Netherlands starts European election process
In the Netherlands, we'll see the initial forecasts come out when polling stations shut at 9 PM. We're anticipating all EU results by Sunday night, once the voting stations in Germany and other EU nations have closed.
Over 13 million Dutch folks plus people from Ireland and the Czech Republic received the call to vote on Friday. Meanwhile, in the Czech Republic and some EU countries like Italy, Latvia, Slovakia, Malta, and French territories, the voting will continue on Saturday. In most other EU countries, people head to the polling stations on Sunday the 9th.
The European Parliament starts with 705 members, but it's expected to expand to a seating capacity of 720 after this year's elections in its 27 member states. Each country gets a set number of reps, based on their population. Germany has the highest number of reps (96). There are around 360 million people across Europe who'll be voicing their preference at the ballot box.
For the Berlin traffic light coalition led by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD), the election is more like a gut check before East Germany's local elections and Germany's federal elections in 2025. Polls predict a dip for the SPD, Greens, and FDP, and a boost for the CDU/CSU and the AfD. There's also some speculation of a shift towards the right on the European stage.
Researchers project far-right parties may top the leaderboard in the huge member states of France and Italy. The National Rally (RN) of Marine Le Pen could emerge as the most powerful faction in France. The Party of Brothers of Italy (FdI) of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni could also see a surge.
It remains a mystery how the far-right factions in the European Parliament will restructure following the elections. While Meloni and Le Pen have talked about teaming up, they're still a long way from controlling a majority in the parliament. Despite this, the European People's Party (EPP) with CDU and CSU is expected to reign supreme, with EPP candidate and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen aiming for a five-year extension at the mighty Brussels institution's top post.
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- Geert Wilders and his PVV party are actively participating in the European election process in the Netherlands.
- The Czech Republic also joined millions of European citizens in casting their votes during the initial phase of the European elections on Friday.
- Despite the Czech Republic and other EU countries like Italy voting on Saturday, most other nations, including Great Britain, will hold their polling stations open on Sunday the 9th.
- In the upcoming European Parliament election, each EU member state, such as Slovakia and Malta, will select their representatives based on their population size.
- Analysis predicts a potential increase in support for far-right parties in European elections, including Czech Republic's Czech and Nationalist Movement (ČSSD-SPD) or Italy's Brothers of Italy (FdI).
- The latest polling data shows a drop in popularity for the SPD, Greens, and FDP in Germany, while the CDU/CSU and AfD might experience an uptick.
- If the CDU and CSU maintain their influence, it will assist the European People's Party (EPP) candidate and current EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in seeking a five-year tenure extension at the European Parliament.
- PVV leader Geert Wilders has voiced his opposition towards the EU, which might impact the outcome of the European elections in the Netherlands.
- Latvia, like other EU countries, will participate in the European elections, which will help to shape the political landscape and composition of the European Parliament for the upcoming years.
- As the European election process unfolds, parties within the European Parliament, like the PVV in the Netherlands, will be pivotal to determining Europe's political direction for the next several years.
