The European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group, led by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, is urging the European People’s Party (EPP) to break from its traditional center-right alliances and form a new coalition with the far-right Patriots for Europe. This appeal is outlined in a letter seen by POLITICO, where the ECR argues that the EPP should work across political lines to achieve better outcomes for European citizens and businesses.
The letter responds to a call by Patriots’ group chair, Jordan Bardella, who on January 28, 2025, urged EU right-wing factions to unite in opposition to the European Green Deal. The ECR letter echoed concerns about the deal’s impact on industries and citizens, suggesting the need to reassess its timelines and implementation.
The June 2024 European elections marked a significant shift, with the potential for a right-wing majority aiming to push back against the European Commission’s Green Deal, which has been criticized by many in the right-wing bloc. The EPP has previously used its influence to water down certain regulations, including the deforestation regulation, signaling an ongoing shift toward deregulation.
Despite these efforts, the EPP has consistently refrained from forming a formal alliance with the far-right Patriots for Europe group, which includes leaders like Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. This reluctance is largely due to the EPP’s long-standing relationships with left-leaning Socialists and Democrats and Renew Europe’s liberal faction.
