Key facts
- The European Parliament will initiate a procedure against the Europe of Sovereign Nations (ESN) party.
- The ESN party includes Germany's AfD.
- The ESN party is accused of violating EU core values.
- The ESN party could lose its registration and funding.
- The European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) is investigating alleged misuse of EU funds.
- The investigation targets the former far-right Identity and Democracy (ID) group.
- The ID group operated within the European Parliament from 2019 to 2024.
- EPPO is conducting raids in France, Spain, Italy, and Belgium.
- The review of the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) has been postponed.
- The ETS review is now scheduled for July 17.
- The European People's Party (EPP) is advocating for more free carbon allowances for industry.
- The EPP's proposal concerns free allowances beyond 2030.
The European Parliament is preparing to launch a procedure against the far-right Europe of Sovereign Nations (ESN) party, a group that includes Germany's AfD, due to alleged breaches of fundamental EU values. If the ESN party is found to be non-compliant with these values, it faces the potential loss of its official registration and associated EU funding. This action highlights ongoing scrutiny of political groups within the EU concerning their adherence to core principles.
In parallel, the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) has initiated a significant investigation into the alleged misappropriation of EU funds. This probe targets the former far-right Identity and Democracy (ID) group, which operated within the European Parliament between 2019 and 2024. As part of this investigation, EPPO prosecutors are conducting raids in four European countries: France, Spain, Italy, and Belgium. The investigation focuses on the period when the ID group was active and allegedly misused funds allocated by the EU.
Additionally, the European Commission's review of the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) has been postponed. The review, initially scheduled for earlier, is now set to take place on July 17. Concurrently, the European People's Party (EPP) is actively advocating for policy changes within the ETS framework. Specifically, the EPP is seeking to secure more free carbon allowances for heavy industry beyond the year 2030. This push is aimed at helping European industries maintain their global competitiveness in the face of evolving environmental regulations and carbon pricing mechanisms.