Three key women in the European Parliament elections: Von Der Leyen, Meloni, and Le Pen

The European Parliament elections that will take place this Thursday have aroused great interest and expectation throughout the European Union. With an uncertain geopolitical context and the increasing presence of far-right forces, three women stand out as key figures to define the future of the bloc: Ursula Von Der Leyen, Giorgia Meloni, and Marine Le Pen. Giorgia Meloni, the current Prime Minister of Italy, has been considered the "moderate" face of the European far-right. With her pragmatism and close relations to Brussels, Meloni has led the European Conservatives and Reformists group in Parliament, seeking to present herself as a moderate conservative and mediator within the radical right. On the other hand, Marine Le Pen, leader of France's National Rally, aims to unite the far-right in the European Parliament. Despite differences with Meloni, Le Pen has expressed interest in forming a large sovereignist bloc in the EU, seeking to limit the influence of European institutions on citizens' daily lives. In contrast, Ursula Von Der Leyen, the current President of the European Commission, faces the possibility of forming specific alliances with Meloni's group while ruling out working with Le Pen's bloc, which she considers an ally of Russia. The formation of these alliances could influence decision-making and the acquisition of votes for Von Der Leyen's potential re-election. Polls indicate a strengthening of the far-right in these elections, which could impact crucial issues such as migration, international relations, and climate change combat policies. The possibility of an alliance between the EPP and the ECR poses challenges and tensions in the configuration of majorities in the European Parliament, especially considering some blocs' refusal to cooperate with radical and far-right forces. Thus, the decisions made by Von Der Leyen, Meloni, and Le Pen in the upcoming European elections will have significant repercussions on the future of the European Union. The political balance in forming alliances and majorities will be crucial in addressing the challenges facing the bloc in a context of global changes and transformations. With information from AFP and Reuters, it is expected that citizen participation in these elections will be high, reflecting the importance of these decisions for the direction of Europe.