Fragmented extremist forces are seen as unlikely to unite into a single political bloc, however.

MEPs from far-right parties look set to outnumber those from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s center-right European People’s Party after next week’s election, polls now suggest.

That doesn’t mean the EPP will be beaten into second place, because the fragmented parties on the extreme right will almost certainly be unable to unite. It does, however, reflect Europe’s shift to the right and will bring a new political complexion to the next Parliament.

According to a POLITICO Poll of Polls projection of the incoming legislature, the EPP would win 170 seats if the election were held now.