However, the European Parliament vote was not as far-right as some in the mainstream had feared. The center-right won in Germany and did well elsewhere to increase its general dominance in Europe’s legislature. Meanwhile, the center-left bloc largely held its ground.
“We are the pillars of stability,” EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told supporters of her center-right group in Brussels. “This is a great message for all of us.”
Scandinavia reversed the trend of right-wing gains, while populists lost ground in Sweden, Denmark and Finland. However, liberal, green and left-wing parties across the continent suffered heavy losses at the expense of the nationalist right.
In Germany, the Alternative for Germany, or AfD, overcame a series of pre-election scandals to overtake Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s Social Democrats to become the country’s second-largest party in Europe.
Italy’s right-wing party Brothers of Italy, led by Giorgia Meloni, doubled its seats in the assembly.
But the biggest upset so far came in France, where the National Rally is projected to win around 32% of the vote, while Macron’s Renaissance party is projected to get 15%.
Though Le Pen leads the party, its European efforts are spearheaded by far-right poster boy Jordan Bardella, 28. “Tonight, our countrymen have expressed their desire for change,” he said. “Emmanuel Macron is a weak president tonight.”
The president immediately announced two-stage legislative elections on June 30 and July 7. Bardella, a rising star in French politics, will be Le Pen’s candidate for prime minister.
This adds to an already busy summer for France, as the date comes less than three weeks before it hosts the Olympics.
International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach said there would be no issue, but Paris’ Socialist mayor Anne Hidalgo said it was “troubling” to hold the vote so close to a major sporting event.
There will be no runoff election for the French presidency. Le Pen still has three years left in his term after a crushing defeat in 2022. But that risks handing power to his party in the French legislature.
That could mean the start of a chaotic and conflict-ridden period of power-sharing between the centrist Macron and his right-wing rival — hampering Europe’s bid to be seen as a genuine global leader.
According to Eurasia Group’s Rehman, Macron hopes that voters will reject Le Pen’s policies when faced with them in domestic elections, thus halting the advance of far-right forces.
“Is this a risky or crazy gamble?” said Rahman, adding that the stakes are high and Macron’s gamble could easily backfire. “France is restless.”
