EM Special Brief on EU Elections:

EM Special Brief on EU Elections:
European People’s Party (EPP) Leads with clear majority Country wise breakup

Padmashree Anandhan
10 June 2024
Photo Source: Politico

By Padmashree Anandhan

In the held EU elections between 06 to 09 June, the European People’s Party (EPP) won by clear majority against the major gains made by the Far-right groups. According to the 
report in Politico the EPP is on track to have 184 lawmakers. The centre-left Socialists and Democrats (S&D) have maintained their position while the liberal Renew declined. Manfred Weber, the leader of the EPP Group in the Parliament said: “We are the party of industry, we are the party of rural areas, we are the farmers’ party of Europe.”

Following are the country wise results:

AUSTRIA
Far-right takes the first place

On 09 June, the Far-right Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) won the first place with 25.5 per cent votes advancing Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP) which secured 24.7 per cent and Social Democratic Party of Austria (SPÖ) which got 23.3 per cent. In a statement, Freedom Party leader Herbet Kicki said: “This election result means nothing less than that Austrians have made history today.” The Greens, Nehammer’s expressed the dissatisfaction and assured to convince the voters in the coming months against “irregular migration and overregulation.” (“
Election shifts the European Parliament further right,” Ekathimerini, 10 June 2024)

BELGIUM
Right-wing posed to win in the regional poll
s
On 09 June, Alexander De Croo, Belgium’s Prime Minister announced his resignation following the loss in federal and regional elections. He said: “This is is a very difficult evening for us. We have lost this election.” Croo’s Flemish liberal party, Open VLD is predicted to lose more than half the seats in the Chamber of Representatives. The vote held on 09 June showcased the divide between the Dutch speaking population in the north and French-speaking residing in the south (Wallonia) The right-wing nationalist New Flemish Alliance (N-VA) are expected to win with 17 per cent while the Far-right Vlaams Belang secured 14 per cent of vote. Both Flanders and N-VA hold a joint agreement to prevent the Far-right from parliament but for first time, centre-right Reformists Movement (MR) displaces the Socialist Party in Wallonia. Until negotiations complete between right-wing and French speaking  to form coalition government, De Croo to remain as acting prime minister. (“
Belgian PM announces resignation after 'difficult evening',” Deutsche Welle, 09 June 2024)

FRANCE
Macron dissolves the Parliament as Far-right takes lead in the EU elections

On 09 June, Emmanuel Macron, France’s President announced dissolution of the National Assembly and called for snap elections following the loss of his coalition in the EU parliamentary elections. According to the first exit polls, the National Rally led by Marine Le Pen won 32 per cent double Macron’s coalition. In a address, Macron said: “Far right parties ... are progressing everywhere in the continent. It is a situation to which I cannot resign myself.” He also added on how the results are not in favour of the pro-EU parties. Le Pen on winning said: “We are ready to take over the power if the French give us their trust in the upcoming national elections.” The lead candidate of the National Rally, Jordon Bardella said: “Emmanuel Macron is a weakened president, already deprived of an absolute majority in the French parliament and now restricted in his means of action within the European Parliament.” The performance of the National Rally will be watched close on 30 June and 07 June as it decides if Le Pen’s party can maintain the stance till 2027. A lead socialist candidate Raphaël Glucksmann on the triumph of the Far right said: “Everywhere in Europe, we are witnessing a wave that is shaking our democracy.” (“
France's Macron dissolves parliament, calls new elections,” France 24, 09 June 2024; “Giorgio Leali, Nicolas Camut And Eddy Wax, “France's Macron dissolves parliament, calls new elections,” Politico, 09 June 2024)

GERMANY
Scholz coalition parties suffers decline

On 09 June, spokesperson of Olaf Scholz, German Chancellor announced on holding of regular election in next autumn rather than snap elections despite the poor performance in the election. In the vote held, all three coalition parties of Scholz suffered defeat with 14 per cent behind Far-right AfD at 16 per cent, conservative CDU-CSU winning the first place with 30 per cent and Greens with 12 per cent while liberal FDP at five per cent. Alice Weidel, co-leader of the AfD said: “There is now only one task left for Scholz: clear the way for new elections – instead of governing for another year against a large majority of the population.” Whereas Markus Söder, the leader of the conservatives said on the three-way coalition “No longer has the support of the population." (“
Germany: No snap election, says Chancellor Scholz's spokesman,” Le Monde, 10 June 2024)

