The report points out that in the run-up to the 2024 European elections, the EPP is considering alliances with the ECR. Ursula von der Leyen reiterated her willingness to work with the group led by Giorgia Meloni, the Italian Prime Minister and a member of the ECR, stating that they are “pro-democracy” and “pro-European”. However, the Greens’ analysis reveals that in 2023, ECR and ID voted together 70% of the time in the European Parliament.
At national level, ECR members have shown a tendency to oppose the values of the rule of law and climate policies. In Poland, the Law and Justice party has increased political influence over the judiciary, reduced media freedoms and abolished the right to abortion. In Italy, Giorgia Meloni has attacked media freedom. In Spain, Vox has taken action against the rights of LGBTQIA+ people and sought to reduce legislation on gender-based violence. The Swedish Democrats and the Finnish Party have pushed their governments to abandon climate targets.
On an international scale, the unity of the radical right is also being confirmed. At the Conservative Political Action Conference 2024, organised by American conservatives in February, ECR figures such as Santiago Abascal of Vox joined the likes of former US President Donald Trump (Republican) and his former strategic adviser Steve Bannon.
Faced with these trends, the European Greens are calling for increased vigilance and mobilisation to defend European values. On 8 May, together with the S&D, Renew Europe and The Left groups, the Greens signed a declaration urging the rejection of any normalisation, cooperation or alliance with far-right and radical parties (see EUROPE 13407/9).
Analysis: https://aeur.eu/f/ci6 (Original version in French by Nithya Paquiry)