European Parliament at crossroads as right-wing parties triumph in EU vote

Ursula von der Leyen is seeking a second term as president of the powerful European Commission, part of the EU's executive branch [Piroschka van de Wouw/Reuters]

The ground beneath the feet of European Union leaders has shifted after voting across the 27-member bloc delivered a clear turn to the right in the European Parliament, shaking up governments in member states and leaving mainstream groups at a crossroads.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen claimed victory after her centre-right European People’s Party (EPP) maintained the most seats of any single group in the legislative body.