Election omens signal need for new R&D alliances

Rise of populism will bring challenges for lobbyists of the next Parliament and Commission

Research organisations are bracing for nationalist gains and preparing to forge new alliances, as the forthcoming European elections look set to bring a wave of inexperienced MEPs.

The elections on 23-26 May could see up to a third of the European Parliament’s 751 seats go to Eurosceptic parties seeking to curtail continental cooperation, according to pollsters. In addition, 60 per cent of seats could go to first-time MEPs, the consultancy VoteWatch Europe has estimated.