The centre-right European People's Party (EPP) has won the European Parliament elections with 189 seats, an initial forecast from the European legislature shows, with all polls closed on Sunday.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen now stands a stronger chance of securing a second term with her EPP group, which she campaigned for, performing so well, despite far-right gains, and losses among liberal and green parties.
Von der Leyen said in a speech, welcoming the result, that she would work with political groups from the centre left and liberals that originally backed her to win reappointment.
"This platform has worked well. It was constructive, it was effective," von der Leyen said, outlining her reasoning and in a signal that she would not immediately seek support from parties further to the right.
