Brussels | Pivotal elections for the European Union parliament reached their climax on Sunday (Monday AEST) as the last 21 nations went to the polls and results were announced in a vote that boils down to a continent-wide battle between eurosceptic populists and proponents of closer EU unity.

Right-wing nationalists who want to slash immigration into Europe and return power to national governments were expected to make gains, though mainstream parties were tipped to hold onto power in the 751-seat legislature that sits in both Brussels and Strasbourg.

AAP