12:54 There are still some queries about von der Leyen.
What could the impact be on Europe's political landscape following the elections? NTV journalist Holger Schmidt-Denker examines the current state of play in this widely-seen as a "brainstorming election" and evaluates the prospects of EU Commission President von der Leyen for a second term.
12:34 Failed to find your voting notice?Federal Election Commissioner Ruth Brand encourages citizens to head to the polling stations today. In a recent statement, she noted the "unique significance of this vote on European Union policies." She also confirmed that individuals who have misplaced their voting notices can still participate, provided they possess a passport or identity card and are registered in their local electoral districts.
12:18 Polling stations hit by chaotic weather in AustriaSeveral polling locations for the EU vote have been rendered inaccessible or damaged by severe storms in Austria. This includes stations in Deutschfeistritz, north of Graz, and various locations in the Hartberg-Fürstenfeld district. Officials have promptly responded by relocating the voting areas. Information boards displaying the new locations are now displayed, and affected mayors have notified voters of the changes through social media.
11:53 Confused about voting? A political expert sheds light on the EU's enigmatic application and the role of the "discontent group"
For the tenth time, a directly elected EU Parliament is being elected. However, many eligible voters seem to overlook the gravity of the vote. Thorsten Faas, a political scientist, deconstructs why the EU and its political mechanisms can be challenging to comprehend and analyzes the potential role of the "discontent bloc" in the elections.
11:36 Von der Leyen casts her EU vote in Lower SaxonyEU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, alongside her husband Heiko, visited her hometown polling station near Hannover, Burgdorf-Beinhorn. She opted not to deliver a statement or answer any questions from the media after casting her ballot. The 65-year-old is campaigning for a second term in office.
11:04 Projections to be unveiled as votes pour inItaly's polling stations are scheduled to remain open until 11:00 p.m., with the EU likely to offer early estimates from 8:15 p.m. These estimates will be determined through exit polls and preliminary results. Important poll findings predict a conservative shift in the European Parliament. According to a Politico survey, the European People's Party (EPP), featuring the CDU and CSU, may take home 173 seats, with the Social Democrats (S&D) taking 143 and Liberals 75. The right-leaning European Conservative and Reformist group, with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's party, could gain 76 seats, and the smaller Identity and Democracy, led by French right-wing populist Marine Le Pen, could secure 67 seats.
10:35 Record-breaking utilization of election-O MatThe Federal Center for Political Education disclosed a new record of usage for the election-O-Mat service in the current European election. With more than ten million uses, it has already outstripped the previous high in the 2019 EU election by four days before the vote.
10:06 Prominent figures encourage voters in novel fashionProminent figures urged citizens to participate in the European election via social media - by making themselves appear younger with the aid of artificial intelligence. "It's the European election on June 9th - this determines Europe's future!" exclaims Veronica Ferres on Instagram. "For the first time, people aged 16 and over can vote! Use your vote and go cast your ballot on Sunday. Each ballot counts!" The 16- and 17-year-olds of Germany (an estimated 1.4 million) can also participate in the European Parliament elections.
Political analyst Albrecht von Lucke predicts that the center-left coalition, nicknamed the "traffic light," will receive a hefty bill during these European elections. The traffic light's fortunes may be changing, with a shift toward the right predicted by von Lucke. However, there's a catch.
A German national, Eike Schmidt, could become the mayor of Florence, Italy. He's running for the post-fashion party Fratelli d'Italia and has the support of both Minister President Giorgia Meloni's ruling party and her coalition partners. Florence has historically been a stronghold for leftist parties, and Schmidt may be able to capitalize on their disunity. As of now, his rival, Sara Funaro of the Democratic Party, has a lead in the polls.
Today, municipal elections are taking place in eight German states in addition to the European elections. Baden-Württemberg, Brandenburg, Hamburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland, Saxony, and Saxony-Anhalt are all voting for district councils, municipal councils, and mayors. On the other hand, Thuringia is holding second-round elections following their first round on May 26. The performance of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) on a local level is garnering attention. These municipal elections are also regarded as significant indicators of public sentiment ahead of the state elections in September. The first results of the municipal elections are not expected before Monday, as the focus is on the European elections.
The European elections kicked off in Germany at 8:00 am. Voting stations opened, and German citizens - including 16-year-olds for the first time - can vote on the makeup of the European Parliament until 6:00 pm. Approximately 1400 candidates from 35 political parties and other associations are vying for the opportunity to represent Germany. Similarly, voting is happening in 20 other EU countries today, while voting has already occurred in places like the Netherlands, Ireland, and Slovakia. Astonishingly, 360 million people are eligible to vote in the EU. German voters will be responsible for 96 of the 720 seats in the European Parliament.
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The European elections in Germany have an impact not only on the EU Commission President's term but also on local politics. For instance, during these elections, German national Eike Schmidt is running for the mayorship of Florence, Italy, aiming to shifts the historical stronghold from leftist parties.
Meanwhile, in the context of these EU elections, citizens in Germany, including 16-year-olds, can vote on the makeup of the European Parliament, as it is their opportunity to shape Europe's future. This simultaneous event of EU and Local elections in Germany is significant, with the performance of parties like the Alternative for Germany (AfD) garnering attention on a local level.
