Von der Leyen says ‘centre is holding’ as far right surges in EU elections – as it happened

European commission president says there remains a majority in the centre for a strong Europe' as far right makes huge gains across continent; Emmanuel Macron makes shock election move

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Ursula von der Leyen, who is seeking a second five-year term as head of the European Commission, has cast her vote and is urging others to do the same.

Much is at stake for the German centre-right politician, as the European parliament, which sits in Brussels and Strasbourg, will also have the final say on whether she gets a coveted second-term as European Commission president, one of the most powerful positions in European politics.