Brussels faces populist backlash

Voters in countries that contribute almost 72 percent of European Union GDP have voted or will soon vote in ballots amid revolt and popular anger against what is seen as elite and centrist politics

EU member states GDP data for 2015

UNITED KINGDOM 17.5% of European Union GDP Jun 2016: Britain votes 52% to 48% to leave EU. Brexit referendum turnout is 71.8%

FRANCE 14.8% of EU GDP May 2017: Presidential election. Latest polls put Marine Le Pen (above) and her National Front neck and neck with Republicans on 34%

ITALY 11.2% of EU GDP Dec 4, 2016: Prime Minister Matteo
Renzi quits following 60-40% defeat in referendum on constitutional reform. Ballot opposed by anti-euro
Five Star Movement which has 29% support – Democratic Party has 33%

NETHERLANDS 4.6% of EU GDP Mar 15, 2017: General elections. Latest poll gives Geert Wilders and his eurosceptic Party for Freedom 25% of vote – party could become largest group in parliament

GERMANY 20.6% of EU GDP Aug-Oct 2017: General elections. Far right party Alternative for Germany (AfD) has 14% support compared with Angela Merkel’s CDU on 33%

AUSTRIA 5.7% of EU GDP Dec 4, 2016: Austria narrowly rejects far-right presidential candidate Norbert Hofer, who wins over 46% of vote

HUNGARY 6.8% of EU GDP Oct 2016: Prime Minister Viktor
Orbán’s referendum, which rejects EU migrant quotas, is
backed by 98% of those who voted

*Ballot constitutionally null and void because turnout was below 50%

Sources: Eurostat, Maurice de Hond, Elabe Institute *Picture: Associated Press