German MEPs propose centrist pact against far right — Politico Europe
The leaders of the German delegations in two leading political groups in the European Parliament, Niklas Herbst and René Repasi, have proposed formalizing cooperation between the center-right European People’s Party and the Social Democrats following the German model. The initiative comes amid concerns that the EPP is increasingly relying on far-right votes to pass legislation.
Politico Europe reports on the initiative. Herbst represents German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s Christian Democratic Union, while Repasi represents Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil’s Social Democratic Party of Germany. Both parties are part of Germany’s governing coalition.
An agreement instead of ad hoc votes
The MEPs propose not limiting themselves to negotiations on each individual legislative file, but agreeing in advance on mutual concessions in different areas. In their view, the sides could agree on which group would take the leading role on specific issues, as well as create a mechanism for settling disputes and sharing political gains.
“If we do not have trust, do not find good solutions and do not deliver results to people, then populists and extremists on the left and right will decide,” Herbst said. Repasi noted that when a compromise cannot be found within one file, it should be sought through agreements on other files.
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Disputes between the groups
After the 2024 European Parliament elections, the EPP has increasingly joined votes with far-right groups. This concerned, in particular, legislation on deportations, reducing environmental reporting requirements for businesses, as well as delaying and weakening rules on combating deforestation.
Repasi said that prolonged distrust and disappointment over the EPP’s agreements with the far right could lead to a complete rupture between the two centrist groups and, in his assessment, paralyze the Brussels system. At the same time, the prospects for the pact remain uncertain: a spokesperson for Social Democratic leader Iratxe García said that such an idea had already been discussed in 2024, while a representative of EPP leader Manfred Weber did not respond to a request for comment.
The parliament’s next decisions
In the near future, the EPP and the Social Democrats will have to seek common positions on a possible weakening of the ban on cars with internal combustion engines, a package simplifying environmental rules, reform of the Frontex border agency, and the EU’s seven-year budget. A separate test could be the issue of the European Parliament presidency: Roberta Metsola of the EPP is expected by MEPs to seek a third term, while the Social Democrats insist that the post should pass to their group.
