European Parliament expected to shift to right as voting enters its last day

The polls are set to close Sunday in elections for European Parliament, and the results are expected to move the assembly to the right.

The election is set to influence the future of the 450 million citizens living under the European Union, with the top issues this election being challenges presented by Russia and China, the bloc's relationship with the United States, and issues with immigration, according to Reuters.

The polls opened Thursday in the Netherlands and on Friday and Saturday in other nations, with the bulk of ballots expected to be cast on Sunday. 

Tens of millions of people already voted Sunday for the 720 seats in the European Parliament, The Associated Press reported. 

Surveys have suggested that mainstream parties will retain their majority, but lose seats to hard right parties such as those led by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni, Dutch politician Geert Wilders and French politician Marine Le Pen.

A shift to the right may make it more difficult to pass legislation in the European Parliament, but Orban told reporters after casting his ballot: "To go right is always good. Go right!"

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