Populars are going to be the first group of the European Parliament even after this round of elections, even though with significantly less MEPs than the current term. Socialist will get more seats, and the left likewise (even with a more remarkable growth). Both Greens and Liberals will get less MEPs, while Eurosceptics will be more numerous. This is the final forecast elaborated by VoteWatch just few hours before the opening of the ballots for the European elections.
According to the poll, the EPP is supposed to obtain 217 MEPs (28.9 percent) instead of the current 274. S&D will get 201 seats (26.8 percent) instead of the current 196. Liberals lose ground and with a 7.9 percent of preferences could obtain 59 MEPs, while GUE should be the fourth group at the Parliament with 7.1 percent of preferences and 53 MEPs (18 more than in the current term). Greens could register a strong decrease – from 57 to 44 seats if forecast is to be confirmed. ECR conservatives could fall as well, from 57 MEPs to 42.
As already considered, EFD eurosceptics (the Italian Northern League and the UKIP led by Nigel Farage belong to this group) could rise to 40 MEPs (from 31). The NI group could become remarkably huge – it counts for instance the French Front National, led by Marine Le Pen and some parties which are not present in the Parliament, as the Italian M5S: it should in fact get 95 MEPs, instead of the current 33.
