The European Union parliamentary elections held on June 9, 2024, have delivered a seismic shift in the political landscape, with far-right parties making notable gains. This shift has posed a significant challenge to the governments of French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, signaling a broader rightward movement across Europe.
In France, Marine Le Pen's National Rally party emerged as a dominant force, securing around 30% of the votes. This impressive performance prompted President Macron to dissolve the National Assembly and call for snap parliamentary elections. Macron's centrist party, La République En Marche! (REM), faced a substantial defeat, which could further complicate his presidency, set to end in 2027. The National Rally's success underscores the growing appeal of Euroskeptic and nationalist sentiments among French voters.
Germany witnessed a similar trend, with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party securing 16.5% of the votes, up from 11% in the 2019 elections. This result positioned the AfD as the second-largest party, surpassing Chancellor Scholz's Social Democratic Party (SPD), which garnered only 14% of the votes. The combined result for the three parties in the German governing coalition barely surpassed 30%, highlighting the significant setback for Scholz's administration.
The broader European context reflects this rightward shift. The European Parliament elections, which spanned four days across 27 EU countries, revealed a growing influence of far-right parties. These parties are poised to play a crucial role in shaping EU policies on migration, security, and climate change. The far-right's gains came at the expense of the Greens, who were projected to lose about 20 seats and fall back to sixth position in the legislature.
Despite the far-right's impressive performance, the mainstream pro-European groups, such as the Christian Democrats and the Socialists, remained the dominant forces in the European Parliament. The center-right European People's Party (EPP) is projected to secure the most seats, bolstering the prospects of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for a second term. However, the political landscape is becoming increasingly fragmented, with new populist parties challenging the established order.
The rise of far-right parties is not an isolated phenomenon but part of a broader trend of Euroskepticism and nationalism gaining traction across Europe. In Italy, Premier Giorgia Meloni's Brothers of Italy party is expected to consolidate power, further shifting the political balance to the right. Similarly, in the Netherlands, nationalist Geert Wilders' anti-immigration party is set to win seven of the 29 Dutch seats in the EU assembly, reflecting the growing discontent with mainstream parties.
The implications of this rightward shift are profound. Far-right parties are likely to influence key EU policies, particularly on migration and climate change. The Euroskeptic right aims not to leave the EU but to take control of its direction, potentially reshaping the bloc's future. This shift also raises questions about the ability of mainstream parties to form workable coalitions and govern effectively.
The recent European Union parliamentary elections have marked a significant rightward shift, challenging the dominance of pro-European groups and impacting the political standing of leaders like Emmanuel Macron and Olaf Scholz. As far-right parties gain influence, the future of EU policies on migration, security, and climate change hangs in the balance, reflecting a broader trend of Euroskepticism and nationalism across Europe.
