“The constructive, pro-European centre has held,” European parliament president Roberta Metsola proclaimed as election results came in. Despite a surge in votes for far-right parties, the two main centrist groups saw an increase in their share of the chamber. Far-right parties, including Marine Le Pen’s Rassemblement National in France, Georigia Meloni’s Brothers of Italy, and the Alternative for Germany (AfD), made significant gains across the continent. The far right also saw important victories in Spain, Austria, Hungary, and Cyprus.
In contrast, the liberal Renew group faced setbacks in countries like France, Germany, and Spain, declining from 102 to 80 seats. Ursula von der Leyen’s bid for a second term as the EU’s most powerful official remains uncertain, as she may need more allies to secure a majority vote. The Greens, who experienced an upswing in popularity due to environmental concerns, saw losses in key member states, particularly Germany. Climate activists are concerned about the future of climate policy in light of the reduced presence of Green parties in the parliament.
Turnout for the election was relatively unchanged compared to the previous election, with 51 percent of EU citizens casting their votes. Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo conceded defeat in the country’s national elections, with Vlaams Belang and N-VA emerging as key players in the government formation process. De Croo’s liberal Open Vld party suffered losses in the election, prompting him to resign as Prime Minister. Belgium is known for its lengthy coalition talks, and it may be some time before a new government is formed.
Looking ahead, Ursula von der Leyen will deliver a speech in Berlin following a meeting with her Christian Democrat party. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is set to host Chilean President Gabriel Boric. Meanwhile, concerns grow over the future of French football as the league struggles to secure a broadcaster, and Italy’s Giorgia Meloni faces pushback for restricting the use of solar panels on farmland. The political landscape in Europe is evolving, and the implications of the recent elections will be closely watched in the coming days and weeks.
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