The European elections brought a big surprise with the victory of centrist parties, despite a slowed down rise of the far right. Extreme right parties did manage to secure first and second place in some countries, but overall, the trust of Europeans was given to the center-right and center-left parties, showing a strength in the political center.
Before the elections, concerns about a dysfunctional parliament were prevalent, but the results showed that a traditional majority could still be formed for the next five years. The European People’s Party (EPP) remains the number one party in the European Parliament, with the center-left S&D party following closely behind.
The political center also includes the liberal Renew group, which lost some seats but remains a significant player in the parliament. Despite initial speculations about a potential coalition with the far-right ECR group, it became clear that a right-wing conservative coalition was not feasible.
The upcoming ruling coalition of the parliament is expected to be formed on the basis of cooperation between EPP, S&D, and Renew. This “grand coalition” has been a stable force in European politics and is likely to continue to influence decisions related to EU budget, support for Ukraine, and climate policy.
The next five-year period will involve discussions on EU enlargement and reforms to decision-making systems, common agricultural policy, and climate initiatives. The EU budget for 2021-2027 will also be a key focus for the next Commission, with debates on potential increases and funding sources.
In summary, the European elections results show a continuation of the political center’s dominance in EU decision-making, with potential implications for future policy decisions and collaborative efforts within the European Parliament. The focus on stability, support for Ukraine, and climate policy are likely to remain key priorities moving forward.