Alleged backroom deals between the CDU/CSU faction in the European Parliament and far-right groups – including the AfD – are drawing sharp criticism from party leaders.
CDU leader Friedrich Merz has strongly criticized reported discussions between the European People’s Party (EPP) group, which includes the CDU/CSU and far-right politicians in the European Parliament. “We do not cooperate with the right-wing radicals in the European Parliament,” the Chancellor stated.
He asserted that all decisions made in the European Parliament would be reached without the involvement of German AfD members. The German Press Agency (dpa) previously reported that the EPP group had cooperated more closely with the AfD and other right-wing parties than previously known.
“Irritated and Disturbed”
Merz personally requested clarification from the EPP group leader, CSU politician Manfred Weber, regarding the reported dealings – emphasizing his agreement with CSU leader Markus Söder: “We disapprove of what has apparently happened at the staff level,” the Chancellor said.
Together with Söder, he expects “that this will be stopped and that there will be consequences,” Merz added. “Manfred Weber is now responsible for that.” He continued, “The EPP group leader also knows that we do not want this cooperation.”
Söder said in Munich that the revelations had “very surprised and also irritated and disturbed” his party.
“A Chat Group is Not a Form of Cooperation”
Previously, Union parliamentary group leader Jens Spahn (CDU) and Söder cautiously criticized the alleged backroom dealings between EPP representatives and far-right parties. “This must have consequences,” Spahn said on ntv. However, he added that a chat group “is not a form of cooperation.”
Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul called for a clear commitment to a firewall, stating that every appearance of cooperation with the AfD must be avoided, according to the CDU politician.
CSU parliamentary group leader Alexander Hoffmann defended EPP chief Weber. “It’s also about solving the issues that concern people. Migration is one of those issues,” Hoffmann told RTL. Weber pointed out that the SPD is very inflexible on this issue at the European level – in contrast to the Social Democrats at the national level.
Criticism from the SPD
The SPD, the CDU/CSU’s coalition partner in the federal government, and other parties sharply criticized the alleged backroom deals. “Secret cooperation with right-wing radical parties in the European Parliament is a danger to Europe and a deception of the voters of the Union,” said Rhineland-Palatinate’s Minister President Alexander Schweitzer (SPD).
Personal Meetings and Chat Group
According to dpa research, the EPP group in the European Parliament had closer consultations with the AfD and other right-wing parties than previously known. The EPP reportedly worked with the right-wing faction in a chat group and at a personal meeting of MEPs on a draft law to tighten migration policy. EPP chief Weber said he was unaware of this chat group.
In the European Parliament, conservatives, social democrats, and liberals actually have a majority. However, as this has repeatedly failed to materialize in votes, the EPP chairman has voted with the ECR alliance of parties, which includes the party of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni – but not the AfD. The CDU has a declaration of incompatibility with the AfD.
