Germany's AfD, extremist allies form far-right group in European Parliament

Germany’s Alternative für Deutschland has joined forces with extremist parties from France and central and eastern Europe to create a second far-right group in the European parliament.

Named the Europe of Sovereign Nations group, it comprises 25 MEPs from eight countries, just above the threshold to form a group, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

This coalition, dominated by the AfD with 14 MEPs, includes members from Poland’s Confederation party, Bulgaria’s pro-Kremlin Revival party, and the Czech Freedom and Direct Democracy party, known for controversial statements.

Also part of this group is France’s Reconquête, founded by the TV pundit Éric Zemmour.

The coalition opposes the EU’s Green Deal, advocates against migration and Islamization in Europe, and seeks to return powers from Brussels to national states.

The AfD’s involvement comes after being expelled from a previous far-right group, reflecting a notable rightward shift in European politics.

While European parliament groups could fluctuate before the official opening of the assembly in Strasbourg next week, the rightward shift is clear.

The centre-right European People’s party remains the largest force, with three alliances further to its right – the far-right groups and the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) led by the Italian prime minister, Giorgia Meloni.

The far-right groups will vote against the appointment of Ursula von der Leyen as European Commission president next Thursday, but the ECR is split.

Within the ECR, Poland’s Law and Justice party will vote against her, but the Czech governing Civic Democratic party supports a second term for the incumbent commission president. Meloni abstained on von der Leyen’s appointment at an EU leaders’ meeting, leaving a question mark over how her Brothers of Italy MEPs will vote.