All posts tagged Socialists & Democrats Group

This was more than just an ordinary national election – it was one that signalled a new chapter in the eurozone crisis and a challenge, by the people of Greece, to austerity.

The victory by the radical left-wing party, SYRIZA, and its leader, Alexis Tsipras, was expected. However, the scale of the win was larger than predicted in pre-election opinion polls, bringing the party to the brink of an outright parliamentary majority.

SYRIZA won 36.34 per cent of the vote and 149 seats in the 300-seat Greek Parliament. New Democracy (ND), the centre-right party that had led the previous coalition government, won 27.81 per cent and 76 seats.

The far-right ultranationalist Golden Dawn party came third, with 6.28 per cent and 17 seats, the same number of positions held by The River (To Potami), a centre-left grouping formed in 2014. The Communists (KKE) won 15 seats while the conservative Independent Greeks (ANEL) took 13 seats, the same as the Socialists (PASOK), who bore the brunt of the rejection of the outgoing coalition government.

24

Oct

Europe Decides Weekly – 24 October

Tags: David Cameron, Europe of Freedom and Democracy Group, Frans Timmermans, Jean-Claude Juncker, José Manuel Barroso, Maroš Šefčovič, Matteo Renzi, Miguel Arias Cañete, Nigel Farage, Socialists & Democrats Group

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Read more in Europe Decides Weekly, 24 October 2014

Top stories: 18-24 October 2014

Juncker Commission approved after last-minute portfolio changes: The European Parliament has approved the new European Commission by 423 votes to 209. Speaking to the assembly before the vote, Jean-Claude Juncker, who will assume the Commission presidency on 1 November, stated that his college represented the “last chance” to restore citizens’ trust. Following the hearings, Juncker slightly reshuffled the distribution of portfolios. Among the changes, sustainable development policies were added to Frans Timmermans’ portfolio as Socialist MEPs were concerned about climate policy coming under the responsibility of Miguel Arias Cañete. The Commission was formally appointed by the European Council on Thursday. EurActiv; European Parliament; European Voice; EurActiv; EurActiv; European Voice; EU Reporter; European Voice; Europe Decides Twitter; Europolitics

Polish MEP saves Farage’s group: Robert Iwaszkiewicz, an MEP from Poland’s Congress of the New Right party, has joined the Eurosceptic Europe of Freedom and Direct Democracy Group, saving it from being disbanded. The Group, led by Nigel Farage, faced collapse following the withdrawal of a Latvian deputy. Iwaszkiewicz’s arrival caused a stir in the European Parliament, as KNP leader Janusz Korwin-Mikke, a deputy for less than four months, has already been suspended by the institution for using racist language, and Iwaszkiewicz himself had made remarks about hitting women. Iwaszkiewicz said he joined the group to oppose to EU bureaucracy and support the free market. EUObserver; EurActiv; EFDD; Europolitics; Yahoo News; European Voice

Barroso bows out before MEPs: On 21 October José Manuel Barroso made a valedictory address as European Commission President. During his speech in the European Parliament he highlighted his greatest achievements and memories, including collecting the Nobel Peace Prize on behalf of the European Union. Critics say that his Commission was too fixed on austerity, failed to create economic growth and jobs, and saw a weakening of the institution. EUObserver

10

Oct

Europe Decides Weekly – 10 October

Tags: Alenka Bratusek, European People's Party Group, Frans Timmermans, Greens / European Free Alliance Group, Jean-Claude Juncker, Jyrki Katainen, Laimdota Straujuma, Miguel Arias Cañete, Socialists & Democrats Group, Valdis Dombrovskis

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Read more in Europe Decides Weekly, 10 October 2014

