| The EU centre-right and the liberals – together with the socialists – have been broadly expected to form a pro-EU coalition in the European Parliament after the elections in June. However, it appears that there is trouble in paradise. In the first three sentences of the draft manifesto of ALDE, part of the liberal-centrist Renew Group, the EU liberals attacked what they described as an “EPP-led” Commission for “neglecting” the EU single market under the Presidency of Ursula von der Leyen. And when von der Leyen announced her bid for a second term, the radio silence in Paris was resounding. No public comment, no reaction from the Elysée or President Emmanuel Macron himself. But, after von der Leyen’s election at the European People’s Party (EPP) congress in Bucharest this week, French Commissioner Thierry Breton openly questioned if she had the full support of the EPP. “The real question now: Is it possible to (re)entrust the management of Europe to the EPP for five more years, or 25 years in a row? The EPP itself does not seem to believe in its candidate,” Breton posted on X. Earlier today, EPP Secretary General Thanasis Bakolas lashed out at Breton, saying that EU liberals have “no relevance”. “I know that things are particularly difficult in France for Renaissance, as they are squeezed by the extremes they helped to grow by weakening the traditional centre-left and the centre-right,” Bakolas said. | 