In a report published on Friday 14 June, the Foundation for European Progressive Studies (FEPS) describes the 2024 European elections as a moment less historic than it might seem, revealing the crises facing the European Union and marked by a certain idealism.
Far from criticising this idealism, the FEPS explains that it allows for “important deliberations and moments of political creativity” as well as a moment “when European democracy is exercised”, in which Member States and Europe are intrinsically linked. This idealism was particularly marked in these elections. By analysing the results, the FEPS is trying to decipher the future of the EU.
Paradoxically, the rise of the far right in Europe in the national elections of recent years, while it has been a subject of constant debate and convinced some habitual abstainers to cast a useful vote, has not resulted in the far right taking power in the European Parliament. The rise of Eurosceptic parties has therefore, contrary to all expectations, led to a renewed interest in the EU and limited the power of these parties.
However, although the pro-European forces have found a way to resist, the growing polarisation within the coalition between the EPP, S&D and Renew Europe groups poses the risk of a European Parliament without a guideline. Especially as the S&D, although it has managed to hold its own, is facing major challenges such as the ‘malaise of the East’, with its low electoral score in the countries of Central Europe.
One of the consequences of polarisation was the incredible violence of this campaign, but this was not just the result of polarisation. “It is a question of an amassed revolt against the political culture and the core values on which the EU was established”, says the FEPS. But this revolt will not end with these elections, which is why its causes must be addressed.
While there has been renewed interest in these elections, it should be borne in mind that they remain “second-rate” for the majority of European citizens. In the minds of the public, they often serve as referenda or early national elections. As a result, the EU is being used as a scapegoat by the opposition and its past achievements are being criticised, jeopardising the public’s image of it. As it prepares for future enlargement and deepening, the EU must combat this pervasive criticism, according to FEPS. See the study: https://aeur.eu/f/con (Original version in French by Paul Charles – intern)