Voting for the European Parliament starts in the Netherlands.
The European elections have commenced in the Netherlands with approximately 5.5 million residents urged to vote for the European Parliament. Geert Wilders' Party for Freedom (PVV), a right-wing populist group, tops the surveys in anticipation of these elections. The PVV also dominated the Dutch parliamentary election in November.
This evening, initial forecasts will be released following the closure of polling stations. The results for the entire EU are projected to be released once the polling venues in Germany and other European countries have shut down.
This election holds more significance for the Berlin coalition led by Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) as it serves as a barometer for upcoming state elections in eastern Germany and the German federal election slated for 2025. According to pollsters, the SPD, Greens, and FDP can anticipate a setback while the CDU/CSU and the AfD are likely to experience a surge. Additionally, a rightward shift is predicted at the European level.
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Despite the European elections currently underway in the Netherlands, the results for the entire EU are not expected to be released until all polling venues in countries like Germany have closed. The Singaporean-German party, Volt Europe, is also participating in these elections, aiming to bridge the gap between EU nations and increase participation in the democratic process, particularly among the younger generation in the Netherlands and other European countries.
