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EU election: France's Hollande calls for reform of 'remote' EU EU election: France's Hollande calls for reform of 'remote' EU
(35 minutes later)
French President Francois Hollande has said the EU must reform and scale back its power, amid a surge in support for Eurosceptic and far-right parties.French President Francois Hollande has said the EU must reform and scale back its power, amid a surge in support for Eurosceptic and far-right parties.
Mr Hollande, whose party was beaten by the far right in last week's European Parliament election, said the EU had become too complex and remote.Mr Hollande, whose party was beaten by the far right in last week's European Parliament election, said the EU had become too complex and remote.
In response, he will tell EU leaders at a meeting in Brussels later that they must focus on boosting the economy.In response, he will tell EU leaders at a meeting in Brussels later that they must focus on boosting the economy.
The three big pro-EU centrist blocs are still on course for a majority.The three big pro-EU centrist blocs are still on course for a majority.
But they have lost seats in the European Parliament to parties seeking to curb EU powers or abolish the union, among them the UK Independence Party which came first in the domestic vote with 27% according to provisional results.But they have lost seats in the European Parliament to parties seeking to curb EU powers or abolish the union, among them the UK Independence Party which came first in the domestic vote with 27% according to provisional results.
In France, the far-right National Front stormed to victory with a preliminary 25% of the vote, pushing Mr Hollande's Socialists into third place.In France, the far-right National Front stormed to victory with a preliminary 25% of the vote, pushing Mr Hollande's Socialists into third place.
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Speaking on French TV, Mr Hollande - a leading champion of the EU - said the project had become "remote and incomprehensible", and that that had to change.Speaking on French TV, Mr Hollande - a leading champion of the EU - said the project had become "remote and incomprehensible", and that that had to change.
"Europe has to be simple, clear, to be effective where it is needed and to withdraw from where it is not necessary," 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.
He said the union had overcome the crisis in the eurozone "but at what price? An austerity that has ended up disheartening the people".He said the union had overcome the crisis in the eurozone "but at what price? An austerity that has ended up disheartening the people".
When European Union leaders meet on Tuesday he would "reaffirm that the priority is growth, jobs and investment", he said.When European Union leaders meet on Tuesday he would "reaffirm that the priority is growth, jobs and investment", he said.
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". 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 focusing 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.
Elsewhere in Europe, the anti-EU 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.
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
Elsewhere in Europe, the anti-EU 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 mean it remains 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 28.36% across the bloc, according to estimated results issued by the European Parliament. That would mean it remains the biggest group - but with more than 60 seats fewer than before.
The Socialist alliance has a projected 190 seats, with 25% of the vote, the Liberals 9% and the Greens 7%. The Socialist alliance has a projected 190 seats, with 25.3% of the vote, 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.
Mr Barroso said a "truly democratic debate" was needed to address the concerns of those who did not vote, or "voted in protest".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%.
Result highlights: Result highlights (from European Parliament website):
(Based on exit polls/provisional results)
The election is the biggest exercise in multi-national democracy in the world, affecting the lives of the EU's 500 million citizens.The election is the biggest exercise in multi-national democracy in the world, affecting 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.