This Week in Politics
EU election
Europeans have gone to the ballot box to determine the makeup of the European Parliament in the coming 5 years. From Southern Spain to Northern Finland, Western France to Eastern Cyprus, the entire continent voted. Polling expected the centre-right EPP to remain the largest, with roughly the same result as the last election in 2019. The S&D were set for 2nd place. 3rd place was a race between the liberal RE, national conservative ECR, and eurosceptic ID. However, after the AfD suspension from ID, the race for 3rd became a head-to-head between RE and the ECR. Both the Greens and the Left were expected to make losses, the former major loses.
The final parliament composition is similar to 2019 - with some differences. The EPP has remained the largest group by a strong margin, making the biggest gains out of any group (190 seats, +14). The S&D stayed in 2nd (136 seats, -3) place and RE 3rd (80 seats, -22). ID (58 seats, +9) remained in 5th place, however, the Greens (52 seats, -19) switched places with the ECR group (76 seats, +7) dropping to 6th. The ECR is now the 4th largest group. The Left once more became the smallest political group within the parliament (with 39 seats, +2). The non-inscrits, belonging to no recognised group or none at all, lost seats (45 seats, -17) and the others remained the same (44 seats). 15 seats were added to the parliament due to population changes. The result is seen as a win for the centre, as the traditional EPP, S&D and RE groups can work together. However, the fragmented nature of some groups may require additional support from either the Greens or ECR.
Belgian PM Resigns
After his party suffered major losses in the EU election Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo resigned, he will now be the caretaker PM until a new coalition is formed. The splintered state of Belgian politics may make coalition talks difficult. As the country embarks on negotiating 1 thing seems certain: the far-right has gained influence in the nation and is here to stay.
National Assembly Election in France
French President Emmanuel Macron, and leader of the liberal Renaissance, has announced his nation will head to the polls in a matter of days after his party was defeated in the EU election. Far-right National Rally won double the vote share compared with Mr Macron's party and demanded a domestic election where the public could show their confidence in the government. National polling has the National Rally well ahead of Renaissance and the Left Alliance. Mr Macron's party is in a clear 3rd place, well-being NUPES as well. This is a clear fall since the last election in 2022. By many the election is being seen as a political gamble by the French President, with the odds stacked against him. However, the Spanish Prime Minister took a similar bet and it paid off, if France will be the same will be seen after the 7th of July when run-off elections are held. However, as early as the 30th of June in the first round, there will be insight into what side may win.
