After the European Parliament elections, the number of deputies from far-right parties will exceed the number of deputies from the center-right and pro-Ukrainian European People’s Party (EPP) of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, according to Politico’s forecast.
This distribution of mandates does not mean that the EPP, which is currently the largest political bloc in the European Parliament, will take second place, as the fragmented far-right parties will almost certainly not be able to unite. However, this shows that Europe is moving to the right.
According to the forecast, the EPP, which seeks to win first place in next week’s elections, expects to win 170 seats. At the same time, the two main right-wing groups, the European Conservatives and Reformists and Identity and Democracy, are seeking 144 seats.
There are other extreme right-wing parties in the EP whose members are almost guaranteed to be elected. “Alternative for Germany is projected to win 16 seats, and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s Fidesz is expected to win 10 seats.
The French party Reconquista is expected to win five seats, Poland’s Confederation six, and the pro-Kremlin Bulgarian party Revival three. This will bring the number of far-right MEPs to 184.
Can these far-right MEPs unite after the elections? It remains doubtful.
Marine Le Pen of the National Rally from France is encouraging Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to form a far-right supergroup in parliament and become one of the leading political families in Europe. However, it’s not likely, as Meloni is a pro-Ukrainian leader, while Le Pen has a history of pro-Russian statements and past relations with the Kremlin.
According to predictions, Meloni’s Brothers of Italy might overtake the National Rally as the largest national party in the European Conservatives and Reformists group.
Meloni has said she is open to cooperation with any right-wing parties, but she has also received an offer to merge with von der Leyen’s EPP.
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