A Secret Document From the European Left Was Leaked to Fight Against the Right

Left-wing politicians in the European Parliament are planning strategies to combat the rise of the right, urging their members to adopt a "tougher" stance, ridicule the "extremists" and create divisions between them and the European People's Party (EPP), according to secret documents obtained by the outlet POLITICO.

"It is essential to identify and exploit any issue that could create a fracture between the far right and the EPP," states a report from the Socialists and Democrats (S&D) group, mainly referring to the alliances of Patriots for Europe and Europe of Nations and Freedom.

In recent months, the EPP caused unrest among centrist and center-left blocs by allying with right-wing parties to combat environmental laws of the 2030 Agenda, essential initiatives of the European Green Deal.

With the new political balance tilting to the right, as demonstrated in several votes since last year's European elections, this trend is expected to strengthen when the European Commission presents new legislative proposals. This scenario allows the EPP to form majorities without relying on the socialists.

"Manfred Weber's center-right party must understand that seeking agreements with both sectors will have consequences," warns the left-wing document. However, it also recommends avoiding a "too confrontational" stance to not alienate the more moderate sectors within the EPP.

Regarding possible cooperation with the European Conservatives and Reformists group, led by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, the S&D suggests evaluating each case individually before making a decision.

An S&D group MEP, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal plans, criticized the strategy and noted: "While Europe crumbles, the S&D remains immersed in its political games."

The S&D's plans are not new, as they had already been debated during a meeting of senior European Parliament representatives in Genval, Belgium, earlier this month, according to a group spokesperson.

The document also suggests transforming a symbolic agreement between socialists, the EPP, the Greens, and the liberals into "concrete actions," with the aim of building more stable coalitions. To this end, it urges S&D members to strengthen cooperation with the liberals and the Greens.

In general, alliances with Patriots for Europe and Europe of Nations and Freedom are considered unacceptable, while certain members of The Left and the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group may be seen as potential partners.