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First polls close in European Parliament election France National Front 'set for victory', says PM Valls
(35 minutes later)
Polls have closed in some of the 21 countries voting on the final day of the European Parliament elections. France's Prime Minister Manuel Valls has declared a "political earthquake", saying the far-right National Front is heading for victory in EU elections.
Germany, France, Poland and Spain all voted as the four-day poll came to a climax. First results will be announced after last polls close at 21:00 GMT. With polls still open in some European Union countries, he said exit polls showed the Front winning, and his own Socialist Party badly defeated.
The election is the biggest exercise in multi-national democracy in the world. Germany, Poland and Spain are among 21 countries voting on the final day of European Parliament elections.
One of the parties expected to do well, France's National Front, said it was leading in exit polls - but accused the French government of vote-rigging. First results will be announced after last polls close at 21:00 GMT.
Leader Marine Le Pen said after seeing exit polls: "Clearly we are in the lead". In France, the National Front (FN) leader Marine Le Pen said after seeing exit polls: "Clearly we are in the lead".
But a statement by the party accused Interior Minister Manuel Valls of trying to prevent the National Front winning "by the most odious means". But a statement by her party accused the government of "massive fraud" and "industrial scale" vote-rigging, saying Prime Minister Valls had tried to prevent the National Front winning "by the most odious means".
It said in many polling stations voters were given incorrect papers or did not get ballots that included the National Front.
Resentment widespreadResentment widespread
The election is the biggest exercise in multi-national democracy in the world.
The parliament's powers have expanded since the last election in 2009.The parliament's powers have expanded since the last election in 2009.
MEPs now negotiate legislation with national government ministers in what is called "co-decision", before parliament votes on the laws.MEPs now negotiate legislation with national government ministers in what is called "co-decision", before parliament votes on the laws.
They have a say on budget areas including agriculture and regional aid.They have a say on budget areas including agriculture and regional aid.
Greece, which had to be bailed out by the EU and other lenders over its debts, was one of the first countries to open polling stations on Sunday.Greece, which had to be bailed out by the EU and other lenders over its debts, was one of the first countries to open polling stations on Sunday.
Voting is compulsory in Greece, where there is widespread resentment at the austerity enforced as a condition for the bailout.Voting is compulsory in Greece, where there is widespread resentment at the austerity enforced as a condition for the bailout.
In Belgium, voters are also choosing a new national government. The last election left the country which hosts the EU capital, Brussels, without a government for 18 months, until a three-party coalition could be put together.In Belgium, voters are also choosing a new national government. The last election left the country which hosts the EU capital, Brussels, without a government for 18 months, until a three-party coalition could be put together.
Croatians are voting in their second EU election in just over a year. Croatia held early elections in April 2013, in anticipation of joining the EU on 1 July.Croatians are voting in their second EU election in just over a year. Croatia held early elections in April 2013, in anticipation of joining the EU on 1 July.
The 751 seats are allocated in proportion to each country's population.The 751 seats are allocated in proportion to each country's population.
The vote will affect the lives of the EU's 500 million citizens, and the chamber has much more power than it used to.The vote will affect the lives of the EU's 500 million citizens, and the chamber has much more power than it used to.
It is a co-legislator, with government ministers from the EU's 28 member-states, in most policy areas.It is a co-legislator, with government ministers from the EU's 28 member-states, in most policy areas.
One of the first tasks of the incoming parliament will be to elect a new president of the European Commission, the EU's executive body.One of the first tasks of the incoming parliament will be to elect a new president of the European Commission, the EU's executive body.
You can follow full coverage with all the latest updates at bbc.co.uk/vote2014.You can follow full coverage with all the latest updates at bbc.co.uk/vote2014.