Key facts
- The European Parliament will start a procedure to investigate the Europe of Sovereign Nations (ESN) party.
- The ESN party, which includes Germany's Alternative for Germany (AfD), is accused of violating core EU values.
- If found non-compliant, the ESN party risks losing its status as a European political party and its EU funding.
- More than 180 lawmakers have requested the Authority for European Political Parties and Foundations (APPF) to assess the party's compliance.
- Evidence cited includes antisemitic, anti-LGBT, and anti-migrant rhetoric and actions by ESN members.
The European Parliament is preparing to launch a procedure against the Europe of Sovereign Nations (ESN) party, a coalition of far-right political forces including Germany's Alternative for Germany (AfD), over alleged breaches of the European Union's core values.
This move follows a request signed by over 180 lawmakers, tasking the Authority for European Political Parties and Foundations (APPF) with assessing the ESN party's compliance. If the APPF finds that the party has failed to uphold values such as human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law, and human rights, it could be stripped of its registration as a European political party and lose its associated funding.
The APPF has compiled a 294-page dossier containing evidence, including court rulings, statements, and social media posts from ESN members. This evidence reportedly highlights antisemitic, anti-LGBT, and anti-migrant rhetoric, as well as calls for the remigration of citizens with foreign roots and the equation of homosexuality with paedophilia. Specific incidents mentioned involve actions by Czechia's SPD party and Bulgaria's Revival party, alongside a German court ruling that deemed the AfD's policy program contrary to human dignity and freedom of religion.
An ESN spokesperson countered that the party is being accused of not respecting "European values" simply for discussing "real problems affecting Europeans" and asserted that freedom of expression is a fundamental EU value. The spokesperson argued that political disagreements should be addressed through debate.
The European People's Party, Socialists and Democrats, and Renew Europe groups are reportedly in favour of proceeding, suggesting the request is likely to be approved in a vote scheduled for next Tuesday in Strasbourg. If the Parliament triggers the procedure, the APPF will present its findings to the ESN, allowing the party an opportunity to take corrective measures before the authority makes a final decision on its deregistration. The Parliament and the Council retain the ability to overturn the APPF's final decision.