HUNGARY
Right-wing Fidesz party wins; Result also favours the opposition

On 09 June, Victor Orban, Hungary Prime Minister’s Fidesz party secured the major seats in the regional elections with 43 per cent a reduction from 52 per cent in 2019 EU elections. Orban said: “In a war situation and in a difficult battle, we have scored important victories.” Fidesz party has remained the dominant actor in Hungary since 2010. Economic crisis alongside party scandals, the Fidesz has influenced the party’s performance while it retains itself as the upholder of family values and Christian conservatism. Hungary’s strongest opposition, Respect and Freedom (TISZA) led by Péter Magyar won 30 per cent in the vote held on 09 June. Magyar said: “Today, it became clear to every Hungarian that no one has to be afraid anymore in Hungary.” According to the report, the election has been used by Magyar to boost his and the movement to defeat Orban in 2026 elections. He argues the Fidesz to have used “propaganda machine” to create social divisions withing Hungarians. While the result favours TISZA, indicating a possible shift in Hungary, right-wing populists have been clear gain in the EU elections pushing the EU’s decision making into Gray zone. (“
Orbán’s party takes most votes in Hungary’s EU election, but new challenger scores big win,” Toronto Star, 09 June 2024)

ITALY
Prime Minister Meloni’s party emerges winner at the cost of coalition parties

On 09 June, Giorgia Meloni’s Far-right party Brothers of Italy won the EU elections with 28 per cent of votes serving as a boost to her domestic and regional leadership. The results at the cost of her coalition partners as the League party of Matteo Salvini lost 34 per cent votes with only 8.5 per cent gain and Forza Italia winning only nine per cent. Meloni following the result said: “I’m proud that we are heading to the G7 and to Europe with the strongest government of all.” Although the results were in favour, Meloni’s government need a strong mandate to address the challenges especially the public finances and drafting of budget for 2025. Giovanni Orsina, director of the school of government at LUISS university in Rome said: “I think that Meloni gets out of these elections stronger, first of all because this is a government that has not lost consensus, which is quite unique in Europe.” (Giada Zampano, “
Italy’s Premier Meloni gets domestic, European boost from EU election win,” Associated Press, 10 June 2024)

NORDIC
Left-wing parties advance

On 09 June, both left wing and green parties saw progress in Nordic EU elections as far-right support reduced. In Sweden, the Social Democrats emerged as winner with 25 per cent votes. Although Sweden Democrats Party (Far-right) aimed to win more than the ruling Moderate Party led by Ulf Kristersson, it manged to win only 13.2 per cent placed after Moderate and Green Party. In Denmark, the Socialist People’s Party emerged the largest with 17.4 per cent vote while the ruling Social Democrats lost 5.9 per cent with 15.6 per cent votes. Whereas in Finland, the ruling National Coalition Party under Petteri Orpo won 24.8 per cent vote granting four seats in the EU Parliament. The socialist Left Alliance won 17.3 per cent which still allows three seats in the Parliament out of 15 for Finland. The Finns Party which forms part of the ruling coalition saw a decline of 6.2 per cent with only 7.6 per cent votes.


About the Author

Padmashree Anandhan is a Project Associate at the School of Conflict and Security Studies, NIAS, Bangalore. Her areas of interest include domestic politics and protests movements in Western Europe. She is currently working on a issue brief on expansion of NATO in the Nordic.


