Far-right Gains in EU Election Deal Shock Defeats to France's Macron and Germany's Scholz

The European Union elections held on June 6-9 were marked by significant outcomes in key countries such as France and Germany. In France, President Emmanuel Macron's party faced a shocking defeat at the hands of Marine Le Pen's National Rally, with Le Pen's party forecasted to win the majority of France's seats in the European Parliament. This unexpected turn of events prompted Macron to announce a snap legislative election, risking further loss of support for his party while potentially boosting the influence of the National Rally.

The rise of nationalist movements within the EU was further exemplified by far-right gains in Germany, where Chancellor Olaf Scholz's center-left governing coalition suffered a significant loss to the conservative opposition. As Germany looks ahead to a national election expected in the fall of the following year, the conservative bloc maintained its position as the strongest German party in Brussels. Additionally, the far-right Alternative for Germany made substantial gains despite facing scandals involving its top candidates for the EU legislature, marking a significant development given Germany's historical context.

In Hungary, long-serving Prime Minister Viktor Orban faced a new challenger in Péter Magyar, who disrupted Orban's grip on Hungarian politics. Orban's Fidesz party, known for upholding family values and Christian conservatism, saw a decrease in support in the EU elections, signaling potential shifts in Hungarian politics. Magyar's Respect and Freedom party presented a more centrist alternative to Orban's illiberal populism, garnering significant voter support based on accusations of corruption and mismanagement within the government.

Italy also witnessed shifts in the EU elections, particularly with Giorgia Meloni's far-right Brothers of Italy party gaining increased influence in the European Parliament. Meloni's party, rooted in neo-fascism, saw a surge in support, positioning her to play a more significant role in shaping EU policies. Despite Italy's complex political landscape, Meloni's strong stance on Ukraine and Israel policies has garnered support from centrist allies, while her domestic focus on culture wars reinforces her far-right credentials.