How will nationalist parties shape EU policy after election gains?

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Nationalist Parties Poised to Influence EU Policy Following Election Gains

Nationalist, populist, and Eurosceptic parties are projected to secure just under a quarter of the seats in the European Parliament, signalling a shift in the political landscape. These parties intend to exert influence on EU policies from within the existing framework, rather than advocating for withdrawal from the bloc or its currency. This electoral performance reflects a broader Western trend of voters moving away from mainstream politics towards more radical alternatives.
Nationalist Leaders Already Hold Key Positions

The influence of nationalist parties is already evident with nationalist prime ministers currently leading governments in Hungary, Italy, and Slovakia. Furthermore, right-wing parties are either governing or providing support within ruling coalitions in Finland and Sweden. In the Netherlands, Geert Wilders' anti-immigrant Freedom Party is expected to become part of a governing coalition, demonstrating a tangible increase in their political power.
Erosion of Exclusionary Policies and Increased Youth Engagement

Historically, established parties have employed "cordon sanitaire" policies to isolate hard-right parties. However, these exclusionary tactics are reportedly eroding, with voters increasingly viewing their ballot for these parties as impactful rather than a protest vote. Populist parties have also effectively leveraged social media platforms, successfully engaging and attracting younger demographics, thereby broadening their electoral base.
Agenda for Policy Shifts within the EU

Following their electoral gains, these parties are articulating specific policy objectives. For instance, Gerolf Annemans of Belgium's Vlaams Belang party has suggested that the new European Parliament should dismantle the recently agreed EU migration pact, dilute the Green Deal, and identify a more right-leaning candidate for the European Commission Presidency. This indicates a clear intent to reshape key EU initiatives.
Leverage in Commission Leadership and Future Reforms

The potential need for centre-right European People's Party (EPP) to seek support from some right-wing nationalist factions, such as Italy's Brothers of Italy, to secure a second term for the current Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, grants these parties considerable leverage. This could translate into a right-wing push for increased external processing of migrants and a more stringent approach to reforms required for EU enlargement. While a complete control of vote outcomes by the radical right is deemed unlikely due to historical disunity, their collective influence on the broader political debate is anticipated to be significant.

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How will nationalist parties shape EU policy after election gains?

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