Europe: Right Turn of the European Parliament and Political Instability
2024-06-12
■ The European Parliament elections, a significant event in European politics, saw the pro-EU camp maintain a majority position, while the number of seats for the far right and the right increased significantly.
■ The political landscape has witnessed a shift in power, with the political capital of middle and left-wing governments such as Germany and France decreasing. In contrast, right-wing governments have consolidated their foundations.
Last week (June 9-10), the European Parliament elections were held in EU member states. According to preliminary results as of June 10, the center-right European People's Party (EPP), to which the President of the European Commission under Von der Leyen belongs, became the first party, and the center-left Social Democratic Progressive Alliance (S&D) became the second party. The number of seats for the third party, the European Renew (with the participation of French President Macron's political party), and the last breakthrough, the European Green Party Free Alliance (Greens EFA) and other liberal parties, has significantly decreased. In contrast, the number of seats for far-right and right-wing parties such as the European Conservative Reform (ECR, with the participation of Italian Prime Minister Meloni's political party, etc.) and the Identity and Democracy (ID, with the involvement of French far-right political parties such as the National Union) has increased significantly. According to the latest European opinion poll (EU Poll, ST101) conducted from April to May, Ukraine (35%), immigration (24%), international situation (22%), price increases (19%), and environment and climate change (16%) are among the top two most important issues in the EU. Due to the Ukraine crisis, people's attention to issues such as defense, security, and energy prices has increased, which has become a driving force for the rise of conservative parties.
The European Parliament and the Council of the European Union (composed of member states) are jointly responsible for the legislative functions of the European Union. Elections adopt a proportional representation system, where members of parliament are elected based on the vote share of political parties in each country. Political parties from various countries will join parties with standard policies and beliefs to engage in political activities. The pro-EU camp maintains a majority of seats even up to the third party, thus maintaining policy continuity at the EU level. Although it is necessary to rely on the cooperation of other parties in formulating laws, with the rise of conservative parties, the priority of defense, security, and immigration issues will increase, making it more challenging to promote innovative policies related to the environment and climate change.
The rise of the right-wing in the European parliamentary elections has impacted the country's political stability. In countries such as Germany and France, which have reduced their seats, the political capital of middle and left-wing governments (such as support rates and other policy drivers) has decreased, especially after a significant defeat. France's political capital has been severely depleted, and President Macron has exercised the power to dissolve the National Assembly (lower house). It will hold a general election (first round of voting: June 30, final round voting: July 7). This is to restore political capital by opposing extreme right-wing voting, but the result will mean that extreme right-wing parties may appear in the prime minister position. In contrast, Italy, where the right-wing ruling party has become the first party, has strengthened Prime Minister Meloni's political capital, expanded his influence in the European Union, and laid the foundation for political stability.
■ The political landscape has witnessed a shift in power, with the political capital of middle and left-wing governments such as Germany and France decreasing. In contrast, right-wing governments have consolidated their foundations.
Last week (June 9-10), the European Parliament elections were held in EU member states. According to preliminary results as of June 10, the center-right European People's Party (EPP), to which the President of the European Commission under Von der Leyen belongs, became the first party, and the center-left Social Democratic Progressive Alliance (S&D) became the second party. The number of seats for the third party, the European Renew (with the participation of French President Macron's political party), and the last breakthrough, the European Green Party Free Alliance (Greens EFA) and other liberal parties, has significantly decreased. In contrast, the number of seats for far-right and right-wing parties such as the European Conservative Reform (ECR, with the participation of Italian Prime Minister Meloni's political party, etc.) and the Identity and Democracy (ID, with the involvement of French far-right political parties such as the National Union) has increased significantly. According to the latest European opinion poll (EU Poll, ST101) conducted from April to May, Ukraine (35%), immigration (24%), international situation (22%), price increases (19%), and environment and climate change (16%) are among the top two most important issues in the EU. Due to the Ukraine crisis, people's attention to issues such as defense, security, and energy prices has increased, which has become a driving force for the rise of conservative parties.
The European Parliament and the Council of the European Union (composed of member states) are jointly responsible for the legislative functions of the European Union. Elections adopt a proportional representation system, where members of parliament are elected based on the vote share of political parties in each country. Political parties from various countries will join parties with standard policies and beliefs to engage in political activities. The pro-EU camp maintains a majority of seats even up to the third party, thus maintaining policy continuity at the EU level. Although it is necessary to rely on the cooperation of other parties in formulating laws, with the rise of conservative parties, the priority of defense, security, and immigration issues will increase, making it more challenging to promote innovative policies related to the environment and climate change.
The rise of the right-wing in the European parliamentary elections has impacted the country's political stability. In countries such as Germany and France, which have reduced their seats, the political capital of middle and left-wing governments (such as support rates and other policy drivers) has decreased, especially after a significant defeat. France's political capital has been severely depleted, and President Macron has exercised the power to dissolve the National Assembly (lower house). It will hold a general election (first round of voting: June 30, final round voting: July 7). This is to restore political capital by opposing extreme right-wing voting, but the result will mean that extreme right-wing parties may appear in the prime minister position. In contrast, Italy, where the right-wing ruling party has become the first party, has strengthened Prime Minister Meloni's political capital, expanded his influence in the European Union, and laid the foundation for political stability.