Why did Charles de Gaulle dissolve the National Assembly in 1968?

Charles de Gaulle dissolved the National Assembly in 1968 as a strategic political response to the widespread civil unrest and events of May 1968, which had paralyzed France through student protests and massive wildcat strikes.12

Following a period of instability where established institutions appeared to be disintegrating, de Gaulle sought to regain control by framing the situation as a choice between his leadership and the threat of anarchy or Communist rule. By dissolving the assembly and calling for new elections, he successfully shifted the confrontation from the streets to the polls. This move allowed him to appeal to citizens who desired a return to stability and law and order. The strategy proved effective, resulting in a landslide victory for the Gaullists in June 1968, which reaffirmed his authority and helped restore a sense of normalcy to the nation.12