UK vote would boost EU parliament\'s eurosceptics

Eurosceptics could make up a significantly higher proportion of the next EU parliament - if, as seems likely, British voters are obliged to take part in upcoming elections in May.

The alliance of pro-EU conservative, socialist, and liberal parties is still heading for a majority, according to EU estimates.

But Eurosceptic groups will see their share of seats go up from 10 percent to over 14 percent.

Britain's Eurosceptic groups - including UKIP and arch Brexiteer Nigel Farage's new party - are among those experiencing growth.

That 4 percent difference overall might not sound like much, but it would give Eurosceptic members of the European Parliament more of a chance to air their views inside the bloc.

Assuming the number of seats remains at 751, instead of dropping to 705 without British representatives, the EU survey suggests the center-right European People's Party would remain the biggest EU grouping down from 29 percent of the total share of seats, to 24 percent.

Britain's obliged to participate in the elections after its Brexit departure date was extended until the end of October.

That could all change though, if a divorce deal is agreed by UK lawmakers ahead of the vote.