EU elections could bolster Euroscepticism

Subject

European Parliament elections.

Significance

Opinion polls suggest the European elections, which are due to take place across the EU from May 23-26, will produce a European Parliament (EP) that is more fragmented than ever before. That will make it harder for the EU to push through some important policy priorities, from climate change to immigration.

Impacts

• EP election results could have a significant impact on future government relations in Italy and Germany.
• Despite the rise of LREM, France is set to have a diminished role in the next EP if the Republican and Socialist parties perform badly.
• The necessity of ad-hoc coalitions for specific policy proposals will increase.
• Significant gains for the UK Brexit Party could have a decisive influence on the Conservative and Labour party’s Brexit strategy.