Polls opened in the Netherlands on Thursday to kick off four days of voting in European Union parliamentary elections across the 27 member states that are expected to deliver gains for the hard right. Estonia has a six-day voting period that started on Monday, while the Netherlands is the only EU country to start its single-day vote so early, followed by Ireland on Friday and the rest of the EU nations over the weekend. Europe-wide results will be announced Sunday night after all member states have completed voting.
The Dutch voting comes six months after the far-right Party for Freedom became the biggest party in the Dutch national parliament, setting the stage for potential gains in the EU elections. Populist, far-right, and extremist parties have been gaining traction across Europe since the last EU elections five years ago, with some even leading governments in certain EU nations.
The EU elections are the world's second-biggest exercise in democracy after India, with almost 400 million voters electing 720 members of the European Parliament. These elections will have a significant impact on global issues such as climate policies, defense, migration, and geopolitical relations with major world powers like China and the United States.
Since the last European elections, there have been significant developments such as Russia's invasion of Ukraine, a conflict that has implications for the EU. Dissatisfaction with the EU among Dutch citizens has been noted, with calls for more self-sufficiency while remaining in the bloc.
The European People's Party, led by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, is currently the largest bloc in the EU legislature and is expected to play a key role in forming coalitions after the election results are in. In the Netherlands, the far-right PVV party is expected to make gains, potentially surpassing other parties like the Labor Party and Green Left.
MEPs, or Members of the European Parliament, have the power to vote on a wide range of legislation affecting various sectors such as climate, banking, agriculture, fisheries, security, and justice. They also play a crucial role in deciding on the EU budget, which impacts the implementation of European policies and aid programs.
Following the election, MEPs will elect their president and nominate the president of the European Commission. In 2019, Ursula von der Leyen became the first woman to head the institution after a close vote. The outcome of the EU parliamentary elections will shape the future direction of the European Union and its policies.
