Elections Night 2014

The 2014 European Elections are now over. Europe has spoken and the final details are gradually added to the picture of the results. The political balance in the European Parliament, the political families the members belong to and the parliamentary groups, new and old, they will join or form is now emerging and will also be decisive in the choice of president of the European Commission.

What is very clear is that the long trend of falling participation in the vote has been reversed. As a percentage of the population, more Europeans than ever went to the polls to elect their representatives in what is one of the greatest exercises in parliamentary democracy worldwide. As Parliament moves towards the first, constitutive, plenary Session starting July 1, political groups across the political spectrum will be at the centre of all debates. To be recognised as such, a group needs at least 25 members from seven EU countries. This not an easy obstacle to surmount but exists exactly to ensure that every group it is representative of a fair portion of European public opinion. The existing groups, the European People’s Party, the Socialists and Democrats, the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats, the Greens, the United Left, the European Conservatives and Reformists and Europe of Freedom and Democracy may see their membership grow or drop, depending on the decisions of the elected members, they may split or be joined by one or more new groups, reflecting the particular political beliefs and aims of the members that will create them. Furthermore, Parliament is now called upon to ensure that the will of the people, as reflected by its political balance, is also heard loud and clear by the governments, when as is their duty, they propose to the Parliament a candidate to the presidency of the European Commission, taking into account as the treaties foresee the result of the elections.

The elections are now over and this site, the www.electionsnight2014.eu on Tumblr will no longer be updated.

As always, find all the latest news and results on the European Parliament website - in 24 languages.

The widget below will be continuously updated with the latest European projections as official national results are communicated by the respective authorities. 

Thank you for following our coverage.

After the results: Commission presidency candidates speak in Parliament

Right after the first projection of the new European Parliament was presented by the EP Spokesperson Jaume Duch, the candidates for the European Commission presidency took to the floor to give their first reactions to the result and answer the questions of the journalists gathered in the plenary hemicycle, serving as Parliaments’ Press centre for the night. Here is what they said…

Martin Schulz

"My suggestion is that all people speak to each other on the basis of political content. One thing is clear - the EPP is losing 60 seats in the Parliament and another thing is clear as well - without an agreement with the socialist and democrat wing in the Parliament, no majority is possible" - said Martin Schulz, Socialist Party candidate for the post of the president of the European Commission.

"We’ve mentioned during the elections campaign that a whole generation of women and men in Europe are paying for a crisis started by irresponsible people with their own hopes and their own future. I cannot accept this fact. We need to find a majority in the European Parliament to change Europe and move it in a different direction" - he added.

Jean-Claude Juncker

European People’s Party candidate Jean-Claude Juncker underlined that the European Council has to respect the results of the elections as well as the right of the party with the most seats to first present a candidate for President of the European Commission. “If the European leaders do not respect the principle that they have to choose one of the candidates, it is their problem”, he said.

"A clear pro-European majority can be built in the European Parliament. I think we will find common ground with the other parties. I want to work together with the Socialists in a positive way " - he added saying that there is common political ground between the Greens and the Christian Democrats too.

Guy Verhofstadt

The Alliance of Liberals and Democrats’ candidate for president of the Commission, Guy Verhofstadt said: “When we look at the projections it is clear, that a very stable majority is needed. The EPP & SD lost around 70 to 80 seats. There is a need of a broader negotiation with the third group. Negotiations should be based on content - the program of the next commission is vital, and should be different than the last 5 years” - he said.

"We do not want to continue the conservative policies. A new majority in this house should agree on a new leap forward in the integration of the European Union. Integration for growth" - stressed the Belgian candidate.

Ska Keller

Greens candidate Ska Keller said the elections were very good for her party, with the Greens getting second place in Sweden, scoring substantial gains in the UK and Austria and welcoming MEPs from new countries such as Ireland, Hungary and Croatia. The candidate for Commission president the Greens will support should offer green policies, fight for a socially just Europe and act for democracy. She also praised the big change in how the European elections are held now: “The introduction of official candidates for the Commission presidency was a good experience and brought more life into the European debate”.

Alexis Tsipras

"SYRIZA won a historic victory in Greece today. Coalitions are part of our program and we wish to build consensus on the basis of the rejection of austerity" - said the Greek candidate for the European Left, Alexis Tsipras. "Europe today made ​​a decisive step, an important step to stop the disastrous policy of austerity and return to democracy".

Political leaders took part in the press conference in the Parliament’s chamber to discuss the 2014 elections results.

Thousands of accredited journalists and VIPs, 100 TV+ networks broadcasting; It took considerable preparation to make this election night happen. To wrap up for tonight, here’s a short video of some of what it took to prepare the building and make all of Parliament’s guests feel welcome!

