Eurogroup President Paschal Donohoe has said there is “hope” for Ireland and Europe despite the growth of ‘far-right’ candidates.

There have been solid results for right-wing parties across European countries as election counting is underway. 

In France, the National Rally party of Marine Le Pen dominated polls, with French President Emanuel Macron immediately dissolving the national parliament. 

Germany’s extreme-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) surged to second place, overtaking the long-established Social Democratic Party. 

Centre, liberal and socialist parties are set to retain a majority in the European Parliament, although it is thought a rightward shift could make it tougher to pass new legislation. 

Mr Donohoe, however, said the rise in right-wing parties won’t mean major disruptions. 

“We have seen parties like the European People’s Party make gains,” he said. 

“When the European Parliament is formed in a few weeks' time, the big normal parties of Europe will be able to come to together and form a stable coalition.” 

He noted in Ireland itself, there has been some gain in local elections for "far-right" candidates, which could translate into success in the European elections, which are still being counted. 

“[But] we have seen so many candidates here in Ireland against that tradition make gains,” he said. 

“We have to take hope from that here in Ireland.” 

Speaking on The Pat Kenny Show earlier today, Mr Donohoe said he is “fundamentally opposed” to the far-right, “their view of politics and their view of Ireland”. 

“There are some now who have adopted very extreme views,” he said. 

“For those that have been elected, from my perspective, I'm determined to make sure that we can make a far more generous and positive case for our country than they’re capable of making.” 

He said the “encouraging gains” for Fine Gael in local and European elections are also a “cause for great hope”. 

“We’ve seen a very diverse variety of candidates elected to local office across the length and breadth of Ireland, including many from minority backgrounds,” he said. 

“It's always important to anchor our concerns regarding extremism and the future of politics in that context.” 

Dublin count centre in the RDS for local and European election. Image: Sasko Lazarov / © RollingNews.ie

Fine Gael has fared significantly better than Sinn Féin so far, with a 23% share of first preference votes on a local level and likely securing seats at a European level 

Mr Donohoe said the party is pleased with this result – but it must also “put these elections behind us now” 

“[In] the general election – which I do believe will happen next year – we'll be asked completely different questions,” he said. 

“The last thing I or anyone else would do is pat ourselves on the back.” 

The party is neck and neck with Fianna Fáil to be the largest political party in local government. 

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