European stock markets closed lower on Monday, with election-related worries prompting investors to step away from equities, while downbeat developments left shares of Volkswagen AG and Ryanair Holdings PLC in the red.

Europe's leading Blue-chip index, EURO STOXX 50 fell 34.80 points or 1.06 percent to settle at 3,238.31. UK's benchmark index FTSE 100 declined 16.15 points or 0.22 percent to close at 7,172.15.

Meanwhile, Germany's benchmark index DAX fell 141.65 points or 1.22 percent to end at 11,509.84. French benchmark index CAC 40 lost 47.34 points or 0.98 percent to end at 4,778.08.