Election 'Super Sunday': Final Day of Voting for the European Parliament Across the EU
Today, 9th June, 450 million citizens from 21 EU countries are electing their representatives to the European Parliament. The new composition of the EU's highest legislative body will determine how the bloc addresses major contemporary challenges facing Europe, including a hostile Russia, increased industrial competition from China and the USA, climate change, and immigration issues, according to Reuters.
On 9th June, voting is taking place in France and Germany, which send the largest number of deputies to the European Parliament: 81 and 96 respectively. Elections are also being held in Poland, Spain, Italy (second day), Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, and Sweden.
The first exit poll results are expected around 20:30 Central European Time, with initial preliminary results anticipated around midnight.
According to preliminary polls, liberals and "greens" are expected to lose seats, which will reduce the representation of centre-right and centre-left parties in the European Parliament and complicate efforts to deepen European integration. Meanwhile, far-right political forces are forecasted to strengthen their positions compared to the previous elections held in 2019.
Experts highlight several reasons for the growing popularity of far-right political forces in Europe. Many voters have struggled with the cost-of-living crisis and are concerned about migration issues and the costs of the "green" transition. Additionally, there is growing anxiety over geopolitical tensions, particularly Russia's war against Ukraine. Far-right parties have capitalized on these fears and offered the electorate an "alternative."
At the same time, European "greens" have faced backlash from households, farmers, and industries affected by the EU's costly CO2 emissions reduction policies. This could lead to significant losses for the "greens" in the elections.
It should be noted that the centre-right and pro-Ukrainian European People's Party is likely to remain the largest group in the European Parliament. This will allow its leader, German Ursula von der Leyen, to attempt to be re-elected as President of the European Commission. However, experts caution that her re-election is not guaranteed.
Observers indicate that the European People's Party will likely need to forge agreements with other centre-right parties to secure a parliamentary majority, including with the Brothers of Italy, led by Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. This, in turn, will give Meloni and her allies more influence over European policy.
Overall, an increase in the representation of right-wing political forces could mean that the European Parliament may be less focused on climate change policies and the reforms necessary for EU expansion, but more enthusiastic about measures to limit immigration. Nevertheless, support for Ukraine remains a key issue for EU security, so a decrease in this support following the European Parliament elections is not expected.