analysis
The newly founded right-wing group “Patriots for Europe” could have a difficult time in the EU Parliament: The Greens and Social Democrats have called for a firewall. They warn that the alliance could “sabotage” politics.
Social Democrats and Greens in the EU Parliament have called for a firewall against the new far-right group “Patriots for Europe”. The group must “stand isolated,” SPD Vice-President of Parliament Katarina Barley told the newspapers of the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland.
The new far-right faction should not be given any opportunity to help shape things, she continued. “The firewall to the right must be steadfast.” No official positions should be given to members of this faction, she demanded, drawing a comparison with the ID faction, in which the AfD used to sit. There should be an informal agreement that under no circumstances will they be worked with. “This will limit the new right's ability to sabotage constructive politics,” said Barley.
Greens against right-wing alliance
Green Party leader Terry Reintke said, “This adventurous right-wing extremist movement must not be given committee chairs because its only goal is to block Europe, polarize societies, abolish the Green Deal, democracy, the rule of law and freedom of the press.” Real patriots are not friends of Russia, she added. Those who love their country and Europe promote democracy instead of undermining it.
Reintke warned that the far-right politicians wanted to block Europe and implement their vision of society based on inequality and exclusion. “Their blockade policy is particularly dangerous in emergency situations where parliament urgently needs to be able to act and make decisions, such as decisions on aid to Ukraine,” said the Green politician.
Far-right without AfD
The “Patriots for Europe” group, led by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and France's right-wing populists led by Marine Le Pen, was officially founded on Monday. The group, which claims to have 84 members from twelve EU countries, is likely to become the third strongest force in the newly elected European Parliament.
The AfD will not be a member of the new parliamentary group for the time being. The party was excluded from the group because of, among other things, a Nazi statement made by its top candidate Maximilian Krah and then failed in its attempt to form its own parliamentary group.
