Pro-EU forces to block ‘Patriots’ in Parliament, ECR from rule of law committee

4 months ago 18

The pro-EU forces of the European Parliament have agreed to block any member of the newly established far-right “Patriots for Europe” group from getting any parliamentary committee, two EU Parliament sources confirmed to Euractiv.

“The European People’s Party (EPP), the EU socialists (S&D) and the Liberals (Renew) have agreed on applying a cordon sanitaire when it comes to the next EU parliament committees”, a S&D source told Euractiv.

When contacted by Euractiv, an EPP Parliament official confirmed the deal between the three groups, which according to the latest numbers comprise 400 seats in the 720-member parliament.

The political groups met last night to discuss their wishlist for the next EU Parliament committees.

Sources told Euractiv that Giorgia Meloni’s European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) want the LIBE committee, which focuses on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs.

The committee deals notably with the rule of law in several countries, including Poland, which is represented in the ECR group by the hard-right PiS party.

However, despite the temporary division last night, an S&D official said progressive forces will do “the utmost” to prevent ECR from getting the LIBE committee.

“The socialists, liberals, greens, the left and part of the EPP want in no way ECR to get this committee and we will do the utmost to block them”, the socialist official said.

“We understand that the EPP wants to please Meloni and keep her close, but LIBE, no”, the official added.

According to a list seen by Euractiv, the EPP has prioritised the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET), the Committee on Budgetary Control (CONT), the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE), the Committee on Fisheries (PECH) as well as the committee on Public Health (SANT).

For their part, the EU socialists have focused on the Committee on International Trade (INTA), the committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON), Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) as well as Committee on Regional Development (REGI) and Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM).

The ECR also wants the Committee on Budgets (BUDG) and the Committee on Petitions (PETI), while the Greens and the EU Left will also have committee chairs, Euractiv has learned.

[Edited by Chris Powers]