PREVIOUS COMMENTS

May 2026 | CWA # 2111

NIAS Global Politics Team

The Trump-Xi Summit
The Africa Forward Summit 2026 I North Korea's Constitutional Amendment 2026
May 2026 | CWA # 2110

Aishal Hab Yousuf

The Trump-Xi Summit:
Managing Strategic Competition through Trade, Technology, and Diplomacy
May 2026 | CWA # 2092

NIAS Global Politics Team

The US-Iran War, Week Ten
CW Column on Middle East: Escalating Israeli Aggression in Lebanon I UAE's Covert Manoeuvres
May 2026 | CWA # 2091

Brighty Ann Sarah

Conflicts in the Middle East:
Escalating Israeli Aggression in Lebanon I UAEs Covert Manoeuvres
May 2026 | CWA # 2090

Brighty Ann Sarah

The US-Iran War, Week Ten:
Fraying Ceasefire, Renewed Negotiations and the Risk of a Stalemate
May 2026 | CWA # 2088

Nithin V

King Charles's US Visit:
Emphasis on strong bilateral relations, democratic values and security cooperation
May 2026 | CWA # 2086

Aishal Hab Yousuf

UAEs Exit from OPEC:
Implications for the Middle East and the Energy Market
May 2026 | CWA # 2083

Brighty Ann Sarah

The US-Iran War, Week Nine:
Deadlocked Negotiations, Competing Agendas and Domestic Pressure
May 2026 | CWA # 2082

Akshath Kaimal

Escalating Violence in Mali:
Between Ethnic Insurgencies, Jihadist Attacks, and Military Coups
April 2026 | CWA # 2079

Aishal Hab Yousuf

Japans New Defence Posture:
From Post-War Pacifism to Strategic Recalibration and Autonomy
April 2026 | CWA # 2074

Brighty Ann Sarah

Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire:
Asymmetric Terms, Fragile Truce and Israeli Occupation
April 2026 | CWA # 2073

Akshath Kaimal

The US-Iran War, Week Eight:
A Fragile Ceasefire, Attempts to Control Hormuz and the Stalled Talks in Islamabad
April 2026 | CWA # 2072

Anu Maria Joseph

Three Years of War in Sudan
Prolonged Stalemate, Humanitarian Cost, External Interventions and Regional Fallouts
April 2026 | CWA # 2069

Padmashree Anandhan

The War in Ukraine
Expanding Drone Warfare, Russia's Strategic Patience and Ukraine's Diplomatic Outreach
April 2026 | CWA # 2068

Femy Francis

China-Japan Tensions
Escalating Defence Posturing and Economic Decoupling
April 2026 | CWA # 2067

Anu Maria Joseph

Conflicts in Africa
Continuing Conflicts in Sudan, South Sudan and DR Congo, Security issues in Nigeria, and Political Instability in Madagascar
April 2026 | CWA # 2066

Akshath Kaimal

The Pakistan-Afghanistan Conflict
Recurrent Clashes, Defiant Taliban, Contesting Narratives and Emerging Chinas Role
April 2026 | CWA # 2065

Lakshmi Venugopal Menon

The Middle East (JanMar 2026):
The US-Iran War, Israel-Hamas Conflict and their interconnected fallouts
April 2026 | CWA # 2064

Anwesha Ghosh

Afghanistan (JanMar 2026):
Gender Repression, Leadership Rifts, Regional Realignments and Clashes with Pakistan
April 2026 | CWA # 2063

Ramya B

Russia (Jan-Mar 2026)
Assertive Military Posture, Attempts for an Economic Turnaround and Search for Partners
April 2026 | CWA # 2062

Himani Pant

Europe (Jan-Mar 2026)
Trade diversification & FTAs, Increased defence spending, Tightening irregular migration and Economic slowdown
April 2026 | CWA # 2061

S Shaji

Africa (Jan-Mar 2026)
Elections, Civil Wars, Militancy and Peace Initiatives
April 2026 | CWA # 2059

Adarsh Vijay

India and the World(Jan-Mar 2026)
Maintaining Strategic Autonomy, Balancing the US relations and Resetting the China ties
April 2026 | CWA # 2058

Nishchal N Pandey & Mahesh Raj Bhatta

Nepal (Jan-Mar 2026)
Political Upheaval, Generational Change and Economic Uncertainty
April 2026 | CWA # 2057

Bibhu Prasad Routray

Myanmar (Jan-Mar 2026)
An Illegitimate Regimes Consolidation Game
April 2026 | CWA # 2056

