European Parliament Elections Outcome
From the list of candidates that EBA recommended in its special report from May 15, 2014, 16 out of 23 succeeded to secure a seat in the European Parliament. This gratifying outcome reflects to some extent the overall situation of the 2014-2019 legislature, which will see the same balance of power.
Although the three main political groups of the European Parliament have all lost seats, they will maintain their position of dominance as the top three parties in the Parliament.
With more than 50 seats fewer than before, the centre-right European People’s Party (EPP) holds a total of 221 seats in the European Parliament (29.43%). That puts it ahead of the Socialist group (S&D) with 191 seats (25.43%), Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) with 63 (8.39%), Liberals (ALDE) with 59 (7.86%) and Greens 54 (7.19%).
The Greens suffered tremendous losses in France, which will return only six MEPs, in contrast to 15 in 2009. Also in Germany the Green vote fell, reducing the number of its MEPs from 14 to 12. The Greens lost seats in other strongholds too, including the Netherlands and Sweden, but won seats in countries where they were previously unrepresented, including two seats in Hungary and one in Latvia.
In contrast, although behind of the Greens, the far-left GUE/NGL managed to secure 52 seats (6.92%), which means 17 seats more than during the previous legislature.
A particular uncertainty for the 2014-2019 period comes from the non-aligned MEPs that have gained considerable influence, holding currently a total of 36 seats. According to an analysis conducted by European Voice bright prospects are expected to continue, depending on how the formation of groups evolves. In the meanwhile, Marine Le Pen, non-aligned and leader of France’s Front National, is pushing to set up a group for far-right MEPs.
The outcome of the 2014 elections has brought some changes, but it is unlikely that the European Parliament will adopt a fundamentally different approach. EBA will continue to strengthen its cooperation with re-elected MEPs and will try to create a wave of support among the newly elected MEPs.
