It is very unclear what the composition of the European Parliament will look like after next year’s European elections, MEP Evžen Tošenovský of the ruling ODS party told Euractiv Czech Republic while expressing fears that the party’s move from the ECR to the EPP could weaken its voice.
In the interview with Euractiv Czech Republic, the Czech MEP clarified that all options are still on the table.
“We do not know to what extent the EPP will become stronger or weaker, what will happen to the Socialists, what will happen to Renew, which looks like it will break up,” said Tošenovský.
Speaking about his party’s future on the EU political scene, Tošenovský – who does not want to run again once his third EU term comes to an end – said ODS’ decision to form a coalition called “Together” with two parties belonging to the European People’s Party (EPP) and led by Prime Minister Fiala who wanted this to happen, may backfire on ODS.
“I don’t think ODS would be strengthened by joining the EPP. I think it would be weakened because the EPP has really different ideas about Europe than we do, and our opinion would become a minority in there,” Tošenovský told Euractiv in a podcast interview during the November plenary session in Strasbourg.
He added that ODS may win fewer seats in the coalition than if it had run independently.
With its slightly Eurosceptic views, this right-wing party fitted in well. Still, the later admission of several “problematic” parties to the ranks of the ECR raised questions about whether the ODS would have done better to move to the centre-right EPP group. Naturally, there was also talk about whether this move would strengthen its influence.
Although the ECR has only around 60 MEPs, it has recently been shown that it can sway the European Parliament’s opinion. Tošenovský’s ODS colleague Alexandr Vondra, with the support of other groups, including the ID, secured a majority that relaxed the Euro 7 emission standards limits for vehicles in the European Parliament’s position.
(Ondřej Plevák | Euractiv.cz)
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