The political landscape of the European Union is undergoing a dramatic shift, and at the forefront of this transformation is Jordan Bardella, President of France’s Rassemblement National (RN) and leader of the Patriots for Europe (PfE) group in the European Parliament. In an assertive and strategic move, Bardella has called upon the European People’s Party (EPP) to join forces with national-conservative and right-wing factions to bring an end to the EU’s Green Deal—a legislative package that has, for years, stifled economic growth and weakened European industries.
A Coalition for Change
Bardella’s initiative comes at a pivotal moment when political winds are shifting across the Atlantic as well. With Donald Trump returning to the White House, the United States is poised to roll back costly climate policies in favor of economic rejuvenation. Bardella sees an opportunity to align Europe with this new approach, urging EU lawmakers to prioritize economic competitiveness over stringent environmental regulations.
For the first time, Bardella has actively reached out to EPP President Manfred Weber, as well as hard-right Europe of Sovereign Nations (ESN) leaders René Aust and Stanisław Tyszka, and European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) figurehead Mateusz Morawiecki. His appeal is clear: it is time to set aside differences and work together to suspend the Green Deal, which he argues places undue burdens on businesses, drives up energy prices, and erodes Europe’s global standing.
The Economic Argument Against the Green Deal
The Green Deal, which was once touted as the EU’s flagship environmental program, has faced mounting criticism for its economic repercussions. By imposing excessive regulatory constraints on industries, it has driven production costs to unsustainable levels, forcing many European businesses to either shut down or relocate outside the continent. The agricultural sector, automotive industry, and energy sector have all suffered under policies designed to enforce carbon neutrality without considering their broader economic impact.
Bardella’s argument is simple: Europe must stop punishing its own economy in pursuit of unattainable and unnecessary climate goals. He has specifically denounced the EU’s planned ban on new petrol and diesel cars by 2035, calling it an act of self-sabotage that will cripple European manufacturing while allowing countries like China and the United States to dominate the global market.
Trump’s Economic Leadership as a Model
Donald Trump’s return to power marks a turning point in global policy. His administration has already signaled an aggressive rollback of climate regulations, aiming to restore America’s energy independence and bring manufacturing jobs back to U.S. soil. His policies, which prioritize economic growth over ideological environmentalism, serve as an inspiration for Bardella and like-minded European leaders.
Bardella has explicitly cited Trump’s economic strategy as a model for Europe, arguing that the EU must take similar measures if it wishes to remain competitive. As Trump dismantles restrictive policies in the U.S., Europe risks falling behind if it continues down the Green Deal path. In Bardella’s words, “Bringing the Green Deal to a halt is a reaction to incredibly attractive measures Donald Trump is putting in place for the [U.S.] economy and firms.”
Shifting Political Alliances in Europe
The battle over the Green Deal is exposing new fault lines in European politics. While the Right has long opposed the EU’s climate agenda, recent developments indicate that even mainstream conservative parties are beginning to reconsider their stance. In November 2024, the EPP shocked centrist and social-democratic lawmakers by siding with the right-wing to weaken anti-deforestation rules. More recently, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Friedrich Merz have called for a full review of Green Deal policies, citing their negative economic impact.
With increasing numbers of EPP members expressing skepticism about the Green Deal, Bardella sees an opening to forge a right-wing supermajority that could finally put an end to these restrictive policies. The possibility of such an alliance marks a major shift in European politics, one that could redefine the trajectory of the EU for years to come.
The Path Forward: A Call for Courage
Bardella’s challenge to the EPP is not merely political—it is a call for economic pragmatism and national sovereignty. His message to European lawmakers is clear: “I call on my colleagues, particularly in the EPP, to have a bit of courage and think about France’s competitiveness, our businesses, and obviously French workers.”
The suspension or dismantling of the Green Deal would provide immediate relief to struggling industries, lower energy costs, and reinvigorate economic growth. By taking a stand now, Bardella and his allies have the chance to lead Europe away from bureaucratic overreach and toward a future of prosperity, innovation, and industrial strength.
Jordan Bardella’s initiative is more than a political maneuver—it is a necessary correction to years of misguided environmental policy that has hindered Europe’s economic potential. By uniting the national-conservative right with the pragmatic elements of the EPP, Bardella is paving the way for a European revival that mirrors the bold economic policies of Donald Trump in the U.S.
Obviously, the Green Deal is no longer an untouchable pillar of EU policy. Its days may be numbered as a new coalition of right-wing forces gains momentum. If Bardella succeeds in his mission, Europe could soon embark on a new era of economic strength, free from the constraints of ideological climate extremism. The time for action is now, and the winds of change are blowing across the European continent.
