The German national-oriented Alternative for Germany (AfD) party aimed to create its own parliamentary group, abandoning plans to join the Identity and Democracy (ID) group in the European Parliament.
The AfD had originally planned to pave the way for a reunification with the ID by dropping its leading candidate Maximilian Krah from its ranks. However, the party is now considering forming its own multi-party group instead, according to Euractiv.
Another party source revealed that most of the delegation had initially hoped to reunite with the ID group, as the idea of a minor party faction was not attractive. The prospects of reuniting with the ID group anytime soon were dashed last week when the ID leadership met and decided not to readmit their former German counterparts.
Some sources within the AfD stated that potential members would mainly come from the Sofia declaration initiated by the Bulgaria‘s Vazrazhdane party in April 2024. Another source said that at least 23 lawmakers from seven different member states would need to convene to form a parliamentary group.
In Italy, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni continues to refrain from supporting European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. This leaves open the possibility for her ECR group to form a grand alliance with Marine Le Pen’s ID group.
Avoiding links with AfD party
Just weeks before the European elections, the AfD was expelled from its parliamentary group Identity and Democracy (ID) due to several scandals involving leading EU candidates. Other national parties within the ID feared that a close association with the AfD due to the party’s radical views and several spying scandals would damage their own electoral ambitions.
Allegedly, Le Pen has put strong pressure on the rest of the group to keep the AfD out, as she does not want to be seen with her former EU counterparts during the election campaign.
