EPP teams up with right-wing, far-right parties to ease EU's environmental reporting laws

The European People’s Party (EPP), Europe’s largest political group plans to work closely with right-wing and far-right parties on a proposal to scale back environmental regulations.

If approved, the changes would ease the EU’s green reporting requirements, reducing the number of companies that must comply.

According to Politico, after an earlier vote on a broad legislative package failed two weeks ago, the European People’s Party (EPP) faced was at a crossroads. It needed to choose between compromising with centrist allies to preserve the traditional coalition or move toward right-wing factions for support. 

The EPP now appears to be opting for the latter, signaling a shift to the right in European politics.

At a meeting of EPP leaders on Tuesday, party president Manfred Weber said the EPP would seek a right-leaning majority on the environmental package after the Socialists & Democrats refused to back the initial compromise, according to three officials familiar with the talks.

Over the past year, the EPP has used the growing influence of right-wing MEPs to advance its goals, introducing initiatives that won far-right backing, though it maintains it has not directly negotiated with them on the content.

Speaking to Politico in May, the EPP’s president stated that “far-right lawmakers are here, they have a vote … and the EPP has one principle and that is following our promises.”

The move prompted backlash from other political groups. Greens MEP Kira-Marie Peter Hansensaid that she was disappointed that the EPP refused discussions on the environmental legislative package.