Le Pen

Marine Le Pen , leader of France's far-right National Front party, has argued that Europe is responsible for the events in Ukraine.

As Marine Le Pen, who heads France’s far-right National Front (FN), tries to form a eurosceptic group in Brussels with other like-minded political movements, take a look at her party’s policies. The FN doesn't like being called "far right". But it remains unashamedly protectionist and populist, while espousing a strong desire to reduce immigration – especially from Africa.

Unlike Bulgaria, where the nationalist parties suffered a crushing defeat in the European elections, throughout the rest of the EU they are gaining ground. 

The French National Front and UK Independence Party both performed strongly, while the three big centrist blocs in parliament all lost seats.

By Paul Taylor, Robin Emmott and Justyna Pawlak

Eurosceptic nationalists scored stunning victories in European Parliament elections in France and Britain on Sunday as critics of the European Union more than doubled their seats in a continent-wide protest vote against austerity and unemployment.

Bulgaria and Romania are quite often paired up in European and regional powers' approach to the Balkans. They are said to be both wrapped in political, economic and social problems, but usually do not provoke a huge interest from EU politicians.