Far right surges in EU elections, dealing blows to leaders of France and Germany

Overall across the EU, two mainstream and pro-European groups, the Christian Democrats and the Socialists, remain the dominant forces in the European Parliament. © John Thys, AFP

Far-right parties made gains in elections to the European Parliament on Sunday, prompting a bruised French President Emmanuel Macron to call a shock early election and adding uncertainty to Europe’s future political direction.

While the centre, liberal and green parties are set to retain the balance of power in the 720-seat parliament, the vote dealt a domestic blow to the leaders of both France and Germany, raising questions about how the European Union’s major powers can drive policy in the bloc.