Elections for the European Union Parliament were held in 19 member states today, the fourth and final day of polling. In Germany, the Christian Democrat CDU/CSU coalition will remain the largest party despite significant losses.

The broadcasters ARD and ZDF predict the about the CDU/CSU share of the vote will come out at 38.5 percent, 5.5 percent lower than in 2004. The social Democrat SPD, the other member of Germany's grand coalition government, is predicted again 21 percent of the vote, a loss of 0.5 percent. The big winners in Germany are the liberal FDP and the left-wing parties, Die Linke and Die Grünen.
 

In France, polls predict president Sarkozy's UMP will emerge as the winner with about 25 percent of the vote. The Socialists are predicted to gain around 16.8 percent.

Voters in Italy and Spain also cast their ballots today. A total of 375 million people are eligible to vote for the 736-seat European Parliament.