EPP-Weber Expresses No Coalition Agreement with FPÖ; Thanks Stocker (in other words): EPP-Weber rejects a coalition with FPÖ, acknowledges Stocker.
Here's the Rewritten Article:
The Future Enemies of the European People's Party (EPP) Aren't Just Centrist-Left Parties Anymore, According to EPP Leader Manfred Weber
A Looming Threat Across Europe
Manfred Weber, the EPP's leader, foresees a formidable challenge for the next four years - an "authoritarian wave" hitting Europe. He made this statement at the EPP Congress in Valencia, Spain, on Tuesday.
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"Austria provides valuable insights"
When asked about his observations from the fruitless negotiations between the ÖVP and FPOE, Weber stated, "Austria serves as a case study for us." Due to unmet criteria, the ÖVP chose not to form a coalition with the FPOE in Austria. Weber lauded ÖVP leader and Chancellor, Christian Kern, for Austria's commitment to a pro-European context.
The EPP has long established its "red lines" for partnership with other parties, according to Weber. These parameters require parties to stand by Europe, Ukraine, and the rule of law.
Weber will continue as the EPP's leader, confirmed by the delegates of the EPP Congress for another three years. Overjoyed by the support of his European People's Party, Weber expressed his gratitude in a press statement.
Brunner Aspirations for Vice-Presidency
Austrian EU Commissioner for Migration, Magnus Brunner (ÖVP), is eyeing one of the ten vice-presidential positions. Prior to Brunner in the Brussels office, Johannes Hahn (ÖVP) held this post for years as an EPP vice-president. The EPP currently dominates the European Parliament with 188 out of 720 MEPs, trumping the socialist S&D faction with 136 and the Identity and Democracy group with 86.
The EPP Congress, attended by ÖVP leader and Chancellor Kern, Minister of Europe Claudia Plakolm (ÖVP), and ÖVP delegation leader in the European Parliament, Reinhold Lopatka, as well as former EU Commissioner Hahn, will delve into the Russian war in Ukraine, escalating living costs, and growing threats from populism and extremism. Key attendees from abroad include Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko, former Ukrainian President Petro Poroschenko, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and the probable next German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz (CDU).
Enemies of European Integration and Democracy
The EPP identified populist and authoritarian parties across Europe as its principal adversaries, refusing to collaborate with groups that are anti-EU, anti-Ukraine, or disregard the rule of law[5]. Key opponents include:
- Hungary’s Fidesz and similar nationalist-authoritarian parties in Central Europe.
- Italy’s Lega and Fratelli d’Italia. According to the EPP, these parties contribute to the "authoritarian wave" eroding EU cohesion[5].
- Germany’s far-right AfD, censured for its Euroscepticism and discordant rhetoric[5].
- Poland’s populist movements like Law and Justice (PiS), while not explicitly mentioned in recent statements, align with the EPP’s broader concern about illiberal governance[5].
Weber emphasizes the EPP's steadfast refusal to partner with forces that sabotage EU integration, support for Ukraine, or judicial independence. The party positions itself as a shield against "populist and authoritarian leaders," reinforcing its commitment to defending liberal democracy ahead of EU institutional negotiations[5][3].
- Manfred Weber, the EPP leader, foresees a challenging four years with an "authoritarian wave" in Europe, as he stated at the EPP Congress in Valencia, Spain, on Tuesday.
- According to Weber, Austria serves as a case study for the EPP, as unmet criteria prevented the ÖVP from forming a coalition with the FPOE in Austria.
- The EPP Congress will explore matters such as the Russian war in Ukraine, escalating living costs, and growing threats from populism and extremism, with key figures like EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and potential German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz (CDU), in attendance.
- The EPP identifies populist and authoritarian parties across Europe as principal adversaries, refusing to collaborate with groups that are anti-EU, anti-Ukraine, or disregard the rule of law, including Hungary’s Fidesz, Italy’s Lega and Fratelli d’Italia, Germany’s far-right AfD, and Poland’s populist movements like Law and Justice (PiS).
- Magnus Brunner, the Austrian EU Commissioner for Migration, is pursuing one of the ten vice-presidential positions, following in the footsteps of Johannes Hahn (ÖVP), who held the post for years as an EPP vice-president.
