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Centre-right 'advance' in EU poll Centre-right 'advance' in EU poll
(30 minutes later)
Centre-right parties have gained ground in elections to the European Parliament, according to exit polls and initial results.Centre-right parties have gained ground in elections to the European Parliament, according to exit polls and initial results.
Results appeared immediately after voting ended in 19 EU countries at 2000 GMT. Eight other countries voted in the past few days.Results appeared immediately after voting ended in 19 EU countries at 2000 GMT. Eight other countries voted in the past few days.
All 736 parliament seats are up for grabs. Preliminary figures suggest the lowest-ever turnout, at 43.24%.All 736 parliament seats are up for grabs. Preliminary figures suggest the lowest-ever turnout, at 43.24%.
BBC correspondents say the figures will dent the EU's credibility.BBC correspondents say the figures will dent the EU's credibility.
EU PARLIAMENT ELECTIONS Thursday: UK and NetherlandsFriday: Ireland, Czech RepublicSaturday: Latvia, Cyprus, Malta, Slovakia, Italy and Czech RepublicSunday: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden Labour braced for European poll Q&A: European elections 2009 Euro election country-by-country Euro election graphical resultsEU PARLIAMENT ELECTIONS Thursday: UK and NetherlandsFriday: Ireland, Czech RepublicSaturday: Latvia, Cyprus, Malta, Slovakia, Italy and Czech RepublicSunday: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden Labour braced for European poll Q&A: European elections 2009 Euro election country-by-country Euro election graphical results
Fringe groups appear to have benefited, with far-right parties picking up seats in the Netherlands and Hungary, partial results suggest.Fringe groups appear to have benefited, with far-right parties picking up seats in the Netherlands and Hungary, partial results suggest.
Several governments battling the economic downturn look set for a heavy defeat, says the BBC's Oana Lungescu in Brussels.Several governments battling the economic downturn look set for a heavy defeat, says the BBC's Oana Lungescu in Brussels.
However, governing parties in France and Germany appear to have done relatively well despite the crisis. However, governing parties in France and Germany appear to have done relatively well despite the crisis. In partial results so far:
French President Nicolas Sarkozy's UMP trounced socialist opponents, while German Chancellor Angela Merkel's ruling centre-right grouping lost ground but finished ahead of its rivals.
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  • French President Nicolas Sarkozy's UMP trounced socialist opponents, while greens from the Europe-Ecologie party also made gains
In Italy, Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's centre-right coalition finished ahead of the socialist opposition, with between 39% and 43% of the vote, exit polls suggested.
  • German Chancellor Angela Merkel's ruling centre-right grouping lost ground but finished ahead of its rivals
    • In the UK, the governing Labour Party is expecting a serious defeat, possibly slipping to fifth or even sixth place.
  • In Italy, Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's centre-right coalition finished ahead of the socialist opposition, with between 39% and 43% of the vote, exit polls suggested
    • Meanwhile Spain's governing Socialists were slightly behind the opposition Popular Party, according to partial results.
  • In the UK, the governing Labour Party is expecting a serious defeat, possibly slipping to fifth or even sixth place
  • Spain's governing Socialists were slightly behind the opposition Popular Party, according to partial results
    • BBC Europe editor Mark Mardell in Brussels says the parliament in Brussels has been buzzing with activity.BBC Europe editor Mark Mardell in Brussels says the parliament in Brussels has been buzzing with activity.
    BBC COVERAGE HIGHLIGHTS full results for the UK and the rest of Europe from 2100 BST (2000 GMT) on Sunday Live text commentary telling the story as results come inStreaming video of the BBC election night TV programme with David Dimbleby Send us your comments In pictures: Voting in styleBBC COVERAGE HIGHLIGHTS full results for the UK and the rest of Europe from 2100 BST (2000 GMT) on Sunday Live text commentary telling the story as results come inStreaming video of the BBC election night TV programme with David Dimbleby Send us your comments In pictures: Voting in style
    Party groupings have quite literally set out their stalls along the main walkway, alongside mini TV studios - some rather grand and gleaming, others little more than a stool and camera, our correspondent says.Party groupings have quite literally set out their stalls along the main walkway, alongside mini TV studios - some rather grand and gleaming, others little more than a stool and camera, our correspondent says.
    Voters have been choosing representatives mainly from their own national parties, many of which then join EU-wide groupings with similarly-minded parties from other countries.Voters have been choosing representatives mainly from their own national parties, many of which then join EU-wide groupings with similarly-minded parties from other countries.
    The largest grouping has for the last five years been the centre-right EPP (288 seats out of a current 785), followed by the centre-left PES (216) and the liberal ALDE (100).The largest grouping has for the last five years been the centre-right EPP (288 seats out of a current 785), followed by the centre-left PES (216) and the liberal ALDE (100).
    Provisional figures released by the EU suggested turnout was at an all-time low in some countries, including France (40.5%) and Germany (42.2%).Provisional figures released by the EU suggested turnout was at an all-time low in some countries, including France (40.5%) and Germany (42.2%).
    In Malta, on the other hand, it was expected to near 80%, and in Brussels, there were long queues outside a polling station on the Grand Place on Sunday.In Malta, on the other hand, it was expected to near 80%, and in Brussels, there were long queues outside a polling station on the Grand Place on Sunday.
    Turnout has fallen at each European election in the last 30 years, from nearly 62% in 1979 to 45.47% in 2004.Turnout has fallen at each European election in the last 30 years, from nearly 62% in 1979 to 45.47% in 2004.
    Have you voted? What do you want to see from the new EU Parliament? You can send us your views using the form below:Have you voted? What do you want to see from the new EU Parliament? You can send us your views using the form below:
    The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions