The centrist coalition that has dominated EU politics for the last 40 years was given a drubbing in the European elections as voters switched to disruptive younger parties in their millions.

A surge in support for Eurosceptic, Green and Liberal parties across Europe left the European Parliament fragmented and altered the balance of power among the pan-EU groups of affiliated national parties in Brussels and Strasbourg.

Eurosceptic and Green parties recorded their best ever results, and the European Liberals group notched up their biggest success since the 2009 election.

Turnout increased for the first time since 1979, the year of the first elections, halting a steady decline, and the turnout…