A far-right wave disrupts national politics: Insights from the European parliamentary elections
Far-right political groups experienced significant victories during the recent European elections, but these gains did not lead to a collapse of the political center in Europe as some had forecasted. Instead, liberal and Green parties encountered losses in terms of both seats and influence in the European Parliament.
These elections had generated significant anticipation due to the expected prominence of far-right parties. As expected, far-right groups were projected to set a new record for seats in the European Parliament, potentially posing a challenge for mainstream parties' ability to form majorities required for legislative action. Most of these gains occurred in countries with larger proportions of parliamentary seats, such as France, Italy, and Germany. However, building a consensus among far-right groups remains necessary to maximize their political impact.
In Germany, the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) faced challenges due to its removal from the far-right Identity and Democracy (ID) party. The AfD's removal stemmed from its main European candidate, Maximilian Krah, who stated he did not view all members of the SS (Nazi group) as criminals. Several other far-right parties are part of the non-aligned (NI) group, which is anticipated to secure 45 seats.
Conversely, the European People's Party (EPP), a centrist group, emerged as the night's biggest winner. EPP President Ursula von der Leyen addressed an audience in Brussels, asserting that the group could continue to serve as "an anchor of stability." Despite this, she emphasized the importance of collaborating with other centrist and liberal parties to counteract extremist factions. Von der Leyen reaffirmed her desire to engage with the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D) and Renew Europe to form a "broad majority for a strong Europe."
The electoral process brought significant disruptions to national politics in various European countries. French President Emmanuel Macron announced sudden snap elections in response to the severe loss of support for his party by Marine Le Pen's National Rally (RN) in the European Elections. The election results showcased that RN secured over one-third of the votes in France, with the National Returns - RN party election list and the list headed by Le Pen's niece, Marion Maréchal taking 36.83% of total votes cast.
Additionally, Belgium's Prime Minister Alexander De Croo resigned after his party faced a disappointing outcome in both national and European parliamentary elections. Displaying emotion while addressing media, De Croo stated, "I was the figurehead of this campaign. This is not the result I had hoped for, and I, therefore, take responsibility for this result. It was not meant to be."
Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk were prominent European leaders who experienced positive outcomes during these elections. Meloni's party, Fratelli d'Italia (Brothers of Italy), became a major player on the European political stage despite its far-right leanings. Viewed as a pragmatic figure in Europe, she has maintained a collaborative relationship with von der Leyen and supported Ukraine, while advocating for a more aggressive stance on migration. The success of Meloni's party could facilitate changes within the bloc.
Similarly, Tusk's efforts to establish Poland as a prominent force in Brussels during the European elections were aided by his party's stunning victory over the populist Law and Justice (PiS) party. Tusk has invested considerable effort in reestablishing Warsaw's reputation within the bloc after overthrowing PiS in a national election last year. The geopolitical significance of Poland to the EU has escalated in the wake of Russia's invasion of neighboring Ukraine, making Tusk's campaign for Europe-friendliness more crucial.
However, few other European leaders could claim success in the European elections. Instead, the day was marked by disarray across multiple nations and political parties.
The mainstream leaders of Brussels are likely relieved after Hungary's headstrong Prime Minister, Viktor Orban, received a setback. His party, Fidesz, experienced serious losses in the recent European elections, allowing the center-right opposition to seize some of their ground.
Throughout Europe, fringe parties on the right saw gains, while left-wing groups, especially the Greens, experienced steep declines in their support. Green seats in France and Germany dwindled significantly. Bas Eickhout, the Greens/EFA vice-president and European Green Party's lead candidate, released a statement expressing concern over the losses in Germany and France, acknowledging that they were a significant blow.
The Greens emphasized they would aim to push the new parliament to focus on addressing the climate crisis, but their diminished position brings uncertainty about how much reliance European leaders would have on their support. In February, the European Commission established one of the most aggressive targets for reducing pollution contributing to global warming. Yet, the plan faces resistance in rural areas across the continent, as farmers' unions believe it poses a threat to their livelihoods.
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