The political center in Europe continues its shift towards the right.

Europe's gradual shift towards the right has been a journey where mainstream voices increasingly embrace once-fringe Euroskeptic views. While the anticipated gains for the far right in the European parliamentary elections might seem modest in raw numbers, they carry significant weight.

These results pose a considerable challenge to the pro-Europe establishment that currently holds sway in EU institutions. While the surge of far-right parties doesn't necessarily spell an existential crisis for the EU, it does signal a potential tightening of the Euroskeptic right's influence over the union's direction in the years to come.

In the aftermath, centrist parties, projected to maintain their status as the largest bloc in the European Parliament, may discuss forming a "grand coalition" to counter the rise of the far right. Despite substantial gains projected for the far right, centrist parties still maintain a lead.

However, cooperation within the centrist bloc isn't guaranteed. Despite their pro-EU stance, they differ on numerous policies, with some leaning towards aligning with the hard right. This dynamic could complicate the formation of the next European Commission and influence policy decisions in the parliament.

Moreover, domestic politics in member states, where right-leaning leaders hold significant positions, will also impact collaboration within the European Parliament. The gradual rightward shift in European politics has been evident over the years, with recent developments further solidifying this trend.

Giorgia Meloni's rise in Italian politics exemplifies this shift. Initially feared as a potential EU disruptor, she has worked constructively with EU counterparts while pushing for policy changes, notably on migration.

Contrary to the Brexit vote in 2016, where Euroskeptics aimed to leave the EU, today's Euroskeptics seek to gain control within it. Looking ahead to future elections across Europe, this aspiration appears increasingly plausible.

While European elections often reflect national political sentiments, they also highlight the ongoing rightward drift across the continent. These insights, gleaned from CNN reporting, underscore the evolving political landscape in Europe.

Exit polls reveal Hungarian PM Viktor Orban's Fidesz party as the leading contender.

According to an exit poll, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's Fidesz party, in coalition with the country’s Christian Democratic People's Party (KDNP), has secured the top position with 43.7% of the vote.

However, this marks a decrease of approximately 10% in support since 2019. The Tisza party, led by political newcomer Peter Magyar, secured second place with 30.7% of the vote.

It's noteworthy that Orban’s party currently lacks political affiliation in Brussels after Italy’s Giorgia Meloni declined Orban's invitation to join the right-wing European Conservatives and Reformists Group (ECR).

Criticism has been directed at Orban, particularly since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, for impeding the EU's efforts to provide aid to Kyiv.

In 2019, Fidesz faced suspension from the center-right European People’s Party (EPP) due to concerns over democracy and the rule of law in Hungary.

According to the country's exit poll, Giorgia Meloni's right-wing Brothers of Italy party is in the lead.

An exit poll indicates that Giorgia Meloni's right-wing Brothers of Italy party holds a significant lead over the country’s Democratic Party (PD), securing 28% of the vote.

In contrast, PD stands at second place with 23% of the vote, a share similar to its 2019 performance. The Five Star Movement follows in third place with 12%.

During the 2022 Italian election, Meloni, who currently chairs the right-wing European Conservatives and Reformists Group (ECR), voiced strong opposition to LGBTQ+ rights and emphasized immigration reform.

However, she has since adopted a more moderate stance, endorsing various EU initiatives, including support for Ukraine.

Von der Leyen asserts, "The center remains stable."

Despite the rise in support for far-right parties, European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen emphasized that the final exit poll still signifies success for the continent's political mainstream. Von der Leyen's European People's Party (EPP) is anticipated to maintain its position as the largest political bloc in the European Parliament with 189 seats. Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, echoed this sentiment, stating that the exit poll demonstrates that "the constructive, pro-European center has prevailed.

The Belgian prime minister steps down following a significant defeat for his party in both national and European elections.

Belgium's Prime Minister, Alexander De Croo, has tendered his resignation following his party's significant setback in both national and European parliamentary elections on Sunday. The 48-year-old struggled to contain his emotions as he announced his decision on Sunday evening in Brussels.

"I led this campaign, and the outcome is not what I had hoped for. Therefore, I take responsibility for this outcome," De Croo expressed to reporters. "As of tomorrow, I will step down as prime minister and focus entirely on current affairs."

Regarding the European Parliament, De Croo's Open VLD party also faced a disappointing performance, securing only 5.8% of the vote, as per RTBF polling. The far-right Vlaams Belang party and the Flemish nationalist N-VA party emerged closely matched, with 14.8% and 14.2% of the vote share, respectively, according to the RTBF poll.

During his resignation address, De Croo assured a smooth transition of power to his successor, emphasizing his belief that Belgium "requires a new government with full authority to undertake its responsibilities.

The president of the EPP pledges to prevent the far right from gaining "any form of influence" in the European Parliament.

Manfred Weber, leader of the European People's Party (EPP), announced that his coalition will strive to exclude far-right parties from any governing coalition. Following the projection that the EPP would continue as the largest grouping in Brussels, Weber encouraged other mainstream parties to unite with the EPP's "pro-European, pro-democratic alliance."

"The European People’s Party stands as one of the original architects of today's European Union," Weber affirmed.

"We created today’s Europe and that’s why all those who want to destroy our Europe are our enemies and we will fight against them. We will not allow them to have any kind of influence on the European level."

The EPP boasts 13 members who are heads of state or government, including Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer, and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.

                                                                                                                                                                                sourced from CNN