The choice of Valencia for the congress of the European People’s Party (EPP) could hardly be more ironic. In a city still mourning the 224 victims of the deadly climate disaster of 29 October 2024, the European People’s Party is backpedaling on climate ambition. EPP leader Manfred Weber recently proposed to delay the 2035 deadline for replacing combustion engine cars with electric ones.
Ciarán Cuffe, co-chair of the European Green Party, said: "The people of Valencia know better than most the devastating impacts of the climate crisis. So, it is irresponsible and insensitive to see the European People's Party announce in that very city that they will hit the brakes on climate action —and the price is paid by ordinary people. Does Manfred Weber want to be a statesman, or a lobbyist for car and fossil-fuel interests? The European People's Party’s backtracking creates uncertainty. While today, just ahead of Workers' Day would have been an excellent moment to encourage job creation by investing in sustainable industries.”
Vula Tsetsi, co-chair of the European Green Party said: “The choice of Spain for their congress points to another worrying question for the European People’s Party. We, as Greens, stand for democracy within Europe—fighting against the far-right wherever it arises. The political alliances of prominent member parties of the EPP family with far-right parties, in Spain, in Italy raise red flags. In these times of alliances between Trump and Putin, the EPP must decide: will they defend European democracy, or align with those who threaten it? This congress should mark a return to pro-European democratic values. This is not only about policy—it is about the soul and direction of Europe.”
Spain’s EPP member Partido Popular governs with the far-right party Vox in numerous Spanish cities, and its leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo has refused to explicitly rule out any government deals with the far-right party Vox, a member of the European Patriots. In Italy, EPP member Forza Italia already governs together with the Brothers of Italy (ECR) of Giorgia Meloni and the Lega (member of the Patriots).
