European stock markets are trading lower on Thursday, as markets paused after a strong session on Wednesday and as political concerns took center stage once again.

Europe's leading Blue-chip index, EURO STOXX 50 fell 9.45 points or 0.28 percent to trade at 3,380.75. Germany's benchmark index DAX lost 20.28 points or 0.17 percent to trade at 12,046.91. French benchmark index CAC 40 declined 5.27 points or 0.11 percent to trade at 4,955.56.

On the other hand, UK's benchmark index FTSE 100 gained 1.24 points or 0.02 percent to trade at 7,384.14.

On Wednesday, European stock markets closed sharply higher. Europe's leading Blue-chip index, EURO STOXX 50 jumped 70.59 points or 2.13 percent to settle at 3,390.20. UK's benchmark index FTSE 100 gained 119.46 points or 1.64 percent to close at 7,382.90.