The 2024 European Parliament elections, conducted from June 6 to 9, revealed significant political shifts, with far-right and conservative parties making substantial gains. The elections, marked by a voter turnout of 71%, the highest in recent history, have resulted in immediate political consequences, particularly in France and Germany (2024 European election results) (POLITICO).
In France, the far-right National Rally, led by Marine Le Pen, achieved an unprecedented victory, securing 31.5% of the vote. This historic win led President Emmanuel Macron to dissolve the French parliament and announce snap elections set for June 30. The National Rally’s success reflects a growing polarization in French politics, as voters increasingly shift towards nationalist and anti-immigration platforms (POLITICO) (euronews).
Germany experienced a similar political upheaval, with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) surpassing Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democrats (SPD) to secure second place. The rise of AfD, despite recent scandals, has resulted in a major setback for Germany’s ruling coalition, sparking discussions about the future direction of German politics (POLITICO) (euronews).
Italy saw Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's Brothers of Italy party dominate the elections, winning 28% of the vote. This victory solidifies Meloni's influence within the European Parliament, positioning her as a key figure in shaping EU policies going forward (euronews).
In Spain, the center-right Partido Popular (PP) gained ground, narrowly defeating the ruling Socialists. Additionally, the far-right Vox party doubled its representation in the European Parliament, indicating a broader rightward shift within Spanish politics (euronews).
Poland’s political landscape also saw notable changes. Donald Tusk's Civic Coalition maintained its lead over the right-wing Law and Justice party (PiS), while the far-right Confederation party made its debut in the European Parliament. This development highlights the increasing fragmentation and diversification of political views in Poland (euronews).
At the broader European level, conservative and far-right parties have consolidated their positions, creating challenges for the formation of a stable majority in the European Parliament. Despite these shifts, pro-European parties still hold a majority, leaving Ursula von der Leyen in a potentially favorable position to secure a second term as Commission President, though forming alliances will be crucial (POLITICO) (Wikipedia).
The 2024 European Parliament elections underscore the growing polarization and fragmentation within European politics, setting the stage for a tumultuous and uncertain future for the EU (2024 European election results) (Wikipedia).