Europeans may be about to elect their most right-wing parliament in history

“These different stances, combined with bilateral spats between ECR and ID members, make formal co-operation between the two groupings very unlikely and will reduce their influence,” Luigi Scazzieri, senior research fellow at independent think-tank the Centre for European Reform, said in an April note.

Still, concerns remain that the more corrosive effects of a swing to the right will only become visible further down the line.

“Their influence is likely to make itself felt over time, as mainstream political forces feel under pressure to tilt right on issues such as climate policy,” Scazzieri added.