The leader of the liberal bloc in June's European Parliament elections told the European Newsroom (enr) on Wednesday that she'd be happy to keep working with the legislature's largest centre-right group, but ruled out a coalition with the main eurosceptic bloc.
Valérie Hayer's centrist Renew Europe group has a written agreement to cooperate with the centre-right European People's Party (EPP), the parliament's largest political bloc, as well as the centre-left Socialists & Democrats (S&D).
But Hayer said it would be unthinkable for her group to sit at the negotiating table with the more eurosceptic European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR).
The ECR is generally to the right of the EPP but less extreme than the Identity & Democracy (ID) group, a coalition of nationalist parties. It opposes the goal of "creating an ever closer union" enshrined in the European Union's founding treaty, though its affiliates don't normally advocate leaving the EU altogether.
Nevertheless, Hayer called the ECR extreme right in its entirety. In that assessment she included Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, whose Fratelli d’Italia (Brothers of Italy) party sits in the ECR group at EU level.
Also among the ECR's ranks are Poland's Law and Justice party and Spain's Vox, as well as the New Flemish Alliance, a regional separatist party in Belgium.
HAYER: MAKE ABORTION A EUROPEAN RIGHT
Hayer, a member of French President Emmanuel Macron's Renaissance party, wants the right to an abortion to be added to the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, as it recently was to France's constitution.
She poured scorn on the Italian parliament's decision to allow anti-abortion campaigners to protest at abortion clinics and persuade women not to go through with the procedure.
“The Italian parliament has adopted an amendment that allows anti-abortion militants to intervene in clinics that perform abortions to discourage women from having an abortion," Heyer told enr. That's why a coalition with the ECR is "out of the question,” she said.
EU'S RIGHTWARD SHIFT
Hayer warned that the ECR and ID groups will win enough seats to form a blocking minority after the June 6-9 elections, though said she's "very confident" about her own group's electoral prospects.
“I say to voters throughout Europe: beware of the temptation of the far right, because the far right wants to unravel Europe, to undo the European project. It would mean withdrawal, loss of competitiveness, loss of jobs,” Hayer said.
Asked if she extends this warning to the EPP, Hayer said she has “confidence” the centre-right group wants a pro-European coalition.
“It is in our DNA to fight against extremes,” stressed Hayer. But she warned that Renew will not sign any "blank cheques" when asked to support EU member states' next nominee for president of the European Commission. The most likely nominee is the incumbent, Ursula von der Leyen of the EPP.
EUROPE NEEDS 'STRATEGIC AUTONOMY'
Renew's objective after the elections, she said, will be “to return to [the] European Parliament in the largest possible numbers to maximize the influence” of the group. The liberal bloc's priorities are "strategic autonomy" for the EU, competitiveness, and liberal values, she said.
Hayer said strategic autonomy means ensuring "that we are no longer dependent on other powers," such as the United States - long-time guarantor of European defence. She pointed to the prospect of the return of Donald Trump, who has called old American security guarantees into question.
Strategic autonomy also means weaning Europe off Russian energy, and "no longer depending on Asia for our battery supplies," Hayer said.
Another priority will be the next step of EU climate policies, having passed a swathe of green laws during the current parliamentary term. “Now we have to implement this legislation. Making sure that no one is left behind, which means supporting and giving opportunities to our businesses,” she explained.
“We are simplifying and speeding up processes, making life easier for companies that want to develop wind or photovoltaic energy projects, or electric batteries,” Hayer said. Such measures are needed to achieve the EU's goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, she argued.
ENLARGEMENT MEANS EU HAS TO REFORM TOO
Hayer warned that the presence and influence of Russia and China can be seen in the Western Balkans, and argued EU enlargement in the region is a “geopolitical tool” to counter this threat.
Nevertheless, Western Balkan nations hoping to join the EU would have to follow a merit-based process, and the same goes for Ukraine, she said.
It is also important for the EU to implement reforms of its own so that it can function after enlargement, Hayer added.
“We Europeans ourselves must undertake reforms if we are to be more effective in our decision-making processes,” said the French politician.
The content of this article is based on reporting by agencies participating in the European Newsroom (enr) project.