Top stories: 4-10 October 2014

Bratušek steps aside after MEPs reject her nomination: Alenka Bratušek, the Slovenian nominee for the post of European Commission’s Vice-President for Energy Union, has resigned her candidacy. The former Slovenian prime minister was rejected by members of the European Parliament’s Environment and Industry committees by 112 votes to 13 after a widely-criticised performance in her hearing. Commission President-elect Jean-Claude Juncker is now likely to have to reshuffle his team, with Violeta Bulc, Slovenia’s Deputy Prime Minister, put forward on Friday as the Slovenian nominee. Juncker will meet Bulc next week before deciding whether to submit her candidacy, and that of the other commissioners-designate, for another vote by the Council. Tanja Fajon, an MEP in the Socialists & Democrats Group, had been the preferred candidate of centre-left and centre-right MEPs. EurActiv; European Voice; EUObserver; Economic Times; Europolitics; Financial Times; New Europe

Arias Cañete and Navracsics have wings clipped as other nominees survive vote: Aside from Alenka Bratušek, all other commissioners-designate have been backed by members of the European Parliament’s committees. Two candidates would see their powers limited under plans backed by MEPs: Miguel Arias Cañete, the controversial Spanish centre-right nominee for the Climate Action and Energy portfolio, was endorsed by MEPs, including those from the Socialists & Democrats (S&D) Group, but would be under the supervision of Frans Timmermans, the nominated First Vice-President, who would add sustainable development to his list of responsibilities. Tibor Navracsics, the Hungarian nominee who, like Arias Cañete, is a member of the European People’s Party (EPP), was approved as a commissioner but MEPs voted to strip him of responsibility for citizenship. It is possible that Navracsics may move from the education and culture job as a whole as part of a reshuffle following Bratušek’s rejection. For a number of other candidates – including Pierre Moscovici, Jyrki Katainen and Valdis Dombrovskis, the EPP and S&D Groups put aside their misgivings about political opponents and voted to approve the commissioners-designate in their positions, leaving smaller groups – notably the Greens – complaining about ‘backroom deals’ to approve candidates they saw as sub-standard or unsuited to their roles. EurActiv; Europolitics; EUObserver; S&D Group

Hill glides through second hearing: The only commissioner-designate to be called back for a second hearing, the UK’s Jonathan Hill, gave an assured and optimistic performance before MEPs on the Economic and Monetary Affairs committee. His candidacy was approved after the hearing. Hill, like Navracsics, Moscovici, and the Czech Republic’s Verá Jourová, had to answer further questions from MEPs in writing after failing to impress MEPs in their initial hearings. All were subsequently voted through by MEPs. European Voice; Europolitics; EurActiv

03

Oct

Europe Decides Weekly – 3 October

Tags: Cecilia Malmström, David Cameron, European People's Party Group, Ewa Kopacz, Günther Oettinger, Miguel Arias Cañete, Socialists & Democrats Group, Stefan Löfven

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Read more in Europe Decides Weekly, 3 October 2014

Top stories: 27 September to 3 October 2014

Five commissioners not approved after first week of parliamentary hearings: MEPs have failed to approve five of the 21 commissioners-designate who have taken part in hearings so far. The initial round of hearings on Monday and Tuesday saw tough questions for Cecilia Malmström (Trade) and Günther Oettinger (Digital Economy and Society), but all ten nominees were approved. However, four of the commissioners-designate heard on Wednesday – Jonathan Hill (Financial Markets), Věra Jourová (Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality), Tibor Navracsics (Education, Culture, Youth and Citizenship) and Miguel Arias Cañete (Climate Action and Energy) – are all yet to be approved. Hill, Jourová and Navracsics have been asked by MEPs to respond to further questions in writing over the weekend, and Hill will face a further examination by MEPs on Tuesday. Pierre Moscovici (Economic and Financial Affairs, Taxation and Customs) also failed to get approval on Thursday as centre-right and centre-left MEPs blocked nominees from opposing parties. EurActiv; European Voice; Europolitics; EUObserver

