BRUSSELS — Center-left lawmakers in the European Parliament are devising strategies to combat the growing influence of far-right parties. According to internal documents, they are advising members to adopt a more assertive stance, employ ridicule against extremists, and create divisions between these groups and the European People’s Party (EPP).
“We should identify and leverage all those issues which can drive a wedge between the extreme right and the EPP,”
the Socialists and Democrats’ document states, highlighting the focus on factions such as the Patriots for Europe and Europe of Sovereign Nations.
In recent months, the EPP has drawn ire from centrist and center-left parties by aligning with right-wing and far-right groups to weaken anti-deforestation regulations, a fundamental component of the European Green Deal. This shift has resulted in a new right-leaning political dynamic that has been apparent in various votes since last year’s European elections, leading to expectations that the EPP will increasingly assert its influence over forthcoming legislative proposals from the European Commission. This evolving political landscape enables the EPP to form majorities independently of the Socialists.
According to the document, Manfred Weber’s center-right EPP “must know there will be consequences to looking both ways,” although it also advises against excessive aggression to avoid alienating “more mainstream” factions within the EPP.
Strategic collaborations
The Socialists’ approach towards collaboration with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s European Conservatives and Reformists group will be determined on a “case-by-case” basis, as per the guidance issued by the S&D. An anonymous S&D Member of the European Parliament (MEP) expressed skepticism regarding the efficacy of these plans, stating, “While Europe is collapsing, [the] S&D keeps [playing] its sandbox-level games.”
Meanwhile, the far-right Patriots for Europe group, spearheaded by National Rally’s Jordan Bardella from France, is adopting a more proactive role in EU policymaking than its predecessor, the Identity and Democracy group. This new faction is actively attempting to provoke and challenge the EPP at every opportunity, attempting to draw the center-right into collaboration.
Coalition building efforts
Although the S&D’s plans are not entirely new, they were the subject of discussions among senior European Parliament members during a recent meeting in Genval, Belgium. The document also suggests transforming a feeble agreement among the Socialists, EPP, Greens, and liberals into actionable measures that could foster more stable coalitions, advocating for S&D members to closely collaborate with liberals and The Greens.
In parallel, the European Parliament’s centrist Renew group, which has diminished to the fifth-largest force in the Parliament, is also developing internal guidelines regarding collaborations with lawmakers from both the extreme left and right. Generally, the Patriots for Europe and Europe of Sovereign Nations are deemed too extreme for partnership, while certain members of The Left and ECR are considered “acceptable.”
A final version of the Renew strategy is currently under discussion among its leadership. The document states,
“As a principle, Renew members could agree to positions by certain ECR and [The Left] delegations when it does not run counter to upholding our values and priorities and is strategically necessary.”
Max Griera contributed reporting to this story.