Safeguarding Democracy: Von der Leyen Vows to Erect a Bulwark Against Extremism

Monday 10 June 2024 - 10:10

Following the European elections, which witnessed a notable surge in support for far-right parties, Ursula von der Leyen, the incumbent President of the European Commission and a candidate for her own re-election, has firmly pledged to construct a formidable "bulwark" against extremist ideologies spanning the political spectrum.

"At this momentous juncture, alongside our allies, we commit to erecting a barrier against the extremes of both the left and the right," declared the leader of the European Union's executive body during a rally of the European People's Party (EPP) in Brussels, the party that emerged as the clear frontrunner in the elections.

"Tonight, the strength of the EPP is affirmed," von der Leyen declared with conviction. "We have emerged victorious in the European elections."

According to an initial projection released by the European Parliament, based on available electoral results, estimates, and published opinion poll data from each member state, the EPP secured the lead in the European elections (held from June 6th to 9th), followed by the Socialists and Democrats (S&D) group, which experienced a decline compared to the 2019 elections. Notably, the far-right, represented by the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) and Identity and Democracy (ID) groups, achieved an unprecedented surge in support.

The EPP is projected to hold 181 seats (+4), trailed by the S&D with 135 seats (-5), Renew Europe with 82 seats (-20), the ECR with 71 seats (+3), ID with 62 seats (+3), the Greens/European Free Alliance (Greens/EFA) with 53 seats (-19), and the European United Left/Nordic Green Left (GUE/NGL) with 34 seats (-3).

Despite the substantial gains made by far-right parties and the setbacks experienced by Renew and the Socialists and Democrats, the grand coalition in the European Parliament, comprising the EPP, S&D, and Renew, retains a commanding lead with 398 out of the 720 total seats.

As the dust settles on these consequential elections, von der Leyen's resolute pledge to erect a bulwark against extremism resonates profoundly. Her words underscore the European Union's unwavering commitment to safeguarding the principles of democracy, pluralism, and moderation that have formed the bedrock of the European project. By rallying allies across the political spectrum, von der Leyen aims to forge a united front, resilient against the encroachment of radical ideologies that threaten the very fabric of the European Union's shared values.