The European Union is in the midst of a massive exercise of democracy, as tens of millions of people across the bloc are casting their ballots to elect 720 members of the European Parliament. The elections are expected to shift the EU to the right, with hard-right parties like those led by Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni, Hungarian Leader Viktor Orban, Geert Wilders in the Netherlands, and Marine Le Pen in France expected to make significant gains.
One of the key issues weighing on voters’ minds is the war in Ukraine, with many expressing concerns about the impact of the conflict on the EU’s economy and security. Climate policy is also a major issue, with concerns about the impact of policy decisions on farmers and the environment. Migration is another hot-button topic, with some voters expressing frustration with the EU’s handling of the issue.
Despite the challenges facing the EU, mainstream and pro-European parties are expected to retain their majority in Parliament. However, the gains made by hard-right parties could make it harder for the EU to pass legislation and could at times paralyze decision-making in the world’s biggest trading bloc.
The elections come at a testing time for voter confidence in the EU, with the bloc facing numerous challenges in recent years, including the coronavirus pandemic, an economic slump, and an energy crisis. Political campaigning has often focused on issues of concern in individual countries rather than on broader European interests.
Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni (Via Giorgia Meloni/Twitter)
The results of the election will have significant implications for the future direction of the EU. If the hard-right parties continue to make gains, it could lead to a more fragmented and unpredictable EU, with potential consequences for the bloc’s ability to pass effective legislation and respond to challenges facing the region.
The election also raises questions about the future of the EU’s institutions and leadership. The new MEPs will be jostling for places in political alliances, while governments will be competing to secure top EU jobs for their national officials. The presidency of the European Commission, which proposes laws and watches to ensure they are respected, is among the plum posts up for grabs.
In the coming weeks, the EU will face a period of uncertainty as leaders are chosen at the helm of the European institutions. As the bloc navigates this period of change, it will be crucial for European leaders to come together to address the challenges facing the region and work towards a more united and cohesive EU.
