Progress for anti-EU parties in the European elections

Across Europe, a number of nationalist, anti-immigration or so-called anti-EU parties did very well in the European elections. Despite these successes, however, most indications are that Ursula von der Leyen’s Christian Democratic and Liberal EPP group will continue to dominate in Brussels.

It was already clear last night that Marine Le Pen’s National Rally will be France’s largest party in the European Parliament, supported by around one in three French people.

– This shows that when people vote – people win, Le Pen said after the poll was presented.

🔴 Nous sommes le premier parti de France ! 🇫🇷

Merci aux millions de Français qui nous ont largement placés en tête des élections européennes !

La victoire d'hier en appelle de nouvelles. Les 30 juin et 7 juillet prochains, allez voter et prenez le pouvoir ! pic.twitter.com/GsDUgh3Kel

— Rassemblement National (@RNational_off) June 10, 2024

President Emmanuel Macron’s ruling party, the Renaissance, on the other hand, had a disastrous election, finishing with around 15% – so bad that he decided to call new elections for the end of June.

– I can’t pretend that nothing has happened, Macron said after the defeat.

AfD – biggest in East Germany

In Germany, anti-immigration and anti-globalization parties are also making gains. The Alternative for Germany became the country’s second-largest party, rising from 11 percent to 15.9 percent and winning 15 seats in Brussels. The AfD became the largest party in all six of the former East German states.

In Italy, Giorgia Meloni’s Brothers of Italy looks set to become the largest party, with polls suggesting it will win between 25 and 31% of the vote; in Greece, the nationalist Greek Solution is expected to win around 10% of the vote.

Austria’s Freedom Party (FPÖ) is expected to increase its share of the vote by about 10 to 27 percent, making it the country’s largest party in a national election for the first time.

– Thank you Austria – today we made history together, they declared on their X account.

DANKE ÖSTERREICH 🇦🇹 Heute haben wir gemeinsam Geschichte geschrieben! 💙 pic.twitter.com/fZZ1a1aqjY

— FPÖ (@FPOE_TV) June 9, 2024

Belgian Prime Minister Resigns

The Belgian Vlaams Belang was also expected to be the largest party in the European elections, but had to settle for second place with 17.5% of the vote. Instead, the conservative New Flemish Alliance came in first with about 22% of the vote.

However, Prime Minister Alexander De Croo’s liberal party, the VLD, received less than 7% of the vote and announced that he was leaving office.

– As of tomorrow, I am a resigning prime minister, Alexander De Croo said in his speech.

"Hier staat een voorzitter die ongelofelijk fier is op wat we bereikt hebben. We hebben geknokt voor een Vlaanderen dat weer van ons wordt en dat gaan we de komende vijf jaar blijven doen." @tomvangrieken #kies24 pic.twitter.com/Ms4MqfHvx1

— Vlaams Belang (@vlbelang) June 9, 2024

Hungary’s Fidesz, led by Viktor Orbán, is suffering its worst election since 2006 – yet it remains the country’s largest party with around 44% of the vote and is expected to win 11 seats in Brussels.

– Many radical right parties are on the road to radicalization. I don’t think they will all sit together after the elections, but we will see three parties forming three political groups, Steven Van Hecke, professor of EU politics, told Euronews.

Continued support for Ukraine expected

Despite several successes for anti-EU and anti-immigration parties, Ursula von der Leyen’s center-right EPP group, which includes the Moderates and the Christian Democrats, looks set to be the election’s big winner with around 185 out of 720 seats in the parliament.

– We will continue on this path with those who are pro-European, for Ukraine and for the rule of law, proclaimed von der Leyen, who also seems to be counting on continuing as President of the European Commission for another five years.

Meanwhile, the green and left-liberal parties are in serious decline and the social democratic and more left-wing parties seem to be relatively stagnant compared to the previous elections.