Far-Right Gains in European Parliament Elections Raise Concerns for Pro-European Mainstream
In the recent European Parliament elections, the mainstream pro-EU alliance of centreright, centreleft, liberal, and Green parties managed to maintain their majority, despite facing challenges from national conservative and farright forces. The farright made significant gains, particularly in France, where Marine Le Pen's National Rally achieved a decisive victory over Emmanuel Macron, prompting a snap legislative election. In Germany, the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) also garnered a higher percentage of the vote than parties in the ruling coalition. However, not all farright parties performed as well as expected. In countries like Belgium, Denmark, Finland, and Sweden, the hard right underperformed. Conversely, the Brothers of Italy and Austria's FPÖ saw successes. The results, although broadly in line with expectations, reflect national-level developments and the influence of unpopular incumbent governments. The European Parliament saw gains for the centreright European People's Party (EPP), the centreleft Socialists and Democrats (SD), and the liberals of Renew. The pro-European mainstream centre maintained a relatively comfortable majority in the assembly, with over 400 MEPs. On the other hand, the hard right, composed of various factions including Meloni's ECR and Le Pen's ID, faces divisions that may limit their impact on EU policy. Analysts predict a more polarized and politicized European politics ahead, with implications for issues such as migration and the green transition. Right-wing MEPs may seek to influence legislation related to climate and other areas, potentially complicating decision-making processes. While the far-right gains in France and Germany may not significantly impact the European Parliament directly, they could have broader repercussions on EU politics, especially considering the influence that national capitals still wield within the EU. The rise of figures like Meloni within the ECR and their interactions with main political groups like the EPP will be closely watched in the coming term. Overall, the elections reflect a shifting landscape in European politics, with implications for both domestic and EU-level governance.
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