The nationalist right is one of the winners of the European elections. In the European Parliament, the ‘Identity and Democracy’ (ID) group could, according to the European Parliament’s latest forecasts (figures at 2.45 am on Monday 10 June), win 58 seats out of 720, or 8.06%, but this score does not take into account parties that have not previously had a seat in Parliament. 52 seats are not allocated to any group and the Non-attached Members (with the AfD) reportedly have 46 elected members. At the end of the mandate of the current Parliament, the ID had 49 seats out of 705 (6.96%).
The national parties forming the ID group came out on top in two countries. In France, the Rassemblement National (RN) obtained 31.50% of the vote, i.e. 30 elected members (compared with 18 at present), making it the largest French delegation and the second largest in the European Parliament (behind the CDU/CSU in the EPP).
“This clear message to Emmanuel Macron and the European leaders marks our country’s determination to see the EU change direction and move towards greater democracy, protection and consideration for the peoples of Europe”, stressed the head of the French list, Jordan Bardella. Following the results, French President Emmanuel Macron announced the dissolution of the National Assembly, a request made minutes earlier by Mr Bardella in his victory speech.
In Austria, the Freiheitliche Partei Österreichs (FPÖ) obtained 25.7% of the votes cast, giving it six MEPs.
In addition, the ‘Alternativ für Deutschland’ (AfD), which was excluded from ID but could return (see EUROPE 13426/4), has become the second largest force in Germany with 16% of the vote, or 17 elected members. “More and more people are fed up with debt, bureaucracy, sanctions and mass migration. Our elected representatives must now show strength and unity in order to develop a policy based on Germany’s interests!”, emphasised the AfD leader, Tino Chrupalla.
Among ID party members, Chega (Portugal) has won two seats and will thus enter the European Parliament. The PVV (Dutch) won six seats and the Estonian party EKRE will keep its seat, as will the Czech coalition SPD aTrikolora and the Danish party Dansk Folkeparti. Vlaams Belang (Belgium) retains its three seats.
New far-right parties enter the European Parliament
In addition to Portugal, other so-called far-right parties are entering the European Parliament. In Spain, Se acabo la fiesta is expected to have three seats. The Croatian party Domovinski pokret will have one MEP and Konfederacja (Poland) six.
Vazrazhdanen (Bulgaria) is expected to have four seats, the Our Homeland Movement (Hungary) and the Slovak Republika party one seat each. These parties are reportedly in negotiations with Maximilian Krah of the AfD to create a new group. However, according to one official, at least three delegations are still needed.
Reversal for the Lega
At the other end of the spectrum, the Lega is cutting its number of elected members by a third. Although it was the leading party in the ID group with 22 seats, it will have to make do with seven, its voters having turned away to vote for the Fratelli d'Italia party of ECR member Giorgia Meloni (see other news).
Negotiations to form the new ID group are due to start on Tuesday, according to an official close to the matter.
To see the results of the European elections and the latest projections for the future hemicycle of the European Parliament: https://aeur.eu/f/cl2/ (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant with Léa Marchal)