Far-right parties made notable gains in the European Union elections on Sunday, dealing a significant blow to French President Emmanuel Macron and the Greens. Here are five key takeaways from the vote, which saw centrist political groups emerge relatively unscathed and voter turnout higher than in 2019 across the bloc's 27 states.

Far-right gains

Far-right parties triumphed in France, Italy, and Austria, while Germany's AfD secured second place, ahead of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's SPD. The hard-right also performed well in the Netherlands. However, experts cautioned against overstating their success, noting these are "second-order elections."

Francesco Nicoli from Bruegel think tank remarked, "The far right did well but not excellent." Christine Verger of the Jacques Delors think tank added, "We cannot say this is a very significant push as things stand." Speculation about the unification of far-right groups Identity and Democracy (ID) and the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) was dismissed by Verger.

Weaker Macron

Macron emerged as the biggest loser, with his liberal party losing to France's National Rally led by Marine Le Pen. In response, Macron dissolved France's national parliament and called for snap elections. Despite this, he remains a significant player in the EU, though his party's influence within the Renew grouping is expected to diminish.

Return of von der Leyen

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had a favorable outcome, bolstering her bid for a second five-year term. Her party, the European People's Party (EPP), remains the largest in parliament, and she is likely to garner the necessary support from the Socialists and Democrats, along with potential backing from liberals, ECR, or Greens.

Wilting Greens

The Greens faced disappointment, projected to lose around 20 EU lawmakers. Concerns about security, the cost of living, and migration overshadowed environmental issues. However, Greens' EU lawmaker Bas Eickhout highlighted their success in the Netherlands, Spain, and smaller northern and Baltic countries.

Far-right parties made notable gains in the European Union elections on Sunday, dealing a significant blow to French President Emmanuel Macron and the Greens. Here are five key takeaways from the vote, which saw centrist political groups emerge relatively unscathed and voter turnout higher than in 2019 across the bloc's 27 states.

Far-right gains

Far-right parties triumphed in France, Italy, and Austria, while Germany's AfD secured second place, ahead of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's SPD. The hard-right also performed well in the Netherlands. However, experts cautioned against overstating their success, noting these are "second-order elections."

Francesco Nicoli from Bruegel think tank remarked, "The far right did well but not excellent." Christine Verger of the Jacques Delors think tank added, "We cannot say this is a very significant push as things stand." Speculation about the unification of far-right groups Identity and Democracy (ID) and the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) was dismissed by Verger.

Weaker Macron

Macron emerged as the biggest loser, with his liberal party losing to France's National Rally led by Marine Le Pen. In response, Macron dissolved France's national parliament and called for snap elections. Despite this, he remains a significant player in the EU, though his party's influence within the Renew grouping is expected to diminish.

Return of von der Leyen

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had a favorable outcome, bolstering her bid for a second five-year term. Her party, the European People's Party (EPP), remains the largest in parliament, and she is likely to garner the necessary support from the Socialists and Democrats, along with potential backing from liberals, ECR, or Greens.

Wilting Greens

The Greens faced disappointment, projected to lose around 20 EU lawmakers. Concerns about security, the cost of living, and migration overshadowed environmental issues. However, Greens' EU lawmaker Bas Eickhout highlighted their success in the Netherlands, Spain, and smaller northern and Baltic countries.