Voters in 21 nations head to polls in ‘Super Sunday’ EU election

By Stefan J. Bos 

Voters in 21 EU countries, including large nations such as Italy, France, Germany, Spain, and Poland, headed to the polls Sunday to choose the new European Parliament.

The EU vote, in which close to 400 million Europeans could participate, came while the continent witnessed polarised politics over issues ranging from the ongoing war in Ukraine to increased nationalism and migration.

Far-right and moderate right-wing parties are expected to make gains. Still, up to 100,000 Hungarians gathered in Budapest to support the opposition new Tisza party led by Peter Magyar, who is expected to get a third of the votes.

Earlier, many attended a massive peace march by Hungary’s prime minister, Viktor Orbán.

However, Hungary’s share in the European Parliament is tiny compared to Italy, which will hold 76 of the 720 seats in the new parliament. Experts say Italy could play a crucial role in deciding the balance of power in the bloc.

Polls suggest that the Italian prime minister’s Brothers of Italy party could decide the political fate of the EU’s executive European Commission chief, Ursula von der Leyen, who seeks a second term.