- Polls for the European Parliament election closed on June 9
- France’s President Macron calls national poll after defeat
- The EU Parliament comprises 720 members (MEPs) elected every five years
- Immigration is a top concern in Germany
In the European Parliament elections, preliminary results indicate a noticeable shift in voter preferences toward right-wing political parties across the continent. The center-right European People’s Party (EPP) maintained its position as the leading force, securing 184 seats, while the center-left Socialists (S&D) came in second with 139 seats.
However, the far-right and Eurosceptic factions experienced significant gains. The European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) and the Identity and Democracy (ID) groups increased their representation, with the latter gaining 58 seats compared to 49 in the previous term. Additionally, a substantial number of seats (98) fell under the categories of “others” and “non-affiliated,” comprising various new and far-right parties that have yet to declare their group affiliations.
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Prominent among these are Germany’s AfD, Hungary’s Fidesz, Slovakia’s Republika, Romania’s AUR, Spain’s far-right newcomer SALF, and Bulgaria’s Vazrazhdane. With Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and French far-right leader Marine Le Pen calling for a right-wing unification, the potential formation of a new right-wing group could challenge the traditional power dynamics within the European Parliament.
Conversely, the liberal Renew Europe group and the Greens faced setbacks, with the former losing seats due to the decline of Spain’s Ciudadanos and the weakening of French President Emmanuel Macron’s coalition. The Greens, previously holding 71 seats, now hold only 52, attributed to a waning influence in their traditional strongholds of Germany, Austria, and France.
Despite some gains in northern EU countries, Italy, and Belgium, The Left group experienced a slight decrease, securing 36 seats, two less than the previous term, and now constitutes the smallest political force in the European Parliament.
Macron’s ‘Extreme Gamble’
French President Emmanuel Macron took an audacious gamble, calling for snap legislative elections later this month after his party suffered a resounding defeat at the hands of Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally (RN) in the European Union elections. This shocking move has triggered a political earthquake in France, presenting the far-right with an unprecedented opportunity to attain real political power after years on the fringes, while simultaneously threatening to cripple Macron’s presidency three years before its conclusion.
If Le Pen’s National Rally secures a parliamentary majority, Macron’s ability to govern domestic affairs would be severely diminished. Acknowledging the grave implications of the EU election result for his government, Macron addressed the nation, announcing that elections for the lower house would be held on June 30, with a second round on July 7 – less than two months before Paris hosts the Olympics.
“This is an essential moment for clarification,” Macron declared. “I have heard your message and your concerns, and I will not leave them unanswered. France needs a clear majority to act with serenity and harmony.”
Macron’s announcement sparked an immediate backlash, with a few hundred anti-far-right protesters gathering at Paris’ Place de la Republique, waving flags of green and leftist groups and chanting against the National Rally.
Why did Olaf Scholz’s SPD do badly?
The opposition conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) emerged as the frontrunner in the European Parliament elections in Germany, securing 30% of the vote. Trailing closely behind was the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD), which garnered a concerning 15.9% of the electorate’s support. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s Social Democratic Party (SPD) found itself in third place, with only 13.9% of the vote.
Nils Schmid, the SPD’s parliamentary spokesperson for foreign affairs, acknowledged the impact of recent events, such as the tragic fatal stabbing of a police officer in Mannheim, which thrust issues of immigration and domestic security to the forefront of the campaign. He candidly admitted to “numerous policy failures and difficulties in reaching compromises on critical issues like the budget.”
However, Schmid downplayed the potential implications of these election results on national politics, stating, “To be frank, most German politicians had already anticipated that the coalition parties would lose seats.” He emphasized that the “impact of these results on national politics will be very limited.”
Despite the setbacks faced by the governing coalition, Schmid’s remarks suggest a measured response from the political establishment, acknowledging the challenges while maintaining a pragmatic outlook on the future course of national governance.
Immigration Top Concern in Germany
A recent nationwide survey conducted by the pollster infratest-dimap dubbed the “Deutschlandtrend,” has shed light on the prevailing concerns and priorities of German voters. The poll, which surveyed 1,280 eligible voters, revealed that a staggering 41% of respondents consider immigration, asylum, and integration policies to be the most significant challenge facing the European Union.
Furthermore, a majority of 51% view deals with countries outside the EU as a viable solution to reduce the influx of refugee arrivals to Europe. The EU is currently engaged in negotiations for such agreements with Egypt, Lebanon, and Tunisia, offering substantial funding in exchange for preventing refugees from traveling onward to the EU.
When asked about their preferences for government spending priorities, the responses highlighted the difficulty in reaching a consensus. Nearly half of all respondents favored a reduction in public spending on refugees and welfare payments for the long-term unemployed, known as the “citizens’ income” (Bürgergeld). However, when it came to healthcare, elderly care, and family policies, most respondents expressed a desire for increased spending in these areas.
The survey results underscore the complex challenges facing policymakers as they navigate the intricate web of public opinion, with divergent views on immigration, refugee policies, and government spending priorities. Striking a balance between addressing immediate concerns and allocating resources effectively will require a delicate approach and open dialogue with the electorate.
