“My impression is that we are seeing this behavior because they are afraid of falling into the trap of the far right and being conquered,” Rivera said.
Speaking at the Spanish delegation’s office in the European Council building in Brussels, she accused the EPP of a “populist style linked to what Mr. Trump represents” and said the centre-right was “a country we don’t recognize”. “It has become a thing,” he said.
She said any attempt to steal votes from the far-right would only strengthen the message and support of far-right parties, which, according to polls, are expected to make significant gains in the election. Rivera pointed to France, where the conservative National Party has been replaced by Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally.
European Parliament election poll
For more information on polling data across Europe, please visit: POLITICO poll.
“They tried to imitate the far right in order to avoid the far right. In the end, everyone goes to the far right,” Rivera said.
EPP officials rejected the populist tag in interviews with POLITICO and framed the withdrawal under the Green File as a response to legitimate concerns, especially about the burden on rural areas. They said the EPP remains fully committed to the EU’s commitment to neutralize carbon emissions by 2050.
Peter Riese, a conservative German member of the European Parliament, said, “Even if I support the Paris Agreement, I am opposed to some of the specific measures.” Referring to the 2015 agreement to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, You can do that,” he said. He said: “It is possible to counter CO2 cars without destroying the overall picture.”