Franco-German far-right civil war shuffles EU election cards

Good morning from Berlin,

The decision of the French far-right Rassemblement National (RN) to end the alliance with their German counterpart Alternative for Germany (AfD), a fellow member of the far-right Identity and Democracy (ID) group in the European Parliament, has created shockwaves ahead of the EU elections on 9 June.

For some, the close association with the AfD and their increasing far-right extremism tendencies is becoming more and more dangerous for Marine Le Pen’s ambitions of becoming the next French president.

According to the latest projections by Euractiv’s partner Europe Elects, the ID group is estimated to get 83 seats from the 59 it currently has.

In Germany, AfD will try today at a meeting to manage the crisis as the German far-right is losing its strongest EU partner.

Euractiv has learnt that the position of the AfD’s lead candidate, Maximilian Krah – who caused the crisis after he stated that he would never say “anyone who wore an [SS Schutzstaffel] uniform was automatically a criminal” – is at stake.

Reporting from Berlin, Kjeld Neubert digs deeper.

Squabbles between liberal Sandro Gozi and far-right Anders Vistesen dominated the second live debate for the EU executive’s top job in Brussels on Tuesday, while European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and socialist Nicolas Schmit brought little surprises to the table. Anna Brunetti and Thomas Moller-Nielsen have more.

On foreign matters, Spain and Ireland, and possibly another country, are set to announce the recognition of a Palestinian state on Wednesday, a move that could further divide EU policy in the region.

Moreover, the Council of Europe’s top constitutional law body, the Venice Commission, has stated that Georgia must repeal the ‘foreign influence’ law as it could be used to silence critical voices.

Meanwhile, at the institutional level, Max Griera reports that the next European Parliament will need to negotiate with EU countries two key files which aim to harmonise corruption offences and transparency requirements for foreign-funded organisations, both proposed after a string of corruption cases, like Qatargate, shook the outgoing legislature.

Last but not least on energy, socialist EU lawmaker Jens Geier told Euractiv in an interview that the EU’s newest set of low-carbon hydrogen standards will be challenging, and Brussels must prepare industry-specific support programmes.

As Irish voters head to the polls for local and European elections on 7 June, neither the ruling parties nor the opposition have a clear lead following the recent emergence of independent candidates, but the tables could still be turned as ‘hot ticket’ issues such as tackling immigration or housing become the campaign’s primary focus. Daniel Eck has the story.

BERLIN

German liberals slam von der Leyen for not ruling out new EU debt. Politicians from the liberal FDP (Renew), part of Germany’s three-party ruling coalition, have criticised European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for not ruling out a new debt-financed EU investment programme. Read more.

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PARIS

French RN breaks with German AfD. Rassemblement National’s (RN) President Jordan Bardella announced on Tuesday that the party will end the alliance with his German counterpart Alternative for Germany (AfD), a fellow member of the far-right Identity and Democracy (ID) group. Read more.

Macron in New Caledonia to set up ‘mission’ after protests. French President Emmanuel Macron should arrive in troubled New Caledonia on Tuesday night to set up “a mission”, a government spokesperson said, as the situation in the French overseas territory in the South Pacific remains tense following a week of protests, with blockades in certain areas of the capital city Nouméa. Read more.

STOCKHOLM

Sweden’s Centre Party will push for the Swedish Liberals to be expelled from their common Renew Europe group in the European Parliament after the EU elections if they continue cooperating with the far-right Sweden Democrats at the national level, the party’s MEP Emma Wiesner said on Tuesday. Read more.

MADRID

Spain is recalling its ambassador to Argentina, Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said on Tuesday, amid an escalating diplomatic row between the two nations. Read more.

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ROME

Italian far-right Lega files bill for mandatory military service. Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini’s League party has submitted a bill to the Chamber of Deputies proposing a mandatory six-month period of military or civilian service for all young people aged between 18 and 26, while the far-right party’s centre-right allies, including Defence Minister Guido Crosetto, oppose the measure. Read more.

WARSAW

Brussels to withdraw Article 7 procedure against Poland in coming days. European Commission Vice-President Věra Jourová has said she would recommend that the EU executive withdraw the Article 7 procedure against Poland, launched in 2017, following discussions on the issue among EU ministers at the General Affairs Council on Tuesday. Read more.

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PRAGUE

Czech lawmakers warn of Russian operations threatening EU elections. Russian influence and disinformation campaigns in the EU pose a significant threat to the integrity of the upcoming European Parliament elections, according to the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Security Committee of the Czech Senate. Read more.

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BRATISLAVA

Slovak parties urge end to hatred as government pushes ahead with polarising reforms. The parties in Slovakia’s parliament have unanimously adopted a coalition resolution condemning the recent assassination attempt on Prime Minister Robert Fico and urging people not to spread hatred, while the government has reaffirmed its commitment to reforms that have sparked mass protests. Read more.

SOFIA

Wiretapping scandal rocks election campaign in Bulgaria. Leaked wiretaps of leading politicians from the liberal Renew Europe-linked Bulgarian party “We Continue the Change”, in which one is heard saying that the party has a lot of money available in cash, have shaken the campaign ahead of Bulgaria’s early parliamentary and EU elections, scheduled for the same day. Read more.

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[Edited by Sarantis Michalopoulos, Daniel Eck, Liene Lūsīte, Alice Taylor]