Heavily contested parliamentary elections in Georgia, presidential elections and a referendum on European Union membership in Moldova: both countries were closely watched by the EU with an eye to enlargement, but took different turns towards that goal. At the same time, the votes were allegedly stained by Russian interference.
The French left-wing alliance New Popular Front has won a surprise victory in Sunday’s legislative elections. Some EU leaders are hailing the result as a relief for European integration, averting a French government led by nationalists and eurosceptics. France now enters a period of political uncertainty as it tries to form a new government.
German lawmakers, including MEP Katarina Barley (S&D), welcomed the Labour Party’s landslide victory in the United Kingdom’s general election.
At an informal summit in Brussels on Monday, EU leaders are expected to negotiate the distribution of the EU’s top jobs after the elections – notably the posts of European Commission President, European Council President and foreign affairs chief.
Ursula von der Leyen is seeking a second term as president of the European Commission. EU leaders will meet for an informal summit next Monday to discuss her re-election.