duhamel and Jean Garrigues, directed and co-written by Pauline Pallier, is broadcast Thursday December 5 at 10:15 p.m. on France 2 and on the france.tv platform.