Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo resigned after his Open VLD party suffered a disastrous defeat, gaining only 5.8% in the European vote.
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The far-right Vlaams Belang and Flemish nationalist N-VA were nearly tied at 14.8% and 14.2% respectively.
In Spain, the conservative Popular Party (PP) overtook the Socialists with 33.2%, a significant increase from 20.35% in 2019.
The far-right Vox party nearly doubled its share to 10.4%.
Portugal's center-left Socialist Party (PS) narrowly led the center-right Democratic Alliance (AD) with 31.4% versus 30.6%.
Coalition Dynamics and Reactions
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, whose EPP is projected to lose only six seats, called the results a success for the political mainstream.
"No majority can be formed without the EPP," she said, pledging to deliver "a Europe that delivers."
EPP chair Manfred Weber urged mainstream parties to join a "pro-European, pro-democratic alliance" to shut out the far right.
However, ECR vice-president Assita Kanko argued that the strong far-right showings reflected voter neglect and said her group hopes to join the governing majority.
Green group representative Philippe Lamberts acknowledged the exit poll was "not a victory" for his movement, which is set to lose seats.
He warned against "embracing the various flavors of the far right" in coalition talks.
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Turnout was estimated at 51%, the highest since 1994, indicating heightened voter engagement amid the rightward trend.
