This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/8088309.stm

The article has changed 32 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 20 Version 21
Voters steer Europe to the right Voters steer Europe to the right
(about 1 hour later)
Centre-right parties have done well in elections to the European Parliament at the expense of the left.Centre-right parties have done well in elections to the European Parliament at the expense of the left.
Far-right and anti-immigrant parties also made gains, as turnout figures plunged to 43% - the lowest since direct elections began 30 years ago. Far-right and anti-immigration parties also made gains, as turnout figures plunged to 43% - the lowest since direct elections began 30 years ago.
The UK Labour Party, Germany's Social Democrats and France's Socialist Party were heading for historic defeats.The UK Labour Party, Germany's Social Democrats and France's Socialist Party were heading for historic defeats.
The centre-right European People's Party (EPP) looks set to continue to hold power in the parliament.The centre-right European People's Party (EPP) looks set to continue to hold power in the parliament.
Jose Manuel Barroso, who seems set for a second term as European Commission president following the centre-right success, thanked voters and assured them their voices would be heard.Jose Manuel Barroso, who seems set for a second term as European Commission president following the centre-right success, thanked voters and assured them their voices would be heard.
FALLING TURNOUT 1979 - 62%1984 - 59%1989 - 58%1994 - 57%1999 - 50%2004 - 45%2009 - 43% Results from Europe's big six UK Labour's historic defeat Robinson: Brown in a hole Reaction: European elections In pictures: Highs and lowsFALLING TURNOUT 1979 - 62%1984 - 59%1989 - 58%1994 - 57%1999 - 50%2004 - 45%2009 - 43% Results from Europe's big six UK Labour's historic defeat Robinson: Brown in a hole Reaction: European elections In pictures: Highs and lows
"Overall, the results are an undeniable victory for those parties and candidates that support the European project and want to see the European Union delivering policy responses to their everyday concerns," he said."Overall, the results are an undeniable victory for those parties and candidates that support the European project and want to see the European Union delivering policy responses to their everyday concerns," he said.
Socialist leader Martin Schulz said his group's defeat would be analysed.Socialist leader Martin Schulz said his group's defeat would be analysed.
"It's a sad evening for social democracy in Europe. We are particularly disappointed, [it is] a bitter evening for us," he said."It's a sad evening for social democracy in Europe. We are particularly disappointed, [it is] a bitter evening for us," he said.
Vice-president of the European Commission Margot Wallstrom said the low turnout was a "bad result".Vice-president of the European Commission Margot Wallstrom said the low turnout was a "bad result".
Government defeatsGovernment defeats
Fringe groups appear to have benefited, with far-right and anti-immigrant parties picking up seats in the Netherlands, Austria, Denmark, Slovakia and Hungary. The British National Party won two seats - its first ever in a nationwide election.Fringe groups appear to have benefited, with far-right and anti-immigrant parties picking up seats in the Netherlands, Austria, Denmark, Slovakia and Hungary. The British National Party won two seats - its first ever in a nationwide election.
Hungary's Jobbik party was one of several far-right groups to do wellHungary's Jobbik party was one of several far-right groups to do well
Sweden's Pirate Party, which wants to legalise internet file sharing, won 7% of the national vote and one of the country's 18 seats in the European Parliament.Sweden's Pirate Party, which wants to legalise internet file sharing, won 7% of the national vote and one of the country's 18 seats in the European Parliament.
Several governments battling the economic downturn are facing a heavy defeat, says the BBC's Oana Lungescu in Brussels.Several governments battling the economic downturn are facing 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. In results so far:However, governing parties in France and Germany appear to have done relatively well despite the crisis. In results so far:
  • French President Nicolas Sarkozy's UMP trounced socialist opponents, while greens from the Europe-Ecologie party also made gains
  • German Chancellor Angela Merkel's governing centre-right grouping lost ground but finished ahead of its rivals. The Social Democrats, Ms Merkel's partners in the grand coalition, saw their worst election showing since World War II
  • In Italy, Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's centre-right coalition is ahead of the socialist opposition, with around 35% of the vote
  • In the UK, the governing Labour Party suffered a serious defeat, gaining its lowest share of the vote for a century
  • Spain's governing Socialists were slightly behind the opposition Popular Party, according to partial results
  • Poland's governing centre-right Civic Platform has gained ground at the expense of the Eurosceptic Law and Justice Party
  • Early results show Portugal's ruling Socialists dropped a massive 18 percentage points, losing out mainly to Greens and far-left parties
  • French President Nicolas Sarkozy's UMP trounced socialist opponents, while greens from the Europe-Ecologie party also made gains
  • German Chancellor Angela Merkel's governing centre-right grouping lost ground but finished ahead of its rivals. The Social Democrats, Ms Merkel's partners in the grand coalition, saw their worst election showing since World War II
  • In Italy, Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's centre-right coalition is ahead of the socialist opposition, with around 35% of the vote
  • In the UK, the governing Labour Party suffered a serious defeat, gaining its lowest share of the vote for a century
  • Spain's governing Socialists were slightly behind the opposition Popular Party, according to partial results
  • Poland's governing centre-right Civic Platform has gained ground at the expense of the Eurosceptic Law and Justice Party
  • Early results show Portugal's ruling Socialists dropped a massive 18 percentage points, losing out mainly to Greens and far-left parties
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.
HAVE YOUR SAYHopefully a new parliament will do more to connect with the European electorateErling, Denmark Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAYHopefully a new parliament will do more to connect with the European electorateErling, Denmark Send us your comments
The centre-right EPP retains its place as the largest grouping for the last five years, securing an estimated 267 seats out of 736 (down from the previous 785). The centre-left PES is on 159, while the liberal ALDE has an estimated 81.The centre-right EPP retains its place as the largest grouping for the last five years, securing an estimated 267 seats out of 736 (down from the previous 785). The centre-left PES is on 159, while the liberal ALDE has an estimated 81.
Provisional figures released by the EU suggested turnout was at an all-time low in some countries, including France, where it dropped to 40.5%.Provisional figures released by the EU suggested turnout was at an all-time low in some countries, including France, where it dropped to 40.5%.
Lowest turnout was seen in Slovakia (19.6%) and Lithuania (20.9%), while the highest figures came from Luxembourg (91%) and and Belgium (85.9%) - both countries where voting is compulsory.Lowest turnout was seen in Slovakia (19.6%) and Lithuania (20.9%), while the highest figures came from Luxembourg (91%) and and Belgium (85.9%) - both countries where voting is compulsory.
Overall turnout has fallen at each European election in the last 30 years, from a high of nearly 62% in 1979.Overall turnout has fallen at each European election in the last 30 years, from a high of nearly 62% in 1979.