European Elections 2017 - Three to Affirm the EU, One to Underscore an Exit

British Prime Minister Theresa May, today, seeks the backing of parliament to hold snap elections on June 8, 2017, a surprise move from the newly installed prime minister, who soon after being installed in the position, chided that there was no need for elections until the schedule time in 2020. He request, after some tongue-lashing from opposition parties, would probably be granted.

However, with the United Kingdom(UK) now involve with formal talks to leaving the European Union(EU), the Brit election announcement, came as a surprise in a year when three scheduled European elections set to affirm EU membership, or to bow to right-wing influences.

Thus far, the Netherlands election, held on March 14, has affirmed EU membership, while it struck back against a right-wing and nationalist opposition. Next country on the election schedule is France, which will hold a first round of voting, this Sunday, April 23. Like the Netherlands, France is witnessing an influencing right-wing operation that seeks to curb the EU. If no majority winner emerges in France on Sunday, the two top vote-getting candidates will compete in a determining vote on May 7.

The third planned European election schedule this year that seeks to either affirm EU-membership or to bow to nationalistic influence from right wing groups, is the German vote, set for September 24, which should affirm Angela Merkel's commitment to the EU and her emerging status at the leader of the free world.

Theresa May's British announcement places the UK in the elections column for June 8, 2017, when she expects Brits to endorse her Brexit plans, as she promises "strong and stable leadership", if she wins. She faces opposition from Jeremy Corbyn's Labour Party  and Tim Farron's Liberal Democrats. Yet, Europe's more contentious elections remain the French and German votes that seek to affirm the colossal economic pact of the EU.