In Germany, the projections see pro-Russian and anti-EU Alternative for Germany (AfD), coming in second with about 16% of the vote, well behind the Christian Democratic Union (CDU, 30%), but slightly ahead of the Social Democrat (SPD, 14%) of the incumbent Chancellor Scholz.

“The European Parliament elections saw the coalition parties suffer a painful defeat. The fact that voters are choosing parties from the political margins reflects dramatically poor sentiments,” Jennifer Wilton, editor-in-chief of Die Welt wrote.

She added that national politics overshadowed European projects during the campaign, marking the results as a protest against the government.

The rise of right-wing populist Alternative for Germany (AfD) and Sahra Wagenknecht’s party (BSW) indicates voters’ shift towards extreme positions, challenging stable democratic values.

According to Nicolas Richter from Süddeutsche Zeitung, this poor performance raises doubts about the SPD’s prospects in the 2025 parliamentary elections.

“The chancellor was the face of the SPD’s campaign, making this historic loss his defeat as well,” Richter wrote.

Commentators also predict that the right-wing’s success will weaken the EU.

“In many member states, right-wing radicals have entered the heart of Europe, shaping political agendas or even governing,” warned Ulrich Ladurner of Die Zeit.

“The EU is becoming isolated, internally weakened, and externally threatened,” added Ladurner.

ARD journalist Matthias Deiss pointed out that "voices critical of Europe will sound even louder in Brussels in the future.”

According to Deiss, "a well-functioning German-French axis" would be very important in this situation, but “Macron and Scholz failed to create a joint offer that would allow their countries and Europe to get through the crisis.”

"Chancellor Scholz is as weakened as Macron. His peace policy has failed."