The head of the Socialist list, Francisco Assis, highlighted the “historical defeat of right” and declares that Portuguese people have reconciled with the Socialist Party (PS).

The head of Aliança Portugal list, Paulo Rangel considers it an “interesting result” when comparing with the results of other government parties in the UE.

Prime-Minister Pedro Passos Coelho recognized that the coalition lost these elections, but their defeat wasn’t as big as announced, nor was the PS victory as large as initially expected. He also stated he would stay in government until the end of the legislature.

Vice Prime-Minister Paulo Portas stressed that high abstention levels show lack of confidence in EU institutions.

João Ferreira of CDU: “Results show that troika’s parties lost”.  CDU demands anticipated elections and will present a censorship motion to the Government.

“Bloco de Esquerda” list head, Marisa Matias: “It wasn’t a good result.” 

Head of MPT Marinho Pinto: “We have to re-dignify politics and democracy, which is at the worse level”. 

Rui Tavares (current MEP), who is at the head of the list of the Livre Party, admitted his personal defeat.

Sources: (in Portuguese)

http://www.publico.pt/politica/noticia/alianca-portugal-assinala-fragmentacao-mais-acentuada-na-votacao-1637432

http://www.publico.pt/politica/noticia/assis-declara-derrota-historica-da-direita-1637434

http://www.dn.pt/politica/interior.aspx?content_id=3933338

http://economico.sapo.pt/noticias/cdu-exige-eleicoes-antecipadas_194130.html

http://www.publico.pt/politica/noticia/ao-minuto-1637423#/0http://economico.sapo.pt/noticias/marinho-e-pinto-a-democracia-esta-pelas-horas-da-amargura_194129.html

Europe, you have tweeted more than one million times with the European elections hashtag #EP2014. Thank you and keep on tweeting!

The electoral alliance PSD-PC-UNPR is credited with more than 40% of the votes in all exit polls, an increase of almost 10% compared to 2009 (31.07%), or 16-17 seats (compared to 11 seats now).

With 24.87% of the votes, SDS has won the European elections in Slovenia. Projections see the party sending three MEPs to the European Parliament, including two women 

[V ŽIVO] Zmagovalci Evropskih volitev 2014 smo prišli v tiskovno središče. #Slovenijavsrcu pic.twitter.com/xBvE6ciUAV

— SDS (@strankaSDS)

May 25, 2014

The coalition of NSi and SLS (16.52% of votes) came second. They will be sending two MEPs to the Parliament, projections say.

Bogovič: Danes smo druga najmočnejša skupina na teh volitvah,prepričan sem, da smo lahko tudi na DZ #EP2014 pic.twitter.com/5LSkRoAfL7

— SLS (@strankaSLS)

These are the calculated results up until 12.30 CET on 26 May: 

Malta Labour Party - 53.30%

Nationalist Party - 40.10%

Alternattiva Demokratika - 2.7%

Others - 3.90% 

According to the official provisional results, the NVA is the winner of the elections for the Dutch college. With 18.45%, the NVA will have four seats instead of one in 2009. With 13.79%, CD&V keeps its three seats at the European Parliament while Open VLD, with 13.75%, will have two seats (against three in 2009). 

On the French side, the MR will have three seats, which is one more compared to 2009, while Ecolo will lose one and will have only one seat left at the European Parliament. 

Due to technical problems, German results will only be known later.  

With 8.14% of votes, Desus will probably send one MEP to the European Parliament, the incumbent MEP Ivo Vajgl. “The contest was tight.”

Erjavec je prispel. “Bitka je bila napeta do konca.” pic.twitter.com/iOy2tVDhyt

— MMC RTV Slovenija (@rtvslo)

May 25, 2014

SD (8.02%) will only be sending one MEP to the European Parliament, the incumbent MEP Tanja Fajon (fourth from left), projections say. In 2009-2014 SD had two European mandates. “We’d like to thank our supporters.”

Socialni demokrati se zahvaljujemo vsem volilvkam in volivcem,ki ste prispevali glas za SD.Iskrena hvala za zaupanje! pic.twitter.com/H6Ibq6Jptk

— Socialni demokrati (@strankaSD)

May 25, 2014

Verjamem got 10.47% of votes and will also be sending one MEP to European Parliament. 

