Netherlands (Transatlantic Today) – Polls opened in the Netherlands on Thursday to kick off four days of voting in European Union parliamentary elections across the 27 member states that are expected to deliver gains for the hard right.
Geert Wilders Casts His Vote
Geert Wilders, of the far-right Party for Freedom, or PVV, was among the first prominent politicians to vote. After sending shockwaves throughout Europe six months ago by becoming the largest party in the Dutch national parliament, he now wants to build on that popularity and set the tone for much of the bloc, with calls to return powers to national capitals and away from the EU so that member states have more autonomy on issues like migration.
Hard Right Strategy
Despite advocating for more national control, Wilders and other hard-right leaders seek to boost their influence within the European Parliament to weaken EU institutions from within. Wilders is calling for an alliance of hard-right parties to challenge the traditional coalition of Christian Democrats, Socialists, Liberals, and Greens, according to Voanews.
Opposite Visions for the EU
Wilders, along with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and French opposition leader Marine Le Pen, contrasts sharply with left-leaning and centrist parties that support a more unified European approach. Pro-Europe voters, like Gerard Kroon, stresses the significance of EU cooperation on global issues.
Rise of Support for Populist Parties
Since the last EU elections five years ago, populist and far-right parties have gained significant support, now leading governments in three EU nations and participating in coalitions in several others. This trend underscores the high stakes of these elections, with nearly 400 million voters electing 720 members of the European Parliament.
Voting Schedule and Impact
The Netherlands began its single-day voting early, followed by Ireland and the Czech Republic on Friday, with the remaining EU nations voting over the weekend. Results will be announced on Sunday night after all member states have completed voting. The outcomes will influence various global issues, including climate policies, defense, migration, and relations with China and the United States.
Political Landscape in the Netherlands
The Netherlands, a founding EU member, has shown increasing dissatisfaction with the EU. Research indicates that while Dutch citizens generally support remaining in the EU, they also desire greater self-sufficiency. Wilders’ PVV, popular among farmers critical of EU regulations, could surpass the combined Labor Party and Green Left in this election.
Post-Election Procedures
Following the election, MEPs will elect their president at the first plenary session, which runs from July 16 to July 19. Then, most likely in September, they will nominate the president of the European Commission based on a member-state recommendation. In 2019, von der Leyen narrowly won the election to become the institution’s first female leader. She wishes to serve a second term.
Redistribution of seats
Following the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, the number of MEPs was reduced from 751 to 705. The seats previously held by British MEPs were redistributed to other member states. MEPs play a major role in voting on legislation, including banking regulations, climate policy and the EU budget.
Conclusion
The European Union elections ae an important democratic exercise that has essential impacts on the future direction of the bloc. The results of the elections, which will take place in all member states, will determine the EU’s approach to major global challenges.