European Elections Turnout and Trends
The 2024 European elections are in full swing across multiple countries, with early indications pointing towards a variety of voter participation rates and a possible significant shift in the political landscape. The turnout for the European elections at 7 pm in Italy was 40.8%, as per the Interior Ministry data published on the 'Eligendo' portal. This significant figure emerges from just over a hundred sections of the total 61,650 yet to report. For regional elections in Piedmont, the turnout was a notable 47.5%. Meanwhile, the municipal elections across 3,698 Italian municipalities recorded a turnout of 53.6% with only 15 sections yet to report.
Polling stations for the European elections, approximately 3,700 municipalities, and the renewal of the Piedmont Regional Council were set to close at 11 pm. Up to 51 million Italians are participating in the European elections, with more than 17 million voting in administrative elections, and 3.6 million in Piedmont.
Key Updates Across Europe
As voting progresses, the long Sunday night promises to be a wait for European Parliament results from the 27 member countries. According to the European Chamber's timetable, flow data will start at 6:15 pm with initial reports from Austria, Cyprus, Germany, Greece, Malta, and the Netherlands. Subsequent exit polls from Bulgaria, Croatia, Denmark, France, and Spain will follow throughout the evening, with first estimates on the new parliamentary composition expected by 8:30 pm.
In Germany, the CDU/CSU campaigned vigorously ahead of the elections, with CDU leader Friedrich Merz and CSU leader Markus Söder criticizing the traffic light coalition and targeting the AfD, calling the Berlin government a 'disaster for Europe.' Current polls suggest a likely victory for the CDU and CSU in Germany's European elections.
Polling concludes in Ireland while five other countries including Italy, Slovakia, Latvia, Malta, and French overseas territories vote. The estimated 50% turnout in some Irish polling stations reflects a strong voter engagement. Europe’s broader turnout trends indicate significant participation, highlighting the importance of these elections.
Despite a cyber attack in the Netherlands, voting continued with preliminary forecasts indicating a competitive race between the red-green alliance and Geert Wilders’ party. Voter turnout in the Netherlands showed a significant increase from previous years, indicating growing public interest.
Data from various regions suggest that the European elections will set the stage for a potential political reshuffle. Representing a wide array of issues including migration, the EU Green Deal, and support for Ukraine, the elections are viewed as critical in shaping the choice between various political ideologies for the upcoming term in the EU Parliament.
- The 2024 European elections have been marked by significant political campaigns and party strategies across member states. For instance, in Germany, Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock praised the European Union for its role in maintaining peace and freedom during a Green Party campaign event. Baerbock emphasized the unique position of the European Union in building trust and unity post-World War II.
- In France, Prime Minister Gabriel Attal appealed to young voters through social media to support the Renaissance Party’s list for the European elections, highlighting the EU's role in regulating everyday items like condoms and USB chargers.
- In Hungary, Viktor Orbán's ruling Fidesz party is leading the polls natively, expected to secure a considerable number of seats in the European Parliament. Meanwhile, in the Netherlands, initial forecasts from Ipsos show a close contest between the red-green electoral alliance and the radical-right party PVV led by Geert Wilders.
