The European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group in the European Parliament has embraced Patriots for Europe (PfE) president Jordan Bardella’s challenge against the EU’s climate policies, signaling a willingness to collaborate with the Right to “suspend and re-evaluate” the Green Deal. Their goal? To shield Europe’s struggling farmers and industries from further economic strain.
In an open letter, Bardella argued that postponing Green Deal measures would allow for a much-needed reassessment of “its objectives and applications, without destroying the prospects of prosperity for our continent.” He also raised concerns about democracy, revealing that the EU Commission allegedly used unethical—and possibly illegal—tactics to push the Green Deal through.
Despite mounting criticism, the center-right European People’s Party (EPP), the dominant force in the Parliament’s ‘Ursula coalition’ with the Left, refuses to forge an “alternative majority” with conservatives. Their stance underscores both their commitment to the current climate agenda and their reluctance to break the firewall that keeps the Right from influencing EU policies—a firewall that ultimately protects the establishment more than European interests.
The ECR, led by Italy’s ruling party, remains attuned to voter concerns. After last year’s EU elections, which weakened the traditional establishment’s grip, the ECR finally broke free from political isolation and entered mainstream discussions.
“Dialogue between our political groups is crucial, and we are open to further discussions with [the Patriots] and those who share our concerns about the economic and social implications of the Green Deal,” ECR co-chairs Nicola Procaccini and Patryk Jaki wrote in response to Bardella. They emphasized a commitment to working with “like-minded partners” to counter the Green Deal’s “ideological excesses” and push for policies that prioritize Europe’s economic and strategic interests.
To successfully pause the Green Deal, this emerging right-wing alliance must secure an “alternative majority” of at least 375 seats. That means uniting all nominally right-leaning factions—the EPP, PfE, ECR, and ESN—behind the effort.
With 188 seats, the EPP alone holds the key to tipping the scales. Without its support, conservatives stand little chance of halting, let alone reversing, the Green Deal’s trajectory.
There have been hints that parts of the EPP might be open to discussion. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk recently called for a “full and very critical review” of Green Deal laws, and Friedrich Merz—Germany’s potential next chancellor—voiced concerns over the economic burden of extreme climate policies. “If we go bankrupt, no one will care about the world’s environment anymore,” Tusk bluntly stated.
But the broader EPP, deeply tied to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, seems unwilling to entertain the idea of a conservative alliance, even temporarily. Instead, it remains committed to its alliances with the Left, despite clear signs of economic distress across the EU.
EPP MEP Peter Liese, chair of the Parliament’s environmental committee, flatly rejected Bardella’s proposal, stating that his party has a “completely different vision” for Europe’s green policies. “We want to safeguard the core of the Green Deal, in particular the climate target. That’s why we refuse Mr. Bardella’s initiative,” he said.
Yet, Liese’s next comment revealed the deeper reason behind the EPP’s resistance. “We do not support proposals by the Patriots, but rather our one hundred percent EPP line or reasonable compromises with the pro-European groups in the European Parliament.”
And that’s the crux of the issue. While branding itself “center-right,” the EPP consistently aligns with leftist groups—Socialists (S&D), liberals (Renew), and Greens. Any so-called “compromise” with them only ensures that Green Deal discussions remain locked within a left-wing ideological framework, preventing any real reform from taking shape.