Ashik J Bonofer

Southeast Asia (Jan-Mar 2026)
Deteriorating situation in Myanmar, Philippines as the ASEAN Chair, New government in Thailand, and Economic & Environmental challenges
April 2026 | CWA # 2055

Haans J Freddy

East Asia (Jan-Mar 2026)
Chinas military operations near Taiwan, Japan-China tensions and South Koreas security challenges
April 2026 | CWA # 2054

Amrita Jash

Chinas External Landscape (Jan-Mar 2026):
Regional assertion, Pragmatic recalibration with the West and Avoiding military entanglement in the Middle East
April 2026 | CWA # 2052

Shreya Upadhyay

The United States(Jan-Mar2026)
Tariffs, Ukraine, Iran and Operationalization of Trumps World Order
March 2026 | CWA # 2039

Femy Francis

Trump-Xi Meeting
Why did Trump reschedule it? What does that mean?
March 2026 | CWA # 2035

Akshath Kaimal

Pakistan-Afghanistan Conflict
Broken ceasefire, Expanding military strikes and Worsening humanitarian situation
March 2026 | CWA # 2033

Mahesh Bhatta

Nepal after elections:
Five major challenges for the new government
March 2026 | CWA # 2024

Lekshmi MK

The UN and the Iran-US War
UNSC Resolution 2817 between Clear and Unified Message and Manifest Injustice
March 2026 | CWA # 2023

Femy Francis

Chinas Two Sessions 2026
New Five-Year Plan, Ethnic Unity Law, and an Enhanced Defence Budget
March 2026 | CWA # 2019

Akshath Kaimal

Rising Violence in Nigeria
Limited State Capacity, Multiple Actors, and a Complex Security Environment
March 2026 | CWA # 2012

Padmashree Anandhan

The War in Ukraine
Long-range strikes, Defence adaptation and the EUs energy dependence
March 2026 | CWA # 2010

Mahesh Bhatta

Nepal Elections 2026
The Rise of the New and the Fall of the Old
March 2026 | CWA # 2009

Sreemaya Nair

Nepal Elections 2026
Rise of a new leadership and Reset in political landscape
March 2026 | CWA # 2004

Akshath Kaimal

The Forgotten South Sudan Conflict
Instability returns, with a fragile peace agreement, uptick in violence and limited international engagement
March 2026 | CWA # 2003

Yesasvi Koganti

PM Modis Visit to Israel
From bilateral ties to a special strategic partnership
February 2026 | CWA # 1998

Anu Maria Joseph

Instability in Sudan
Response to the genocide call and the threats of a regional spillover
February 2026 | CWA # 1985

Abhimanyu Solanki

Basant in Pakistan
The return of Basant, and what it signifies
February 2026 | CWA # 1977

Anu Maria Joseph

Violence in Nigeria
US military deployment amidst worsening insurgency
February 2026 | CWA # 1976

Lekshmi MK

The War in Ukraine
The Geneva Talks and Growing Negotiation Asymmetry
December 2025 | CWA # 1971

Vani Vyshnavi Jupudi

Pakistan Budget 2025-26
Legislating stabilisation under IMF discipline and coalition constraints
December 2025 | CWA # 1970

Aparna A Nair

Pakistan & China
Ten Years of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)
November 2025 | CWA # 1968

Vani Vyshnavi Jupudi

Pakistan and the US
A New opening, or another cycle?
February 2026 | CWA # 1959

Yesasvi Koganti

UK and China
PM Keir Starmers visit and the Recalibration of Economic, Strategic, and Domestic ties
January 2026 | CWA # 1946

R Preetha

The Davos Summit 2026
Five Major Takeaways from The World Economic Forum
December 2025 | CWA # 1931

Padmashree Anandhan

NATO Summit 2025
December 2025 | CWA # 1924

Padmashree Anandhan

NATO Summit 2025
August 2025 | CWA # 1801

R Preetha

28 August 1963
Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech and the Civil Rights Movement in the US
August 2025 | CWA # 1790

GP Team

The World This Week#323-324
The Trump-Putin meeting & the US-China tariff extension
August 2025 | CWA # 1780