Protests against Cañete before hearings: Demonstators gathered in front of the European Parliament on Wednesday to protest against the nomination of Miguel Arias Cañete as Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy. The ‘Stop Cañete’ protestors questioned the Spaniard’s links to two oil companies in which he held a stake at the time of his designation. They also cited potential family links to the firms. Arias Cañete began his hearing by apologising for a sexist remark made during the European Parliament election campaign. EurActiv; Europolitics; EUObserver

Löfven confirmed as Sweden’s next Prime Minister: Stefan Lövfen has been formally approved by the Swedish Parliament to lead the government. The radical right-wing Sweden Democrats party voted against the Social Democrat / Green coalition, with the centre-right abstaining. While Lövfen’s left coalition won the election, his government will need to negotiate many bills with the conservatives to attain the necessary majorities, which may lead to defeats in Parliament. Margot Wallström, a former vice-president of the European Commission, becomes Foreign Minister, and Isabella Lövin, a Green MEP who is a vice-chair of the European Parliament’s Fisheries Committee, becomes International Development Minister. EurActiv

05

Sep

Europe Decides Weekly – 5 September

Tags: Alenka Bratusek, Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Group, Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Party, Dacian Cioloș, Dalia Grybauskaite, Donald Tusk, European People's Party, Federica Mogherini, Frans Timmermans, Greens / European Free Alliance Group, Jean-Claude Juncker, José Manuel Barroso, Party of European Socialists, Radosław Sikorski, Socialists & Democrats Group

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Read more in Europe Decides Weekly, 5 September 2014

Top stories: 30 August to 5 September 2014

Tusk and Mogherini appointed to EU’s top jobs: The European Council made two senior appointments at a summit on Saturday, electing Poland’s Prime Minster, Donald Tusk, as the next President of the European Council, and appointing Italy’s Foreign Minister, Federica Mogherini, as Commission Vice-President and High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. Tusk received the unanimous backing of his fellow leaders while Mogherini was backed by all except the Lithuanian President, Dalia Grybauskaite, who abstained. European Voice; EurActiv; Inet Post; EUObserver; New York Times; New Europe; SBS; Polskie Radio; wn.com; Newzulu; Bloomberg

Juncker names Commission team: Jean-Claude Juncker has interviewed all nominees for positions in the European Commission as he continues to prepare his College. The final list of nominees, which comprises 14 members of the European People’s Party (including Juncker), eight from the Party of European Socialists, five Liberals and a Conservative, must be agreed by the Council. Juncker will then announce the distribution of portfolios and the way he intends to organise the work of the next European Commission. This announcement is expected early next week. All candidates will then go through hearings in the European Parliament, before a final vote on the entire Commission. EurActiv; EUObserver; New Europe

Juncker meets Parliament’s gender balance target: Jean-Claude Juncker’s list of nominees for the Commission includes nine women – the same number as were appointed to the Barroso II Commission in 2010. Four of the women come from the Liberals, with three from the EPP and two Socialists. The Socialists, Greens and Liberals in the European Parliament had threatened to veto the College unless the gender balance matched that of the current team, although it falls short of the ‘ten or more’ women demanded by the current female commissioners. Two countries switched nominees this week from men to women: Romania named Corina Crețu, a Social Democrat and vice-president of the European Parliament, to replace Dacian Cioloș, while Poland nominated Elżbieta Bieńkowska, the country’s Deputy Prime Minister, to replace Radosław Sikorski, the Foreign Minister, after he failed in his bid to be made High Representative. New Europe; EurActiv; Europe Decides Twitter

18

Jul

Europe Decides Weekly – 18 July

Tags: Alenka Bratusek, Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Group, David Cameron, European People's Party Group, Ferdinando Nelli Feroci, Helle Thorning-Schmidt, Herman Van Rompuy, Jacek Dominik, Jean-Claude Juncker, Jyrki Katainen, Kristalina Georgieva, Martine Reicherts, Socialists & Democrats Group

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This is the last Europe Decides Weekly before the summer break.

