Between 6-9 June 2024, the electorate of the European Union went to the polls, leading to the centre-right European People’s Party (EPP) upholding its position as the dominant faction within the European Parliament. Concurrently, a noticeable lean towards more conservative politics is on the horizon, albeit less dramatic than some pre-election analyses had suggested.
The European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR), Identity and Democracy (ID), and non-affiliated members (NI) have all strengthened their presence, hinting at a potential reshaping of the Parliament’s ideological landscape. Despite this, the EPP’s augmentation of seats by nine signifies its enduring prominence and the voters’ endorsement of its agenda.
The Social Democrats, securing the second-most seats, saw a modest reduction in their numbers, yet they outperformed expectations. In contrast, Renew Europe and the Greens/European Free Alliance, who had previously enjoyed significant electoral successes, encountered substantial setbacks.
Prospects for a parliamentary majority seem to be converging on a “super grand coalition” encompassing the EPP, the S&D, and Renew Europe, which together command an absolute majority. An alliance that includes the Greens could widen this majority, though it may also complicate consensus-building, especially on pivotal initiatives like the European Green Deal.
If you are curious to know more about the new power balance and coalition building, read our Senior Advisor Brian Hayes’ analysis of the morning-after.
All positions are determined on the basis of the official manifestos, position papers, and official statements of major EU political parties.
By hovering over the infographics below, the position of the party/group will appear.
Agree
Disagree
N/A
Digital
The EU should regulate AI further
Ban on targeted advertising
Taxation
Support a windfall tax
Support for digital taxation
Agri-food
Revive the Farm to Fork
Chemicals
Ban on forever chemicals (PFAS)
Economic Security
The EU must de-risk from China and build on the EU green deal industrial plan
Energy
Maintain commitment to the renovation of the EU building stock
Accelerate the energy transition
Competitiveness
The EU needs to be stronger and more competitive, supporting European Champions
Capital Market Union
Health
Increasing EU health research & innovation budgets
The EU should have a lesser role in health policy
Circular Economy
Reinforcement of European Green Deal
Trade
Should the EU retain its current free trade agenda
Defence
The EU needs stronger cooperation in security and defence
Mobility
Support for the ICE ban