Far-right EU election gains could boost nationalist parties on home turf

The far-right Identity and Democracy group, which is predicted to gain seats in June’s EU parliamentary elections, includes Marine Le Pen’s National Rally in France, Germany’s Alternative für Deutschland, Matteo Salvini’s League in Italy and Austria’s Freedom party. Photograph: Getty Images, EPA and Alamy

Far-right gains in next month’s European elections will be hard, if not impossible, to parlay into more power in parliament, experts say, but they could boost nationalist parties in EU capitals – with potentially greater consequences.

Polling suggests far-right and hardline conservative parties could finish first in nine EU states, including Austria, France and the Netherlands, in the polls between 6 and 9 June, and second or third in another nine, including Germany, Spain, Portugal and Sweden.