Abhiruchi Chowdhury

Trump tariffs:
Weaponization of access to the US economy
August 2025 | CWA # 1779

GP Team

The World This Week#322
US tariffs on India, Brazil and Canada & the EU-US trade deal
August 2025 | CWA # 1778

Lekshmi MK

28 July 1914
Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia, starting the First World War
July 2025 | CWA # 1770

Abhiruchi Chowdhury

Pakistan-Afghanistan relations:
Why the focus on terrorism, refugees, and Uzbekistan as the third partner?
July 2025 | CWA # 1769

GP Team

The World This Week#321
Indian PM Modi's visit to the Maldives I Elections to the Upper House in Japan
July 2025 | CWA # 1762

Lekshmi MK

Ocean Darkening: 
What is the phenomenon? What are its effects? And who are more vulnerable?
July 2025 | CWA # 1749

R Preetha

Africa as the Hunger Epicenter
Of the 13 Global Hunger Hotspots, 8 are in Africa: Five reasons why
July 2025 | CWA # 1748

GP Team

The World This Week #318
PM Modi’s Visit to Trinidad and Tobago & Ghana, One big beautiful bill, and Quad Foreign Ministers Meeting
July 2025 | CWA # 1744

Chittrothu Vaihali

EU-Canada Summit 2025
What is security and defence partnership all about?
July 2025 | CWA # 1742

IPRI Team

Conflict Weekly # 287-88
The 12 Day War and the Congo-Rwanda Peace Deal
July 2025 | CWA # 1738

Fleur Elizabeth Philip

Thailand and Cambodia
What was the phone call between PM Shinawatra and President of Senate Hun Sen? What is the border dispute between the two? Why has this become an issue?
June 2025 | CWA # 1735

Padmashree Anandhan

NATO Summit 2025:
Trump making Europe great again
June 2025 | CWA # 1734

GP Team

The World This Week #317
NATO Summit 2025 and Russia-Mali bilateral agreements
June 2025 | CWA # 1733

Ananya Dinesh

China and the Pacific Islands 
What was the recent China-PIC joint statement about? What it says, and what it means?
June 2025 | CWA # 1728

M Kejia

G7 Summit 2025:
The Focus on the Middle East and Trade negotiations
June 2025 | CWA # 1726

GP Team

The World This Week #316
China-Central Asia Summit in Kazakhstan, and the G7 Summit in Canada
June 2025 | CWA # 1725

Brighty Ann Sarah, R Preetha, Santhiya M, Aparna A Nair & M Kejia

Operation Midnight Hammer: US bombs three nuclear sites in Iran
What were the three Iranian nuclear sites that were targeted? What are the B2 Bombers and Bunker Buster Bombs? What do these attacks mean? What Next?
June 2025 | CWA # 1724

IPRI Team

Conflict Weekly #286
The Spiralling Israel-Iran Crisis, and the Dangerous Hunger Hotspots
June 2025 | CWA # 1721

Rizwana Banu S and Santhiya M

Who are the Afrikaners?
Why is Trump interested in the Afrikaner question in South Africa?
June 2025 | CWA # 1720

Lekshmi MK

New WMO Report on Arctic Warming
What are the social, economic and environmental implications of Arctic warming
June 2025 | CWA # 1719

J Yamini  

China’s EV Surge
What contributes to the rise of BYD
June 2025 | CWA # 1717

J Yamini

Gender Violence in Pakistan:
What are the larger issues in the Noor Mukadam case?
June 2025 | CWA # 1715

Femy Francis

The US-China:
On Tariffs, Rare Earths and Visas
June 2025 | CWA # 1713

GP Team

The World This Week #315
The UN Ocean Conference in France and the US-China Meeting in London
June 2025 | CWA # 1709

IPRI Team

Conflict Weekly #284-285
Cambodia-Thailand Border Tensions, Protests in the US, and the Indigenous Māori question in New Zealand
June 2025 | CWA # 1705

GP Team

The World This Week #314
Elections in South Korea and Poland I China and the Pacific Island Countries I Bangladesh Election Announcement 2026
June 2025 | CWA # 1700

