European Election Campaign Begins Amid Expected Shift to the Right

The European election campaign officially begins today, May 27, 2024, ahead of the vote on June 9, 2024. This election will see 373 million voters across 27 countries choosing 720 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs).

This year's election is anticipated to bring a significant political shift to the right, potentially moving away from the EU's environmental priorities towards greater support for manufacturing, security, and agriculture. Polls suggest that right-wing parties and populist movements are gaining momentum across Europe.

Germany's Ursula von der Leyen, the current president of the European Commission, is seeking a second term. To secure a clear majority, she may need to collaborate with the far-right European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group. However, this potential alliance has drawn criticism from left-leaning parties.

Katarina Barley, the lead candidate for Germany's center-left SPD, stated that the Socialists will not back von der Leyen if she is supported by hard-right MEPs aligned with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. 'When the next Commission is formed, it must not be based on a majority that also needs the support of the far right,' warned German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

Why this matters: The outcome of the European election will have significant implications for the EU's future direction and policies, potentially shifting the balance of power and influencing the lives of millions of citizens. The election's results could lead to changes in environmental priorities, economic policies, and security measures, among other areas, with far-reaching consequences for the continent and beyond.

In France, Marine Le Pen's National Rally is on course for a comfortable win, while in Germany, the populist Alternative for Germany is running neck and neck with Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democrats. These developments highlight the growing influence of populist and far-right parties in the European political arena.

The newly elected European Parliament will play a vital role in shaping the EU's future, including approving or rejecting the 27 individuals who will run the EU for the next five years, such as, the president of the European Commission. This election will determine the direction of the EU's policies on emissions targets, bank rules, and other significant legislative areas.

Amidst the campaign, experts gathered in Florence, Italy, for the 14th edition of the State of the Union conference to discuss the priorities of the next European term. The conference addressed pressing issues such as economic policies, digital and green transitions, European defense, and the future of enlargement, especially in the context of the war in Ukraine.

'Many of these panels are dealing with the technical issues involved, but what unites them is that there must be some vision for Europe's future,' said Erik Jones, Director of the Robert Schuman Centre. 'If Europeans are not united, not able to generate the kind of energy necessary to tackle these challenges, then no technical solution is going to be enough,' he added.

The election campaign has also seen significant activity in Spain, where the Popular Party (PP) launched its campaign with a large rally in Madrid. PP leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo criticized the coalition government and demanded early general elections, urging Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to withdraw the Amnesty Law.

'We came to defend the equality of all Spaniards and the primacy of the Constitution,' Feijóo declared. He called for voters to 'cast our vote on June 9 to respond to so much outrage.'

The campaign's progression will be marked by a focus on how these political shifts will impact the EU's future direction. The upcoming elections will not only shape the composition of the European Parliament but also influence the broader political environment across Europe, with far-reaching consequences for the important issues facing the continent.

Key Takeaways

• European election campaign begins May 27, 2024, with 373 million voters across 27 countries.
• Right-wing parties and populist movements are gaining momentum, potentially shifting EU priorities.
• Ursula von der Leyen seeks a second term as European Commission president, potentially with far-right support.
• Election outcome will impact EU policies on environment, economy, security, and more, affecting millions of citizens.
• Newly elected European Parliament will shape EU's future direction and approve/reject EU leaders.