Europe Votes for EU Parliament

Voters in 21 EU countries cast ballots on Sunday as elections for the European Parliament reached a crescendo in the Western world's largest democracy.

The May 23-26 elections are expected to result in a more fragmented European Parliament as gains for populists, nationalists and eurosceptics challenge the joint majority long held by the bloc's two main political groupings: the centre-right European People's Party and the centre-left Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats.

Voters in 28 member states will choose 751 MEPs to represent the European Union's 512 million constituents.

Britain and the Netherlands kicked off the voting on Thursday, followed by the Czech Republic and Ireland on Friday, Slovakia, Latvia and Malta on Saturday and remaining EU member states on Sunday.

Results will be announced on Sunday night.

Here are some pictures of EU democracy in action in countries of the so-called Populist Belt spanning Central, Eastern and Southeast Europe.

President of the European Council Donald Tusk and his wife, Malgorzata, cast their votes at a polling station in Sopot, Poland, Photo: EPA-EFE/ADAM WARZAWA

People wait in line to vote at a polling station during the triple elections, for Local Government, Regional Government and the European Parliament, in Athens, Greece, 2019. Photo: EPA-EFE/ORESTIS PANAGIOTOU

A man exits a polling booth before voting at a polling station during the triple elections, for Local Government, Regional Government and the European Parliament, in Athens, 2019. Photo: EPA-EFE/ORESTIS PANAGIOTOU

Wristbands intended for first time voters sit on a table at a polling station during the European elections in Kozarmisleny, Hungary, 2019. Photo: EPA-EFE/TAMAS...