16/05/24 (Agence Europe) – The European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) political group in the European Parliament has announced that it will not be taking part in the debate on the European elections on 23 May. Contacted by Agence Europe on Thursday 16 May, one of the group’s representatives pointed out that ECR does not have a ‘Spitzenkandidat’ (see EUROPE 13398/7). “It is common knowledge that the system of the ‘head of list’ candidate was never fit for purpose. The ECR favours sticking to what the Treaties say, which is that it is the Council’s prerogative”, stressed the representative. The “Identity and Democracy” (ID) group in the European Parliament will not be taking part in this debate either, as it does not have a ‘head of list’. This situation has been denounced by the President of the ID Group, the Italian Marco Zanni, and the leader of the far-right European party, the Belgian Gerolf Annemans (see EUROPE 13401/37). (AD)