European leaders from across the continent will gather this Sunday to celebrate and reflect on the results of the recent 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 their significance, many argue that the ultimate direction of Europe is not solely determined by the results of these elections. National governments and parliaments still hold sway over key decisions, and it is imperative for leaders to prioritize key areas of growth and security for Europe rather than getting caught up in secondary issues.
In fact, voter turnout has been declining since the first direct elections in 1979, with it dropping to a record low of 42.6 percent in 2014. While historically intended to increase enthusiasm for European integration among citizens, the opposite effect has occurred. However, a slight increase in turnout was seen during the last elections due to Brexit’s impact on bringing attention to far-right and Eurosceptic parties.
Moving forward, focus should be placed on strengthening the EU’s economy and security as these are crucial to its stability and prosperity. It is essential for European leaders to come together and address the challenges facing the continent with united efforts rather than getting bogged down in secondary issues.
