The far-right made significant gains in the heart of the European Union, with countries like France, Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Italy, and Luxembourg seeing rises in radical right parties. However, the opposite trend was seen in the east of the bloc and in the Scandinavian region. This paradoxical difference can be attributed to Russia’s influence, as it has supported radical right parties in Western Europe but provoked a contrary reaction in countries closer to Russia.
The European elections serve as a way for citizens to punish the governments in power without overthrowing them. Despite emerging as the first political force in countries like France, Italy, Austria, and the Netherlands, the extreme right faced losses in Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Finland, Sweden, and Denmark. These countries, which have greater proximity to Russia, see the European Union and NATO as protective shields against perceived Russian threats, leading voters to turn away from far-right parties aligned with Moscow.
European political groups have been working on forming alliances ahead of the meeting of national government leaders next week. Discussions are also underway for the appointments of senior officials in the EU. Social democrats and environmentalists are supporting former Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa for the presidency of the European Council, while conservatives are pushing for the retention of Ursula Von der Leyen as President of the European Commission.
The defeat of French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in the elections may pave the way for Von der Leyen’s reappointment. As national leaders renegotiate alliances and positions within the EU, the landscape of European politics is evolving, with a shift away from far-right parties toward more pro-European forces.