FACTBOX - Four things to watch in June European elections

By Peter Apps, Political Risk Correspondent

LONDON (Reuters) - Voters go to the polls to elect members of the European Parliament in the first week in June, elections watched not so much for immediate impact but for broader lessons on trends on the continent.

Below are four key areas to watch.

CLUE TO GENERAL ELECTIONS

The economic crisis has slashed support for governments across Europe, with many unable to win a general election if it were held tomorrow.

The European elections will act as a guide to what might happen the next time electorates vote in national polls.

From Latvia to Britain, analysts, and often markets, will be closely watching the results and in some cases a particularly poor showing might help bring a general election closer or prompt an internal coup at the top of the ruling party or coalition.

Whether that would actually prompt a significant policy change is another matter.

Cash-strapped Western countries may have little room for significant shifts regardless of who is in control, and emerging economies dependent on IMF or EU rescue deals cannot up spending without risking losing financial support.