By Antonis Anzoletou

In less than three months, on June 9, the citizens of Europe will be called to the polls to elect the new leadership of the old continent. 720 representatives of the 27 member states will be based in Brussels for the next five years. There are many requests. In all countries the political forces will measure their strength. The eyes, however, are already turning to the stake of this particular ballot box. The pandemic, the war in Ukraine, the energy crisis, the effects of climate change and the continued rise of the far right and Eurosceptics have changed the picture.

It is a fact that Europe is losing a large part of its competitiveness with factories closing and unemployment increasing. The mobilizations of farmers in many countries were not random, but indicative of a not good economic situation. The old continent is “exterminating” its farmers, many major European media reported, all the while the tractors took over the big cities. It is widely known that primary sector products from Morocco or Turkey compete unfairly with European ones when they enter the EU markets. Countries that do not follow specific standards and of course are not bound by the green reforms of Brussels were the reason for the agricultural world to rise up. The Union of European Farmers has called for less stringent environmental regulations, cutting red tape in EU agricultural policy. and better conditions in international competition.

The other big issue that will concern Europe is its energy policy and the need for autonomy that it must have. Along with defense, immigration, fiscal stability with rising inflation and demographics, the six critical issues for which there is no room for further delays are completed. The possibility of Trump’s return to US leadership, and the growth of India’s power in combination with China constitute the seventh “thorn” that brings new balances and the need to create a different “policy mix” from the leadership of the European Union. The face and future of the E.U. judged in a changing international geopolitical and economic environment.

The new numerology of the European Parliament will also play a big role. The primacy of the European People’s Party is not disputed, however, the battle will be tough. Today’s picture is as follows: EPP (178), S&D (141), AE (101), Greens (72), ESM (67), T&D (59), Left (37), unregistered (50). After June 9, the elected MEPs will work, as always, to form political groups. At the first session of the Plenary, the new Parliament elects its president as president. In the next one, the new president of the European Commission will be elected and later the Parliament will consider and approve the House of Commissioners.