For this discussion, we were joined by Richard Schenk, Hungarian think tank MCC Brussels, Lena Schilling, and Austrian member of the European Parliament of the Greens and Gerben Jean Gelbrand, Dutch-language member of the European Parliament of the Free Renewal European Group. Méabh McMahon from Euronows is here to stay with you the latest news from Valencia.
The European People’s Party, which has more than dozens of council states and government chiefs, first came in last year’s European elections. The party that gathered in Valencia this week celebrated new strength, especially after the recent election victory in Germany. Representatives of the EPP parliament hope that the next German Prime Minister will take charge of the future of the European Conservative Party and the EU. After the SNAP election in February, his party once again became the most powerful political force ahead of the far-right AFD party.
The election results left Merz two options: AFD or a coalition with the Social Democrats. He had excluded all forms of cooperation with the far right, so he worked with the party of resigning Prime Minister Olaf Scholz. In Berlin, Merz designed a new, large-scale expenditure for Germany. Not everyone at his party likes it. Now he wants to be more assertive in Brussels and stand up to Donald Trump. Is that good for Europe?
The panel also discussed the situation the EPP encountered in Valencia. The party’s big moments under the sun were slightly shadowed by massive protests. It is a deliberate reminder of the failed handling of conservative regional governments in the catastrophic floods of October. Accusations: The administration has failed to provide appropriate warnings to the population of imminent disasters.
Was it wise to have Valencia host an EPP meeting? Ursula von der Leyen is ready to speak to representatives of Brussels victims on May 13th – is this the right thing?
“Brussels, my love?” with the above player.
