European Elections 2019: The Far-Right’s Growing Influence and the Urgent Need for United Action on Key Priorities

This Sunday, leaders from across Europe will gather to reflect on the results of the European Parliament elections. The far right has been particularly vocal in their reactions, with the National Front in France anticipating a significant victory for Jordan Bardellan. Despite the significance of these elections, many argue that the ultimate direction of Europe is not solely determined by the results.

Initially, the European Parliament elections were meant to increase enthusiasm for European integration among citizens. However, voter turnout has steadily declined since the first direct elections in 1979, dropping from 62 percent to a record low of 42.6 percent in 2014. The slight increase in turnout in the last elections was largely attributed to Brexit, which brought attention to the rise of far-right and Eurosceptic parties.

Moving forward, focus should be placed on strengthening Europe’s economy and security, as these are crucial to its stability and prosperity. With significant work lies ahead, it is imperative for European leaders to come together to address these challenges facing the continent. United efforts are necessary to prioritize key areas of growth and security for Europe, rather than getting caught up in secondary issues.