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The leader of the European People’s Party (EPP), Manfred Weberdoes not rule out another joint vote with ultra-right parties. Although it is important to him not to have “structured cooperation with right-wing radical parties” in the European Parliament, Weber told the newspapers of the Funke media group. “But we will not let anyone stop us from stopping illegal migration and securing our prosperity,” added the CSU politician.
In the interview, Weber referred to the social democrats’ shared responsibility: “If the social democrats close their minds to a council, commission or compromise text that has already been agreed with each other – how should I react to that?” The EPP leader said the Social Democrats could “best fight the radicals if they deliver on the issue.”
Most recently, the European Christian Democrats also had the support of right-wing extremist factions in November for a weakening of the supply chain law released. Weber rejected the accusation that he had caused the firewall to waver to the right: “The firewall is standing. We know who our enemies are,” he said. The AfD is “an anti-European party” and a “speaker” for Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Already in 2024 the EPPwhich also includes the German CDU/CSU group, achieved a majority together with factions on the right. Back then it was about one Resolution calling Venezuela’s leader Nicolás Maduro a dictator. The other yes votes came from the European Conservatives and Reformers (ECR) group and the Patriots for Europe group, which includes the Austrian FPÖ, the Spanish Vox, the French Rassemblement National and the Hungarian Fidesz party, and the Sovereign Nations group, in which the AfD MPs are also represented.
Weber formulated three basic pillars as prerequisites for organized cooperation with other parties: “Pro Europe, pro Ukraine and pro the rule of law.”
Vote to phase out combustion engines
When asked whether he wanted to overturn the combustion engine ban with the votes of the far right, the EPP leader said that his invitation to a joint vote was aimed at the center. “Thank you to the Social Democrats that the first signals are very positive. We have to take this issue away from the populists so that they cannot campaign with the end of combustion engines in the state elections next year,” Weber said.
Under pressure from some member states such as Germany, the EU Commission had in mid-December a move away from the so-called combustion engine shutdown suggested. Accordingly, car manufacturers should be allowed to continue to bring combustion and hybrid vehicles onto the market even after 2035. The majority of newly registered cars will still be electric in the future.
The EU Commission’s proposals are now going into negotiations in the European Parliament and the Council of the 27 EU states. Both sides can introduce changes. The negotiations are expected to take a few months.
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