Based on a prognosis by the national commercial broadcaster, the following preliminary list of new Danish MEPs has been established:

Danish People’s Party: Mr Morten Messerschmidt, Mr Anders Vistisen, Ms Rikke Karlsson, Ms Kristina Jørgensen

Social Democrats: Mr Jeppe Kofod, Ms Christel Schaldemose, Mr Ole Christensen

Liberal Party: Ms Ulla Tørnæs, Mr Jens Rohde

Socialist People’s Party: Ms Margrete Auken

Conservative: Mr Bendt Bendtsen

Social Liberals: Mr Morten Helveg Petersen

Popular Movement Against the EU: Ms Rina Ronja Kari

The first European EP seat projection based on results has been published.

Voter turnout in the 2014 European elections is now estimated to be 43.09%, which would mean the long-term trend of falling voter turnout in the elections has been reversed. Participation in the 2009 elections was 43%.

Official results have come in from Hungary, Spain, Germany, Luxembourg, and Slovakia. Provisional results have come in from Cyprus, Portugal, Sweden, Czech Republic, Croatia, Slovenia, Latvia, Estonia, Belgium, and Austria. Estimated results have been announced for France and Finland. Exit polls have been published for Bulgaria, Romania, and Poland. Reactions to results so far are coming in from MEPs, party leaders and spokespeople in France, Austria, Slovenia, Poland, Portugal, and Greece.

Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt comments on the election on Twitter, saying 

"it wasn´t a bad Swedish election campaign in general, but we need more Europe in collective politics over time". 

Det var ingen dålig svensk EU-valrörelse generellt, men vi behöver mer Europa i den samlade politiken över tiden. Skapar bredare förståelse.

— Carl Bildt (@CBildt)

The final results for Cyprus:

DISY 37.70% (2 seats)

AKEL 26.90% (2 seats)

DIKO 10.80% (1 seat)

EDEK/GREENS 7.70% (1 seat)

Source 

Socialdemokraterna, The Social Democratic Party, keeps their six seats in Parliament.

"Celebration at elections night with the news that we keep six seats in the European Parliament"

Jubel på valvakan när beskedet om att vi behåller 6 mandat i Europaparlamentet #ep2014 #valvaka #svpol

— Socialdemokraterna (@socialdemokrat)

25 maj 2014

Miljöpartiet, the Green Party in Sweden, celebrates the preliminary election results, which shows they will get an additional seat.

"Second largest!! Thanks!"

Näst störst! Tack!!! pic.twitter.com/sXSRJveIEy

— Miljöpartiet (@miljopartiet)

25 maj 2014

Moderaterna, Moderate Party.

"We will continue to talk about openness, we´ll continue to believe in Europe," said prime minister Fredrik Reinfeldt.

- Vi kommer fortsätta prata om öppenhet, vi kommer fortsätta tro på Europa. Fredrik Reinfeldt #EP2014 pic.twitter.com/RnJJZIj8MI

— Nya Moderaterna (@nya_moderaterna)

25 maj 2014

Feministiskt Initiativ, Feminist Initiative, celebrates a seat in the European Parliament.

"We now have 5,3 %! A seat in the EU secured! Thanks!"

VI HAR NU 5,3 %! EN SÄKRAD PLATS I EU! TACK! 💕 pic.twitter.com/wJoDNeCu1y

— Feministerna (Fi) (@Feministerna)

25 maj 201

The Finnish provisional results (100% of the votes counted) see no major changes to the current party setup. The distribution is likely to be the following: 

National Coalition Party: 22.6 % (3 seats, same as before)

Centre Party: 19.7 % (3 seats, same as before)

Finns party: 12.9 % (2 seats, +1 seat)

Social Democratic Party: 12.3 % (2 seats, same as before)   

Green party: 9.3 % (1 seat, -1 seat) 

Left Alliance: 9,3 % (1 seat, +1 seat)

Swedish People’s Party: 6.7 % (1 seat, same as before)

Christian Democrats: 5.2 % (no seat, -1 seat)

The election saw many high-profile candidates elected. The current Finnish commissioner Olli Rehn (responsible for economic and monetary affairs) will start as a member of the European Parliament in July. Furthermore, two current Finnish ministers secured seats in the European Parliament: Alexander Stubb (National Coalition Party), minister of European affairs and foreign trade, was elected with nearly 150,000 votes making him expectedly the most popular candidate of the whole election, and Henna Virkkunen (National Coalition Party), minister of transport and local government, was also among the 13 chosen candidates. Six other new MEPs have also previously served as ministers.

Surprisingly only five current members were able to renew their seats. Four of the other elected candidates have been MEPs before and four of the new members will start their very first term in July.

Seven out of the elected 13 members are women, which is slightly less than last time: 53.8 % compared with 61.5 % for the current term.

The official results will be communicated by the results service of the Finnish justice ministry on Wednesday 28 May.