Conservatives raced toward victory in some of Europe's largest economies Sunday as initial results and exit polls showed voters punishing left-leaning parties in European parliament elections in France, Germany and elsewhere.

Some right-leaning parties said the results vindicated their reluctance to spend more on company bailouts and fiscal stimulus amid the global economic crisis.

In the Netherlands, Geert Wilders' anti-Islamic party took 17 percent of the country's votes, taking four of 25 seats.

First projections by the European Union showed center-right parties would have the most seats - between 263 and 273 - in the 736-member parliament. Center-left parties were expected to get between 155 to 165 seats.

Graham Watson, leader of the EU's center-right Liberal Democrat grouping, said early results suggested a rejection of the Socialist approach.

"People don't want a return to socialism and that's why the majority here will be a center-right majority," he said.

said by jjeffeory :

I don't agree with either "side". I want a third, fourth, or fifth side that matches what I believe...

said by TKJunkMail :

A couple more years of Obama & his socialists will wise up the U.S. electorate before the next Presidential election.