The European Parliament elections held this weekend have highlighted a significant surge in far-right movements across various nations, including Germany, France, and Austria. The elections, encompassing a total of 720 seats, are set to shape the bloc's legislative priorities in the coming years and determine the next president of the European Commission.
Germany, the EU's largest economy, witnessed a substantial shift as the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) secured 16.5% of the votes, placing it in second position, behind the conservative CDU/CSU alliance which garnered 29.5%. This result marked the worst performance for Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democratic Party (SPD), which fell to third with 14% of the vote. Notably, the AfD's rise came despite several campaign controversies, including allegations of illegal funding and Russian interference.
In France, the far-right National Rally party led by Jordan Bardella won more than 30% of the votes, significantly outpacing President Emmanuel Macron's liberal coalition, which managed only half that share. Following these results, Bardella called for early legislative elections, while the presidency announced an appearance by Macron later in the evening.
Austria saw the far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ) coming out on top for the first time in its history, securing 27% of the votes according to exit polls. Meanwhile, in the Netherlands, the far-right Party for Freedom (PVV) led by Geert Wilders achieved 17.7% and won 7 of the 31 seats.
Elsewhere in Europe, the voter turnout presented a mixed picture. Spain saw a decline in participation compared to previous elections, with the conservative Popular Party (PP) narrowly leading over the socialists (PSOE). Participation dropped to 38.3% by 6 p.m., a significant decrease from 49.4% recorded five years ago.
Hungary continued to support its nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, whose Fidesz party maintained a strong lead with approximately 50% of the votes. Prime Minister Orbán cast the vote as crucial for ensuring peace, amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions stemming from the Ukraine conflict. Similarly, Poland, faced with security concerns due to its proximity to Ukraine, saw conservative forces maintaining strong support.
With advances across multiple nations, the far-right parties are projected to claim up to a quarter of the seats in the European Parliament, posing a potential challenge to the established pro-European Liberals and Greens blocs. This could significantly influence policy-making within the EU, particularly on issues such as immigration, climate change, and relations with Russia.
- The outcome of the European Parliament elections underscores the evolving political landscape across Europe, reflecting growing voter concerns over economic challenges, immigration, and geopolitical tensions. These themes have been central to the far-right's appeal, resonating with a populace seeking alternatives to the center-right and center-left establishment parties.
- In Greece, the conservative party led by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis led the polls, ahead of the left-wing Syriza and socialist Pasok parties. Meanwhile, Cyprus' center-right DISY and Eurocommunist AKEL parties vied closely for victory, with surprise performances from independent candidates and marginal parties highlighting the dynamic nature of the elections.
- The increased voter turnout in some regions contrasted sharply with declines in others, showcasing varied levels of political engagement across the continent. For instance, France reported the highest noon participation rate this century, while Spain's participation rate fell markedly compared to previous elections.
- The final results of the European Parliament elections will not only shape legislative priorities but also the broader political direction of the EU. As the far-right gains momentum, their influence on crucial issues such as environmental policies, economic reforms, and international relations will likely grow, necessitating complex negotiations and alliances within the parliament.
