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EU election: Merkel vows economic boost to counter Eurosceptic gains EU election: Focus falls on economy to counter Eurosceptic gains
(about 2 hours later)
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has described the surge in support for far right and Eurosceptic parties in the EU elections as "regrettable", saying the response must be to boost the economy. French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel have said the EU must focus on jobs and growth to counter a surge in support for Eurosceptic and far right parties.
The three big centre-right, left and liberal blocs in Europe's parliament are still on course for a majority. The three big centrist blocs in the European Parliament are on course for a majority after last week's election.
But they have all lost seats to parties vowing to reduce the power of the EU or abolish it completely. They have lost seats to parties seeking to curb EU powers or abolish the union.
France's PM said the far right victory there was a political "earthquake". They include the far right National Front and the UK Independence Party which came top in France and the UK.
Vote 2014Vote 2014
LIVE: Full coverage of resultsLIVE: Full coverage of results
Mrs Merkel - whose conservative Christian Democratic Union won a comfortable 35% of the vote in Germany - said it was now up to the established parties of Europe to win voters back. Mrs Merkel - whose conservative Christian Democratic Union won a comfortable 35% of the vote in Germany - said it was now up to the established parties of Europe to win voters back by focussing on "improving competitiveness, on growth and creating jobs".
"The best way is to focus on improving competitiveness, on growth and creating jobs. This is the best answer to the disappointed people who voted in a way we didn't wish for," she said. "This is the best answer to the disappointed people who voted in a way we didn't wish for," she said.
In France, where the far right anti-immigration Front National stormed to victory with a preliminary 25% of the vote, Socialist President Francois Hollande held an urgent meeting with his cabinet on Monday. In France, where the far right anti-immigration Front National stormed to victory with a preliminary 25% of the vote, Socialist President Francois Hollande - whose party came third - held an urgent meeting with his cabinet on Monday.
There was no official immediate response, but Prime Minister Manual Valls described it as a political "earthquake" and told reporters that Europe needed "another orientation" to tackle the popularist surge. Speaking later on French TV, he said Europe had become "remote and incomprehensible", and that that had to change.
"There is not a single minute to lose," he told French media, promising to push through tax cuts. "We need to show courage because France must reform. For too long, left and right together, we have avoided deeply addressing things," he said. "Europe has to be simple, clear, to be effective where it is needed and to withdraw from where it is not necessary," he said, adding that when the European Council meet on Tuesday he would "reaffirm that the priority is growth, jobs and investment".
Prime Minister Manual Valls earlier said the National Front's landmark win in France was a political "earthquake".
Hugh Schofield, BBC News, ParisHugh Schofield, BBC News, Paris
What has happened with this extraordinary election result is that the Front National has taken a large stride in the direction of responsibility.What has happened with this extraordinary election result is that the Front National has taken a large stride in the direction of responsibility.
Today - unbelievably - it has the largest number of French MEPs. In a legislative body that is an integral part of the European system of government, the FN - the historic pariah - is stronger than both the Gaullists and the Socialists.Today - unbelievably - it has the largest number of French MEPs. In a legislative body that is an integral part of the European system of government, the FN - the historic pariah - is stronger than both the Gaullists and the Socialists.
What this means is that from now on it will be quite unacceptable for the French establishment to ignore the FN, and to pretend that its ideas do not matter.What this means is that from now on it will be quite unacceptable for the French establishment to ignore the FN, and to pretend that its ideas do not matter.
For the mainstream parties to treat this victory as they have all other FN advances - as an irritating aberration to be countered with routine shouts of 'Racist!" - would be an act of monumental stupidity and arrogance.For the mainstream parties to treat this victory as they have all other FN advances - as an irritating aberration to be countered with routine shouts of 'Racist!" - would be an act of monumental stupidity and arrogance.
From 'untouchables' to EU forceFrom 'untouchables' to EU force
The anti-EU UK Independence Party (UKIP) is celebrating winning 27% of the vote, marking the first time in a century that a party other than the Conservatives or Labour has won any UK election. Elsewhere in Europe, the anti-EU UK Independence Party (UKIP) was celebrating winning 27% of the vote, marking the first time in a century that a party other than the Conservatives or Labour has won any UK election.
Prime Minister David Cameron, whose Conservative party lost seven seats, said it was clear voters were "deeply disillusioned" with Europe and that the message was "received and understood".Prime Minister David Cameron, whose Conservative party lost seven seats, said it was clear voters were "deeply disillusioned" with Europe and that the message was "received and understood".
But he insisted he would neither bring forward the date of an in/out referendum on UK withdrawal from the EU - scheduled for 2017 - nor seek a pact with UKIP.But he insisted he would neither bring forward the date of an in/out referendum on UK withdrawal from the EU - scheduled for 2017 - nor seek a pact with UKIP.
'Truly democratic debate''Truly democratic debate'
Despite the unprecedented Eurosceptic gains across the Union, Jose Manuel Barroso, outgoing president of the European Commission, insisted that the pro-EU blocs still had "a very solid and workable majority".Despite the unprecedented Eurosceptic gains across the Union, Jose Manuel Barroso, outgoing president of the European Commission, insisted that the pro-EU blocs still had "a very solid and workable majority".
The centre-right European People's Party appears set to win 213 out of the 751 seats, with 28.5% across the bloc, according to estimated results issued by the European Parliament. That would make it the biggest group - but with more than 60 seats fewer than before.The centre-right European People's Party appears set to win 213 out of the 751 seats, with 28.5% across the bloc, according to estimated results issued by the European Parliament. That would make it the biggest group - but with more than 60 seats fewer than before.
The Socialist alliance has a projected 190 seats, with 25%, the Liberals 9% and the Greens 7%.The Socialist alliance has a projected 190 seats, with 25%, the Liberals 9% and the Greens 7%.
The Eurosceptic Europe of Freedom and Democracy group appeared to have around 38 seats - including the 24 for UKIP, but the number of non-attached right-wing MEPs is set to rise, boosting the Eurosceptic camp.The Eurosceptic Europe of Freedom and Democracy group appeared to have around 38 seats - including the 24 for UKIP, but the number of non-attached right-wing MEPs is set to rise, boosting the Eurosceptic camp.
But Mr Barroso said a "truly democratic debate" was needed to address the concerns of those who did not vote, or "voted in protest".But Mr Barroso said a "truly democratic debate" was needed to address the concerns of those who did not vote, or "voted in protest".
Provisional results put the turnout at EU 43.1%, the first time turnout had not fallen since the previous election, but only an increase of 0.1%.Provisional results put the turnout at EU 43.1%, the first time turnout had not fallen since the previous election, but only an increase of 0.1%.
In other result highlights:In other result highlights:
(Based on exit polls/provisional results)(Based on exit polls/provisional results)
The election is the biggest exercise in multi-national democracy in the world. The vote will affect the lives of the EU's 500 million citizens.The election is the biggest exercise in multi-national democracy in the world. The vote will affect the lives of the EU's 500 million citizens.
The parliament's powers have expanded since the last election in 2009, and it is hoping to have a decisive say in who gets the EU's top job, president of the European Commission.The parliament's powers have expanded since the last election in 2009, and it is hoping to have a decisive say in who gets the EU's top job, president of the European Commission.
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.