Voters in Ireland and the Czech Republic are participating in the European Parliament elections, with a surge of far-right parties expected to make significant gains across the 27-nation bloc. While final results will be disclosed on Sunday after all countries have voted, an exit poll in the Netherlands indicated that Geert Wilders' far-right PVV party is poised for substantial growth.
Populist, far-right, and extremist parties have been on the rise since the last EU election in 2019, with some even taking over governments in certain EU nations. Far-right parties in France, Belgium, Austria, and Italy are leading contenders in the current EU elections, reflecting a broader trend of surging public support for such ideologies.
In the Czech Republic, the ANO (YES) movement, led by former Prime Minister Andrej Babis, is expected to secure victory with a critical stance towards the European mainstream. Prime Minister Petr Fiala emphasized the importance of strengthening Europe's security against threats from Russia and China.
Immigration has become a central issue in Ireland, with independent candidates advocating for stricter controls gaining traction. Despite this, Ireland lacks a prominent far-right party capable of consolidating anti-immigrant sentiment. The immigration debate has impacted support for Sinn Fein, a party historically linked to the Irish Republican Army.
French President Emmanuel Macron cautioned against the potential standstill the EU could face if far-right parties secure significant representation in the Parliament. The lead candidate for France's National Rally, Jordan Bardella, criticized the EU's policies and urged French voters to support his party to counter what he termed as harmful measures.
With nearly 400 million voters participating, 720 members of the European Parliament will be elected for five-year terms. These lawmakers play a crucial role in shaping legislation on various issues such as banking rules, climate, agriculture, security, and justice. Additionally, they influence the EU budget, which is vital for implementing European policies and providing aid to countries like Ukraine.
The distribution of lawmakers across countries varies based on population size, ranging from six seats for smaller nations to 96 seats for larger ones like Germany. In the current elections, the Czech Republic will elect 21 members, while Ireland will fill 14 seats, with immigration, housing, and living costs emerging as key electoral concerns.
