The European Union (EU) is the world’s largest transnational government. It is responsible for administering laws and regulations that cover the whole continent. The Union has become increasingly important in global politics, leading to the establishment of the European Parliament as its legislative body. Until recently, every two and half years, new elections were held to elect the political parties that would represent the EU in Parliament. The 2019 EU Elections marked a new era for the Union with changing voting trends that have important implications for EU politics.
Voting Trends in the EU Elections
The 2019 EU Elections reflected a dramatic shift in the political landscape of the Union. Unlike in previous years, citizens across Europe began to vote in larger numbers than ever before. This increase in voter turnout can be credited mainly to a surge in populist sentiment across the continent. In the months leading up to the vote, several far-right and eurosceptic political parties began to gain traction, galvanizing considerable numbers of voters in their respective countries. This lead to a narrowing of the center-right political gap, which is comprised of the traditional ruling parties of the European Union.
The results of the election demonstrated that right-wing populists had made major gains, while the traditional center-right parties had suffered tangible losses. The most noteworthy success was that of the eurosceptic League Party in Italy, which received 34.4% of the vote in the country. This was followed by the Freedom Party of Austria and the Swedish Democrats, both of which gained momentum before and during the election. In France, the far-right National Rally party also experienced great success with its leader Marine Le Pen coming in second overall.
The UK’s Brexit Party also experienced a surge in popularity in the lead up to the EU Elections. Despite being a newly formed party, it swept the polls in the UK, becoming the most successful single party in the entire country. This success was followed by gains from the Brexit Party in other parts of the continent, namely in the Netherlands where it finished second.
Implications for EU Politics
The outcome of the EU Elections has left the European Union in a potential state of flux. The collective success of the far-right and eurosceptic parties in the Union has raised serious concerns about the future of the EU. The new political environment has created a situation where traditional center-right parties must compete with populist counterparts for voter approval. This has caused a power struggle in the European Parliament, leading to the imposition of numerous laws and regulations designed to reduce the influence of eurosceptic politicians.
Furthermore, the election of populist parties to the European Parliament has opened the door to the implementation of controversial policies. As these new parties have a more nationalistic outlook, they have sought to introduce measures that are focused on the interests of their own countries. This has created a conflict between the ideals of the Union and the individual interests of certain member states.
The success of the far-right and eurosceptic parties has also challenged existing agreements and treaties between the Union and its member countries. For example, the rising influence of right-wing populism in the UK between the 2017 and 2019 EU Elections has been credited for the gradual erosion of the agreement to allow for the free movement of citizens and goods throughout the EU. This has allowed for the proliferation of nationalist sentiments in the UK and the US, leading to a potential trade war between the two countries.
The 2019 EU Elections marked a major change in European politics. Right-wing populist parties from across the continent gained traction and saw considerable success, narrowing the gap between the traditional center-right and eurosceptic political sides. This shift resulted in the introduction of policies that are more focused on the interests of individual nations, leading to a potential power struggle within the European Parliament. Additionally, existing treaties and agreements between the Union and its member countries have come under threat, with the free movement of citizens and goods between the UK and the US potentially being reduced. These developments and the implications they may have for the future of the European Union must be watched closely in the coming years.
