Far-right parties performed strongly in last week’s European Union (EU) elections.
Polls were held over four days to determine the European parliament’s 720 members.
A right-wing surge saw parties to the centre and left of European politics lose seats in the parliamentary body.
This included wins for France’s far-right Opposition, led by Marine Le Pen — prompting current President Emmanuel Macron to call a national election.
EU elections
Parliamentary elections are held every five years. This year, around 51% of 370 million eligible voters turned up to cast their ballots.
The 27 EU countries elect a number of MPs based on the size of their population, ranging from Malta’s six to Germany’s 96.
Voters choose a party in their respective country. Based on how many votes they get, the parties are then grouped into “blocs”, ranging from the left-wing “Socialists and Democrats” (S&D) to the centre-right “European People’s Party” (EPP).
Key issues
Polling company Focaldata surveyed 6,000 voters before the election.
Voters’ top issues were the cost of living (20%), immigration (14%), and climate change (10%).
Many Europeans have been affected by Russia’s war in Ukraine (not EU members), which has caused gas shortages and grocery price spikes.
Results
The centre-right EPP has increased its share of the vote compared to the last election in 2019.
It won 186 out of 720 seats, making it the largest bloc in the European Parliament.
The centre-left S&D lost four seats, but remained in second place at 135.
Renew Europe, a centrist pro-Europe group, lost 23 seats, while the progressive Green alliance lost 18 seats.
Two major right-wing political blocs – the European Conservatives and Reformists Group (ECR) and the far-right Identity and Democracy Group (ID) – both increased their vote share.
Voters in France, Germany, and Italy all increased their support for far-right parties in their respective elections.
In Italy, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s far-right ‘Brothers of Italy’ party increased its vote share from around 6% to 29%.
Meanwhile, the AfD in Germany – a far-right, anti-immigration party – lifted its support from 11% to 16%.
Reaction
Susi Dennison, an analyst at the European Council on Foreign Relations (an international think tank), said it was a “good night for the far right”.
She said more progressive parties lost support, signalling a broader shift to the right.
Renew Europe President Valérie Hayer, whose party lost a significant amount of support, said: “The rise of the far-right in some countries is an alarm that must be taken seriously if we want to preserve Europe”.
France
In France, the far-right group Rassemblement National increased its vote to more than 31%, up from 23% in 2019. The group is led by Marine Le Pen, President Emmanuel Macron’s main opponent over the last two presidential elections.
Following the result, Macron called a snap election for the parliamentary assembly, which will be held on 30 June and 7 July.
In a televised address, Macron told voters he “heard [their] message, and will not let it go without a response”.
