The European elections, which extend over four days, began this Thursday, June 6 across the 27 countries of the European Union. Around 370 million voters are called to vote to elect 720 MEPs. This election is taking place in a context marked by a rise in the nationalist right, which, although divided, should influence the debates.
Nearly two and a half years after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and while Europeans are struggling to finance the strengthening of their defense industry, the climate is tense. The main countries of the Union have claimed to have been victims of Russian disinformation campaigns.
The Netherlands kicked off this electoral marathon by opening its polling stations on Thursday at 7:30 a.m. Voting will end on Sunday, the day of voting for 21 EU countries, including Germany and the France, the two largest economic powers in the bloc.
In the Netherlands, the Party for Freedom (PVV) of far-right leader Geert Wilders, victorious in the November elections, is leading in the polls. Although Wilders has abandoned plans for a referendum on a "Nexit" (the Netherlands leaving the EU), his platform remains firmly Eurosceptic. Other countries, such as France with Jordan Bardella The National Rally and Italy, with Giorgia Meloni of Fratelli d'Italia, should also see a strong representation of nationalist forces.
Nathalie Brack, professor of political science at the Free University of Brussels, emphasizes that the particularity of these elections lies less in the rise of the radical right than in its “normalization”. The ideas of these parties are increasingly present on the political agenda, and national coalitions now include the far right.
One of the first challenges for the new Parliament will be to confirm or reject appointments to the top jobs in the EU institutions. Ursula von der Leyen, the current president of the European Commission, is running for a second term. If she is selected by the 27 member states, she will still need to obtain the approval of the European Parliament at a plenary session scheduled for Strasbourg in mid-July.
The participation rate will be particularly observed to see if the momentum of 2019, where participation exceeded 50%, is maintained. According to a Eurobarometer survey, around seven in ten Europeans see the EU as a “haven of stability” and 71% declare their intention to vote, ten points more than in 2019.
The President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, urged citizens to participate in the vote: “Don't take Europe for granted. Defend it, shape it, use your vote. Otherwise, others will decide for you. »
While the US election on November 5 could mark the return of Donald Trump, the EU must demonstrate its ability to embody democracy, find compromises and maintain cohesion in the face of challenges posed by Putin and China.
