European parliament elections: Growing support for far-right parties, polls show

Europe's election kicks off today as polls open in Britain and the Netherlands, where polls predict far-right, anti-EU parties are expected to come out on top.

The Party of European Socialists' (PES) candidate for the European election, Martin Schulz, poses for a photo with supporters during a campaign meeting of the Party of Socialists of Catalonia (PSC) for the upcoming European Parliament elections, in Barcelona, on May 21, 2014. (Getty)

• Right turn in Europe elections, Dateline reports

Elections across Europe are expected to result in an upsurge of support for Euro-sceptic parties on both the far-right and left.

Voting kicks off today in Britain and the Netherlands. Many of the other countries in Europe will vote on May 25.

All in all, 380 million Europeans will vote in 28 countries, choosing 751 deputies to represent them in the European parliament.

Political commentaors say the traditionally low voter turnout is expected to work in the favour of radical parties this year.

Ahead of the elections, Jean-Claude Juncker, the leading candidate for the European People's Party, appeal to people to make their vote count.

"Do not give your votes to extremist xenophobes or fascists," he said on the last day of campaigning.

"If you want Europe to function and to serve its citizens, we should vote for people who will work hard in the next European parliament."