Europe’s Gravitates Toward Right-Wing: A New Era in the European Parliament

• In 2023, many European countries experienced political shifts, with right-wing parties gaining ground.
• In this election, the majority of seats were won by far-right parties, with notable performances by the Brothers of Italy party and the French National Rally party.
• The political landscape has also seen the decline of centrist and centre-left ideologies, as evidenced by the significant drop in support for French President Emmanuel Macron’s Renaissance party.

The European Parliament elections in 2024 marked a significant turning point for the continent, influenced by geopolitics, economic challenges, Immigrant management, and a desire for change among the populace. These elections resulted in a notable shift towards more conservative and inward-looking political forces.

In 2023, many European countries experienced political shifts, with right-wing parties gaining ground. For instance, a right-wing party headed by Geert Wilders emerged victorious in the Netherlands but did not secure a majority to form a government. Similar trends were observed in Spain, Slovakia and Portugal, indicating a broader desire for change among Europeans.

This sentiment was reflected in the European Parliament elections, where far-right parties made significant gains. The European Parliament, headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, comprises 720 members. In this election, the majority of seats were won by far-right parties. Notably, the Brothers of Italy party, led by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and the French National Rally party, headed by Marine Le Pen, were among the highest vote-getters.

A notable performance was observed by the European People’s Party (EPP), headed by Ursula von der Leyen, the EU Commission President. The EPP, a centre-right Eurocentric political party, comprises 83 parties from 44 countries. It performed decently well in the election, demonstrating significant support across Europe.

However, uncertainty surrounds whether Ursula von der Leyen will continue as the President of the European Commission. To retain her position, she needs the support of at least 381 Members of the European Parliament. She is expected to seek backing from the socialists, centrists, and liberals. Given that the liberal conservatives and centrists supported her during her first term, it is anticipated that she will again garner their support.

The political landscape has also seen the decline of centrist and centre-left ideologies. For example, French President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist Renaissance party, which secured the highest percentage in the last European Union election, only garnered 15% of the vote this time, compared to the National Rally’s 32%. This outcome indicates the rising influence of right-wing ideologies in Europe.

In response to these changes, President Macron announced the dissolution of the French National Parliament, calling for snap elections on June 13 and July 7, 2024. The last parliamentary elections in France, held in 2022, did not yield a full majority for Macron’s party. By calling for early elections, Macron aims to secure a majority in the parliament, although political experts predict it will be challenging for his party to win against the rising far-right National Rally.

These developments suggest a significant shift in the political mood of both French and European voters, setting the stage for the upcoming French Presidential elections in 2027. Political analysts warn that Macron’s position may be increasingly vulnerable amid the growing influence of right-wing parties.

References:

• https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/jun/10/eu-elections-2024-how-did-key-countries-vote-and-what-does-it-mean
• https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8009e2z4xlo.amp