AfD's Performance in 2024 European Elections: Key Highlights
The 2024 European elections have shown a significant shift towards the right in various European Union (EU) member states. The Alternative for Germany (AfD) has emerged as a key player, especially among young voters aged 16 to 24, where they tied with the CDU/CSU at 17 percent. This performance has led to optimistic projections for the upcoming state elections in Saxony, Thuringia, and Brandenburg.
AfD's Gains and Future Prospects
AfD leader Tino Chrupalla stated that the party is now the strongest force in the east of Germany. Despite not hitting their earlier high poll numbers of over 20 percent, the AfD has secured 16 percent according to both ZDF and ARD projections, translating to 16 seats in the EU Parliament. This marks a five-percentage-point increase from the previous elections and indicates a solid 'tailwind' for the party, as noted by Chrupalla.
Reaction from Other Political Entities
The success of the AfD has elicited various reactions from other political leaders. Green Party leader Omid Nouripour described the results as 'shocking,' highlighting the dismay over the AfD's continued influence despite internal controversies and distancing from other right-wing parties. Meanwhile, the CDU/CSU remains the dominant force with an estimated 30 percent of the votes, securing 29 seats.
Broader European Context
The trend of right-wing parties gaining traction is not limited to Germany. In Austria, the far-right Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) leads with 27 percent of the votes, and similar gains have been observed for right-wing parties in France and the Netherlands. The FPÖ's 10-point gain from the last EU election cycle marks a significant shift. Low voter turnout, like Croatia's 15.5 percent, has also impacted results across Europe.
- The 2024 European elections saw over 360 million voters across various EU member states. These include significant voting from economic powerhouses like Germany and France. The polling stations in countries like Greece and Cyprus closed simultaneously with Germany, marking the end of a long electoral process that started in the Netherlands.
- The elections have posed critical considerations for the EU's future direction in tackling geopolitical challenges such as the war in Ukraine, climate change, and migration. Opinion polls hint at a reduction in seats for pro-European liberals and greens, possibly complicating the legislative process in the EU Parliament, which is expected to affect the passage of new EU laws and European integration.
