‘Political earthquake’: Euroskeptics surge in EU elections
The European parliamentary elections have drawn to a close bringing major gains for both Euroskeptic and Far Right movements. The results have dealt a blow to governments, with the French PM even calling the result "a political earthquake.” ● The most major anti-EU public mood was demonstrated in France, where Marine Le Pen's far right National Front scored more than a quarter of the votes cast. Without even waiting for the final figures, French PM Manuel Valls announced on national television that such a result for the anti-EU party was a political “earthquake” for France – and the entire Europe. "The sovereign people have declared they want to take back the reins of their destiny," said Marine Le Pen. "Our people demand just one politics. The politics of the French, for the French." There was a similar unprecedented story in the United Kingdom, as the unheralded United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) managed to make major gains. The Euroskeptic party's victory marked the first time in modern history that neither Labour nor the Conservatives have won a British national election. UKIP have enjoyed a rapid rise. 20 years ago, they managed to win just one percent of the vote at their very first European elections, however two decades on, they are set to win around 28 percent. At the last elections five years ago, the party won 16.5 percent.
IBT: EU Elections: Eurosceptics Seize Ground, Ukip Unleashes 'Political Earthquake'
Belfast Telegraph: Media no longer the king-makers as Ukip forces mainstream parties to rethink
Chicago Tribune: The French far-right party gets 25% of the votes in European elections
Chris Marsden: Major losses for ruling parties, gains for anti-EU parties in European elections