EU Faces Challenges as Far-Right Parties Gain Power

Ursula von der Leyen has been re-elected as President of the European Commission following the recent European Parliament elections, where center-right parties performed strongly. Despite the rise of far-right parties, the coalition of center parties maintains a majority in the European Parliament, holding 188 seats. However, the increasing political fragmentation complicates coalition-building, particularly in the European Parliament, which may lead to challenges in policymaking. The far-right's influence is expected to be more pronounced in the European Council, where heads of state and government convene. In her re-election speech, von der Leyen outlined her plans to enhance the Commission's role in defense, economic security, and competitiveness, building on her previous term's achievements, which included managing the EU's response to the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The swift nomination by the Council for her second term was unexpected, indicating a consensus among EU leaders despite the political landscape's fragmentation. The rise of far-right parties has been fueled by domestic issues, particularly immigration, which has garnered significant support in recent elections. The extreme-right Patriots for Europe and the radical right Conservatives and Reformists have gained seats, reflecting a shift in the political dynamics within the EU. This shift poses a challenge for von der Leyen as she navigates her new term amidst a divided political environment. Overall, the upcoming term for von der Leyen is expected to be challenging, as she must balance the interests of various political factions while addressing pressing issues facing the EU. The political fragmentation may hinder effective governance and complicate the EU's ability to respond to future crises.