The European Union elects Parliament under the shadow of the far right.

The European Union elects Parliament under the shadow of the far right The elections to renew the European Parliament are in full swing, marked by uncertainty and anticipation regarding the possible strengthening of the far right in the political configuration of the bloc. With the participation of 27 European countries, voters are deciding the future of the 720 Members of the European Parliament, this being the first step in the renewal of EU leaders, such as the Presidents of the European Commission and the Council. Amid this scenario, a possible advance of far-right parties is looming, which according to polls, could obtain up to a quarter of the seats in the European Parliament, even threatening the representation of the Greens. The split of the far right into two blocs, Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) and Identity and Democracy (ID), opens the possibility for them to position themselves as relevant actors in EU political decisions. Sunday's election day is destined to redefine the political map of the European Union for the next five years, in a context marked by challenges such as the war in Ukraine and trade negotiations. The current President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, a member of the EPP and a candidate for a new term, has mentioned the possibility of forming alliances with far-right leaders, such as the Prime Minister of Italy, Giorgia Meloni. In Spain, which elects 61 of the 720 Members of the European Parliament, support for the EU remains high, with 67% favorability among citizens. However, the electoral atmosphere has been tainted by the judicial investigation of Begoña Gómez, wife of President Pedro Sánchez, for alleged corruption and influence peddling, leading to a polarization among political parties. In the European context, far-right parties such as National Rally in France, Alternative for Germany (AfD) in Germany, and other movements in countries like Hungary are also generating expectations about their performance in these elections. The possibility of these parties receiving strong support at the polls raises questions about the future of European integration and the balance of power in the European Parliament. With the election of the 720 European Members of Parliament underway, the European Union faces a crucial moment in its history, where the influence of the far right could have significant repercussions on decision-making and the political direction the bloc will take in the coming years. The results of these elections will mark a milestone in the configuration of the European Parliament and the future of the European Union in a context of growing polarization and internal and external challenges.