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Five key takeaways from the European parliament elections

  • The EU elections have been marked by successes for the far right, a surge by the Greens and setbacks for traditional parties across the continent

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The EU elections have been marked by successes for the far-right, a surge by the Greens and setbacks for traditional parties across the continent. Photo: Reuters
The Guardian

Traditional centrists significantly weakened

It was a bad election for the centre-left across Europe. The loose Social Democrat grouping in the European parliament is projected to lose 41 seats in the 751-seat chamber, going from 191 in 2014, to a projected 150 now.

It wasn’t much better for the centre-right either with the European People’s party bloc (EPP) projected to shrink from 221 seats down to 179 although it will remain the biggest grouping.

Together, the groups are on course to lose their majority and will be forced to look to the Greens and Liberals to govern.

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German Greens party top candidate Sven Giegold and co-leader Annalena Baerbock celebrate as exit polls are announced. Photo: AFP
German Greens party top candidate Sven Giegold and co-leader Annalena Baerbock celebrate as exit polls are announced. Photo: AFP

The Greens enjoy wave of support

The Greens nearly doubled their vote to finish second on 21 per cent, ahead of the Social Democrats. Many of the gains came from the northern European countries that were once the continent’s industrial heartlands but where, often inspired by 16-year-old Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, young people have taken to the streets to demand a break from a legacy of dependence on fossil fuels.

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