The European People’s Party (EPP) will have the highest number of deputies in a new European Parliament convening, according to the latest projections. According to data on the official website of the institution, the EPP will receive 180 seats, and analysts’ attention is drawn to the fact that the turnout in the European elections is the highest in the last 20 years.
50.5% of EU citizens eligible to vote took part in the European elections, the highest turnout in 20 years. pic.twitter.com/2Z6IJmAih0
— European Parliament (@Europarl_EN) May 26, 2019
The second largest group, as in the previous 5 years, will be the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (SD) with 147 deputies, while the three-digit number of representatives will have the Alliance of Liberal Democrats (ALDE) with 109 deputies. ALDE has made the biggest progress since the new convening will have 39 MPs more. The Green Party achieved the historically best success with 69 seats, largely thanks to the great support they received in Germany.
Conservatives and reformists will have 59 representatives, while they will be accompanied by two more right-wing options, Europe of Nations and Freedom, as well as Europe for Freedom and Direct Democracy.
EPP chief candidate Manfred Weber announced in the first reaction after the announcement of the results that he would not cooperate with parties that do not believe in the future of the EU.
“From now on, those who want a strong European Union must join forces,” Weber said.
SD leader Frans Timermans announced that “the main priority of his associates is to create a program that will focus on aspirations, dreams, and sometimes the fears of EU citizens.”