The 2024 European elections will see a shift in the balance of power within the right-leaning parliament

Abstract

The European elections were held in June of last year. In excess of 400 million voters were mobilised in 27 countries with disparate electoral systems, with the objective of electing the largest transnational parliament in the world. The result was the ascendance of radical right-wing populist parties, which achieved their best result in history. Concurrently, the relative weight of the main pro-European formations, which have shared the EU’s institutional power over the last 40 years, diminished. This creates a scenario of uncertainty and numerous challenges for the next five years. This article initially examines the context in which these elections occurred, offering a retrospective analysis of the von der Leyen Commission’s tenure. Subsequently, the article examines the European results in their entirety, as well as the outcomes in Spain. It considers the implications of these results for the forthcoming election in 2024, while also considering the potential impact on the 2019 election. In conclusion, the potential challenges that the Union may face in the future are identified.