People in multiple European countries are casting their ballots on the third day of elections before the final stage on Sunday. Voters in Slovakia are heading to the polls amidst the aftermath of an assassination attempt on Prime Minister Robert Fico, while Italy is gearing up for a two-day voting process that could shape the country’s political direction.
Slovakia, with 5.4 million citizens, is choosing between representatives of Fico’s Smer party and the opposition Progressive Slovakia. Fico, opposing EU sanctions on Russia and military support for Ukraine, frames the attack on him as a clash with the European mainstream.
In Italy, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s far-right Brothers of Italy are expected to gain substantial seats in the European Parliament. This could potentially impact the re-election of Ursula von der Leyen as the head of the European Commission, with an alliance with the French far-right leader Marine Le Pen in the works.
The elections continue in Latvia, Malta, and the Czech Republic, with the final results for the 720-seat European Parliament expected on Sunday night. Over 370 million Europeans are eligible to vote, with seats allocated based on population.