Key facts
- German lawmakers Niclas Herbst and René Repasi are proposing a formal centrist coalition in the European Parliament.
- The goal is to counter the increasing influence of far-right and far-left parties.
- The proposal is modeled after Germany's "grand coalition" system.
- The alliance would involve the center-right European People's Party (EPP) and the center-left Socialists & Democrats (S&D).
- This initiative aims to provide stability for European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's agenda.
Top lawmakers in the European Parliament are exploring a formal centrist coalition, inspired by Germany's "grand coalition" model, to counter the rising influence of far-right and far-left parties. Niclas Herbst (CDU) and René Repasi (SPD) are advocating for their respective pan-European political families, the European People's Party (EPP) and the Socialists & Democrats (S&D), to form a united front.
This initiative aims to provide stability for European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's legislative agenda, which has faced unpredictability due to shifting alliances and increasing reliance on right-wing votes. Herbst and Repasi argue that without a strong centrist pact, populist and extremist voices will increasingly dictate policy in Brussels, citing projections that centrist groups could lose significant seats in the next election.
The proposed model involves formal governance structures to resolve disputes and promote priorities, moving beyond file-by-file negotiations. This could include agreeing on concessions across different legislative files and establishing a joint body to steer coalition disputes, similar to the committee between the CDU and SPD in Berlin. The lawmakers believe this approach would foster mutual trust and ensure both major centrist groups achieve successes.
However, the plan faces challenges. A spokesperson for the S&D group indicated that similar proposals have been discussed before without concrete outcomes. The EPP's willingness may depend on reflecting the rightward shift observed in recent elections. Furthermore, the inherent structure of the European Parliament, where MEPs have less incentive to adhere to party lines than in national parliaments, poses a significant hurdle. The upcoming decisions on key legislative files and the contentious issue of the Parliament presidency also present potential obstacles to forming such a coalition.