Macron dissolves Parliament as exit polls predict historic French far-right surge in EU polls

Exit polls are predicting far-right parties clinching 150 of the parliament’s 720 seats, following voting across the European Union’s 27 member states.

If the predicted seats are won then mainstream parties may find it harder to form majorities needed to pass laws.

In a speech late Sunday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was quoted as saying by CNN that the results showed her European People’s Party (EPP) – predicted to secure the most seats – could still act as an “anchor of stability,” but called on her political allies to help guard against extremist parties.

“The center is holding. But it is also true that the extremes on the left and on the right have gained support, and this is why the result comes with great responsibility for the parties in the center,” she told an audience in Brussels.

France dissolves parliament

With exit polls predicting Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally (RN) dominating the show, French President Emmanuel Macron surprised his nation by announcing his decision to dissolve the parliament and calling for snap polls.

"I dissolved the National Assembly this evening. A serious, heavy decision, but above all an act of trust in you, my dear compatriots," he posted on X.

Initial results showed RN securing 31.5% of the vote, more than double the share of Macron’s Renaissance Party, which scraped to second place on 15.2% of the vote, just ahead of the Socialists in third with 14.3%, reported CNN.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz struggles

Exit polls also showed a similar poor show by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

As per predictions, his Social Democrats (SD) scored their worst-ever result of 14%.

In the polls, the Christian Democrats Party (CDU) are estimated to dominate with  29.5% of the vote and the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) securing 16.5%.

Belgian PM Alexander De Croo resigns

Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo has resignred after the defeat of his Flemish Liberals and Democrats party (Open VLD) in the European elections.

"For us, it's a particularly difficult evening. We lost. As of tomorrow, I will resign as prime minister," De Croo announced in a speech to his supporters on Sunday almost moving to tears.

De Croo will submit his resignation to King Philippe, who has the power to reject it if he wants.

Domestic boost for Meloni in Italy

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni received a shot in the arm in domestic politics as well as in Europe after her far-right party won European elections in Italy with 28% of the votes. She is also going to play a bigger role in Europe now with her Brothers of Italy group winning the most votes in European parliamentary elections.

Meloni’s Brothers of Italy tightened its grip in Italy with the results improving from the 26% it won in the 2022 national ballots.

"Thank You!,"she posted on her X handle, celebrating that her party is the leading one in Italy with the results surpassing the last political elections.