One of the world's largest elections, the European Parliament election, has seen over 370 million eligible voters casting their ballots across 27 countries. The results indicate a significant shift, with far-right parties projected to secure a record number of seats. The mainstream centre-right European People's Party is expected to remain the largest group, with European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen acknowledging the rise of extremes on both ends of the political spectrum.
While celebrations are underway for some parties, such as von der Leyen's, there are concerns about the implications of the far-right's increased influence. In France, the gains made by right-wing parties have prompted President Emmanuel Macron to dissolve parliament and call for snap elections. Similarly, Belgium's Prime Minister has announced his resignation following his party's defeat in both national and European parliamentary elections.
The shift towards the right in the European Parliament is evident, with far-right parties like the ECR, ID, and non-attached members, including Germany's AFD, making significant gains. However, not all countries saw the expected surge in far-right support, as seen in the Netherlands. Von der Leyen's task now is to form a coalition that can counter the extremes on both sides of the political spectrum.
As the political landscape evolves, key policy areas like immigration and climate change may face scrutiny to prevent further gains by the far right. Von der Leyen's upcoming re-election in July adds another layer of complexity to the situation, as she navigates the changing dynamics within the European Parliament.
Emmanuel Macron's decision to call for snap elections in France reflects his concerns about the rise of far-right ideologies. With nearly 40% of votes going to far-right parties in France, Macron views this trend as a threat to the nation's position in Europe and the world. The upcoming parliamentary elections in France will be crucial in determining the country's political direction and Macron's future as a key European voice.