R Preetha

Ethiopia bans the TPLF
What does the TPLF ban mean for the Pretoria agreement? What next for Ethiopia?
June 2025 | CWA # 1694

Aashish Ganeshan

The US:
Harvard vs Trump Administration
June 2025 | CWA # 1691

GP Team

The World This Week #313
China-ASEAN-GCC Summit I President Macron's visit to South East Asia I Trump Vs Harvard
May 2025 | CWA # 1690

GP Team

The World This Week #312
Elections in Romania, Portugal & Poland I UK-EU Summit
May 2025 | CWA # 1689

Padmashree Anandhan

Ukraine
Continuing Russia’s Aerial Attacks, despite exchange of prisoners
May 2025 | CWA # 1688

Ayan Datta

Gaza
The Humanitarian Crisis and Israel’s Renewed Offensive
May 2025 | CWA # 1685

Aparna A Nair

UK-EU Summit:
First step towards a reset
May 2025 | CWA # 1683

Aashish Ganeshan

Elections in Portugal:
The Rise of Chega Party and the Search for Political Stability
May 2025 | CWA # 1679

Aashish Ganeshan

US in the Middle Easr
Trump’s visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and UAE
May 2025 | CWA # 1678

Gauri Gupta

China in Latin America
China-CELAC forum: Strengthening ties with Latin America and Caribbean
May 2025 | CWA # 1677

GP Team

The World This Week #310-311
China in Latin America and the Carribbean I Trump's Middle East Visit I Denmark as the new Arctic Chair
May 2025 | CWA # 1675

Lekshmi MK

Turkey:
PKK disbands after 40 years of armed insurgency
May 2025 | CWA # 1673

Padmashree Anandhan

Ukraine:
The Discussion in Turkiye and the Elusive Ceasefire
May 2025 | CWA # 1672

D Suba Chandran

India and Pakistan:
De-escalation and the “New Normal”
May 2025 | CWA # 1671

Abhiruchi Chowdhury

US, Ukraine and Russia:
Air attacks amidst a Minerals deal and Ceasefire Proposals
May 2025 | CWA # 1670

Fleur Elizabeth Philip

Singapore Elections in 2025:
People’s Action Party (PAP) Wins, Again
May 2025 | CWA # 1667

R Preetha and Brighty Ann Sarah

East Asia:
Tough Tariff Negotiations with the US
May 2025 | CWA # 1666

Padmashree Anandhan

The US-Ukraine
The mineral deal with the US
May 2025 | CWA # 1665
Conflict Weekly # 280-81
India-Pakistan De-escalation I Ukraine Discussion in Istanbul I The Battle over Port Sudan I Disbanding of PKK in Turkiye I France-Algeria Diplomatic Tensions
May 2025 | CWA # 1663

R Preetha

Canada Elections 2025:
What do the results convey? What next for Mark Carney?
March 2024 | CWA # 1251

NIAS Africa Team

Africa This Week
February 2024 | CWA # 1226

NIAS Africa Team

Africa This Week
October 2023 | CWA # 1091

Annem Naga Bindhu Madhuri

Issues for Europe
July 2023 | CWA # 1012

Bibhu Prasad Routray

Myanmar continues to burn
December 2022 | CWA # 879

Padmashree Anandhan

The Ukraine War
November 2022 | CWA # 838

Rishma Banerjee

Tracing Europe's droughts
March 2022 | CWA # 705

NIAS Africa Team

In Focus: Libya
December 2021 | CWA # 630

GP Team

Europe in 2021
October 2021 | CWA # 588

Abigail Miriam Fernandez

TLP is back again
August 2021 | CWA # 528

STIR Team

Space Tourism
September 2019 | CWA # 162

Lakshman Chakravarthy N

5G: A Primer
December 2018 | CWA # 71

Mahesh Bhatta

Nepal
December 2018 | CWA # 70

Nasima Khatoon

The Maldives
December 2018 | CWA # 69

Harini Madhusudan

India
December 2018 | CWA # 68

Sourina Bej

Bangladesh
December 2018 | CWA # 67

Seetha Lakshmi Dinesh Iyer

Afghanistan