BF2S Forums Centre-right does well in EU poll

Centre-right parties have done well in elections to the European Parliament at the expense of the left, according to exit polls and initial results.

Results appeared immediately after voting ended in 19 EU countries at 2000 GMT. Eight other countries voted in the past few days.

All 736 parliament seats are up for grabs. Preliminary figures suggest the lowest-ever turnout, at 43.24%.

BBC correspondents say the figures will dent the EU's credibility.

Centre-left parties are projected to have 155-65 seats, down from 216 in 2004.

The centre-right European People's Party is also expected to be slightly down, at 263-73, as smaller groupings gained ground.

Fringe groups appear to have benefited, with far-right parties picking up seats in the Netherlands and Hungary.