From left, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and President Biden attend the Group of Seven summit in Savelletri, Italy, on June 13. Three Western leaders made big bets — overestimating their own political skills and underestimating the anti-incumbent mood — that appear to be backfiring in rapid succession. President Biden should study what’s happening in Paris and London as he weighs whether to continue his campaign.
French President Emmanuel Macron was humiliated Sunday in the first round of snap parliamentary elections that he called in hopes of getting a fresh mandate. His centrist alliancebehind the far-right National Rally and the left-wing New Popular Front. Mr. Macron gambled that French voters would coalesce behind him to fend off the prospect of the first far-right government since World War II, as they did in 2017 and 2022.
Across the English Channel, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak had until next year to call elections in Britain but picked July 4. Now he looks certain to be ousted on Thursday. Polls show the Conservative Partywith the fewest seats since its founding in 1834. After 14 years in power, and five prime ministers in eight years, the Tories have worn out their welcome, and they’ve run a sclerotic campaign that has only underscored internal divisions.general election presidential debate.
Mr. Biden should be giving interviews and holding news conferences. Yet his schedule this week is light, which only bolsters reports thatin a job that requires around-the-clock attention. If Mr.