European Parliamentary Election results have proved to be a major win for conservatism across Europe. The four major right-wing European Parliamentary party’s are the European People’s Party (Christian Democrats), renew Europe, European Conservatives, Reformists Group and Identity Democracy Group.
With 720 seats available in the parliament, these 4 groups control 390, giving them a majority. Despite an ideological majority, there is still a noticeable difference amongst party politics.
Four country specific parties have had big victories in their respective nations.
France’s Rassemblement National
France’s right wing, Rassemblement National won 31.5% of the vote and with them being the main party in Identity and Democracy, ID won 30 seats in France. A great victory for Marine le Pen means a crushing defeat for Emmanuel Macron as his coalition Besoin d’Europe, only won 14.5% of the vote. Macron narrowly escaped a humiliating third place by beating Réveiller l’Europe by 0.7%.
Due to Macron’s uncertain political future, he has called for a snap French parliamentary election on the 30th of June, with a runoff on July 7th. Macron’s dissolution of parliament is a gamble as it is expected he will lose more seats in parliament to Rassemblement National. Macron lost his parliamentary majority in 2022 when he became President. If Rassemblement National wins then Macron must appoint a Prime Minister from R.N.
With Cohabitation (opposing parties in Government), Macron would lose control over Domestic Affairs, for the rest of his tenure in office.
Germany’s CDU/CSU and AfD
The CDU/CSU won 30.2% of the vote and Germany’s AfD came second with 16%. German Chancellor Olaf Scholtz is leader of the Social Democrat Party, who have suffered a third-place defeat at 13.9%. Olaf Scholtz is polling very poorly with 51% of people thinking he is doing a bad job as German Chancellor
16- and 17-year-olds could vote this time in Germany’s Parliamentary elections, with AfD winning approximately 25% of the under 30’s vote. AfD had most of their votes come from former East Germany.
Italy’s Fratelli d’Italia ( Brothers of Italy)
ID, EPP and ECR won 41 of Italy’s 76 seat with the Fratelli d’Italia party winning the most with 29% of the vote. Fratelli d’Italia won 29% of the vote, just coming ahead of the Partito Democratico who were trailing behind at 24%.
ID and EPP have been vying for Meloni to join their party’s, due to her influence and power. She would give further credibility to the ID Party and Fratelli d’Italia would align ideologically with Marine Le Pen’s Rassemblement National. Ursula Von De Leyern and the EPP want Meloni to solidify her second term as EU Commissioner.
Giorgia Meloni is the most popular leader in the G7 and has had a constant margin of positive polling in Italy.
With Italy holding the yearly G7 summit in the Puglia region, Meloni is the most popular leader in their home country. This year’s G7 leaders are some of the most unpopular ever, except Meloni, with Biden, Trudeau, Sunak and Scholtz all polling at around 50% dis-like.
As a result, Meloni’s popularity and strong leadership make her one of the most influential politicians in the EU.
With over 330 Million people voting in the European Parliamentary Elections, and an overwhelming shift to the right amongst young Europeans, how will a Labour government (Left wing) deal with a Conservative Europe and a likely Republican USA?
For a more comprehensive review of the European Parliamentary Elections, visit: EU Elections, European Parliament Seats.
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Cover Image – AFP Ludovic Marin/AFP
