Recap of European Elections (Part 1)
By Beatriz Santos Mayo , 5 minutes
Election results in Member States can influence the future of the Union in the dynamic political environment of Europe, where various nations with unique histories and cultures coexist. As the year progresses, it is essential to set off on a tour through the complexities of democracy in action throughout Europe, from the highly anticipated presidential elections to the pivotal parliamentary elections that determine the direction of legislative agendas. This article thoroughly analyses the recent elections across the European Union, focusing on the political dynamics, significant figures, and broader ramifications for the continent's future.
The European Union countries follow the principles of democracy, meaning that elections are essential to legitimise the country's government. It is indisputable that 2023 has been a hectic year for almost all European countries, with parliamentary to presidential elections taking place. It is essential to study each of them in depth so that it can be a predecessor to the 2024 European Parliamentary elections that will define the future of the European Union for the next 4 years.
Czech Republic - 13/14 January | Presidential Elections \ 27/28 January | Presidential elections (2nd round)
The Czech Republic headed to its third direct presidential election the past January, which needed two rounds to elect its next president.
Eight candidates were put in the first round, including the former Prime Minister Andrej Babiš and the ex-general Petr Pavel. The results were precise: Pert Pavel won 35.4%, while the PM won 35%. Without a clear majority, the elections needed a second round to decide who would occupy Prague Castle for the next five years.
The ex-general was supported by most of the candidates that did not pass the second round. In contrast, the Prime Minister was supported by his party, the Communist Party and the far-right Tricolour Citizen’s movement. One characteristic that both countries have in common is that both carry a past affiliation with the Czechoslovak communist party.
This election was crucial not only for the future of the nation but also for the position of the country in the current war in Ukraine, with Babiš calling for peace and Pavel emphasising the need for solidarity.
The second round ended with Petr Pavel as the president of the Czech Republic with 58,31% of the votes. The victory was characterised as a win for liberal democracy by his supporters. The new Czech President supports same-sex marriage and other progressive policies. Pavel was congratulated by several European presidents, in particular Ukrainian President Zelensky, who claimed for future cooperation between both countries.
Cyprus - 5th February | Presidential elections \ 12 February | Presidential elections
Going to the Mediterranean Sea, the Cypriot Presidential elections were held in February, with 14 candidates running for their 13th presidential elections.
The favourite candidates were Andreas Mavroyiannis (Independent supported by AKEL) with 29%, who is a eurosceptic and Cypriot nationalist; Nikos Christodoulides (independent supported by DIKO, EDEK and DIPA) with 32%, pro-European and national conservative; and Averof Neofytou (Supported by DISY) with a 26%, liberal-conservative and Christian democrat.
After a second round, the Cyprus voters elected Nikos Christodoulides, the former Foreign Minister, as their next president, with 51.9% of the votes. Christodoulides will likely take a hard line on UN talks to end the island's decades-old division and fight against corruption.
Estonia - 5 March | Parliamentary Elections
On the Baltic Sea, Estonians casted their ballots in arguably the most tense election in the country's democratic history. Three political parties were fighting for power: the Reform Party with 31% of the votes, EK with 15%, and EKRE with 16%. It must be highlighted that the Estonia 200 party achieved 13% of the votes, while in the elections in 2019, it only got 9%.
The favourite party Reform promoted Ukraine's support and the refugees' acceptance. In contrast, parties like ERKE or EK denied the acceptance of more Ukrainian refugees and SDE and Estonia 200 supported integrating Russian-speaking kids in Estonian schools.
The result of the elections was the re-election of Kaja Kallas, president of the Reform Party, highlighting the solidarity with Ukraine. The election showed rejection of the radical parties and the growth of the interest in social issues.
Finland - 2 April | Parliamentary elections
Staying in the North of Europe, conservatism claimed victory against the left in Finland. Petteri Orpo's conservative National Coalition Party (Kokoomus) won with 20.8% of the vote ahead of Prime Minister Sanna Marin's Social Democrats, who finished third.
Sanna Marin, the ex-Prime Minister, became the youngest head of state in 2019, gaining recognition as a Millennial leader role model. She was criticised by conservatives in Finland for her liberal spending on pensions and education and is charged with weakening Finland's ability to weather financial turbulence economically.
After complex and extended talks, Petteri Orpo was elected on June 20 as Prime Minister at the head of a four-party coalition, including the far-right Finns Party. In addition to the NCP and the Finns Party, the new coalition comprises the more minor Swedish People's Party (RKP) and the Christian Democrats.
The new government has promised to reduce spending by six billion euros for four years. Also, a shift in immigration was announced by the new coalition last week.
The goal is to reduce the number of migrants the Nordic nation accepts through the UN refugee agency by half. Moreover, Orpo´s government seeks to create several social security benefit programs for temporary and permanent residents.
Bulgaria - 2 April 2023 | Parliamentary elections
Arriving in the Balkans, Bulgaria held its parliamentary elections last spring. The elections were initially scheduled to be held in November 2026, but due to that, no government was approved by the 48th Parliament, so a snap election was called, meaning that earlier elections needed to be held.
Boyko Borisov, a former prime minister of Bulgaria, leads the GERB-United Democratic Forces coalition. The newly formed coalition "We continue the change"-"Democratic Bulgaria" is made up of two of the parties that were in the coalition government of the former prime minister Kiril Petkov. GERB-UDF ultimately prevailed in the elections by a fragile margin. The nationalist Vazrazhdane party, the DPS party, the Bulgarian Socialist Party, and last but not least, Slavi Trifonov's ITN party are the other parties now represented in the parliament.
The problem now is that no party has a majority and no ability to form a majority with which to govern, meaning that decisions in terms of corruption, economy or the position of the country in current conflicts will be difficult to agree on.
Greece - 21 May | Early parliamentary elections \ Greece - 25 June | Early parliamentary elections
Finally, the last Balkan country to hold elections was Greece. Unfortunately, no party won enough votes in Greece's May elections to secure an absolute majority. The leftist Alexis Tsipras came in second with more than 17.8% of the vote, trailing Mitsotakis with 40.5%.
The conservative New Democracy of Mitsotakis added 40.5% of the votes in the Greek elections, making the group the most successful conservative party in Europe. With 11.8% of the vote, the Pasok-Kinal social democrats were the third-place political party, behind the Communist Party of Greece's 7.6%. Spartiates, a far-right party, is in fifth place with 4.6% of the vote.
The ruling party in Greece has managed to increase its performance and widen its gap with the opposition for the first time since 1974. In addition, a Greek Prime Minister has yet to be re-elected following a four-year term since 2010.
The leader of the Greek conservatives has affirmed after winning the repetition of the elections that the Greek people have given him a mandate to promote the reforms he needs so much. Mitsotakis has promised strong growth, which would allow salary increases and reform the health system.
