The binding of several European countries for painful economic reforms which are aimed at reducing debt and boosting growth, can undermine this week’s European elections, which are likely to show the rise of anti-European parties due to the protest votes against austerity, according to reports by the Associated Press agency.

Although the European Parliament, according to the agency, only has limited powers, the result of the voting -which is taking place from now until Sunday – for the 751 MEPs from 28 EU countries, could undermine the pursuit of policies at a national level.

“The results in France, Italy and Greece will be very important, as they could once more derail the national political landscapes and national policies, giving a new impetus to discussions and debates about austerity, reforms, and debt sustainability”, noted an ING bank analyst. The article separately mentioned the stakes of elections in Greece, France, Italy and Britain.

Regarding Greece, the AP notes that the elections provide SYRIZA with a platform. The party has already characterized the vote as a referendum on the Memorandum of the country and the government.

PASOK could have poor performances in local elections and European elections, undermining the coalition government’s synthesis, underlined the agency, adding that polls show that SYRIZA could win in parliamentary elections.