Weekly updates will resume on 5 September, and you can keep up to date with the latest news on Twitter (@europedecides).

Read more in Europe Decides Weekly, 18 July 2014

Top stories: 12-18 July 2014

Juncker elected as Commission President: The European Parliament has elected Jean-Claude Juncker as the next President of the European Commission. Juncker won 422 votes, comfortably above the threshold of 376. In his statement prior to the vote Juncker laid out his priorities for the next European Commission, emphasising his commitment to economic growth and implementing structural reforms while also taking account of the social consequences of decisions. Juncker’s nomination received support from the majority of MEPs from the European People’s Party, the Socialists and Democrats, and the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats. Europe Decides Twitter; European Voice; EUObserver

EU leaders make no progress on top jobs: European leaders failed to agree on who would take the EU’s other top jobs during a summit on 16 July. Tensions over Ukraine have intensified the discussions surrounding the new High Representative, the Union’s top diplomat. Italy is promoting its young Foreign Minister, Federica Mogherini, while central and Eastern European states consider her too friendly towards Russia and doubt her experience. Bulgaria’s Kristalina Georgieva is considered a potential compromise candidate. The selection of the new President of the European Council appears equally difficult. Candidates include Denmark’s Prime Minister, Helle Thorning-Schmidt. The current President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy, called a new meeting for Saturday 30 August. As member states continue to nominate commissioners, debates have begun regarding the distribution of portfolios, although it is now feared that the member states’ indecisiveness could delay the installation of the new College. Europolitics; Europolitics; Europolitics; EUObserver; EurActiv; EurActiv; Euronews; EUObserver; EurActiv; EurActiv; EUObserver

Approval of four new temporary commissioners: After being grilled by members of European parliamentary committees, four new commissioners have been approved, replacing those who left to become MEPs. They will serve for the rest of the Commission’s current term (which is scheduled to end on 31 October). The new commissioners are Jyrki Katainen (Finland – economic and monetary affairs), Ferdinando Nelli Feroci (Italy – industry and entrepreneurship), Martine Reicherts (Luxembourg – justice and fundamental rights) and Jacek Dominik (Poland – budgets). European Parliament; New Europe; EUObserver; EurActiv; European Voice; European Voice; European Parliament, European Parliament

11

Jul

Europe Decides Weekly – 11 July

Tags: Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Group, Catherine Ashton, Europe of Freedom and Democracy Group, European Conservatives and Reformists Group, European People's Party Group, Greens / European Free Alliance Group, Helle Thorning-Schmidt, Herman Van Rompuy, Jean-Claude Juncker, Jeroen Dijsselbloem, Nigel Farage, Olli Rehn, Socialists & Democrats Group

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Read more in Europe Decides Weekly, 11 July 2014

Top stories: 5-11 July 2014

Eurosceptics shut out as committees elect chairs and vice-chairs: The European Parliament’s 20 committees and two sub-committees have elected their key office-holders for the next two-and-a-half years. The centre-right European People’s Party and centre-left Socialists and Democrats groups won most of the top posts and teamed up with the Liberal ALDE Group to prevent positions going to the hardline Eurosceptic Europe of Freedom and Direct Democracy (EFDD). Members of the Petitions committee blocked the election of EFDD MEP Eleonora Evi to the chair, with EFDD leader Nigel Farage attacking “the europhile groups” and their “fear of democracy”. Similarly, two German Eurosceptic deputies from the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, Bernd Lucke and Beatrix Storch, were rejected as vice-chairs by the economic affairs and women’s rights committees respectively. New Europe; EUObserver; Euranet Plus; EurActiv; European Parliament News; European Voice; Europe Decides Twitter

Juncker exchanges views with political groups in European Parliament: The European Council’s candidate for the Commission presidency, Jean-Claude Juncker, has held meetings with the political groups of the European Parliament to gain support for his candidacy in the election on 15 July. The candidate had sent all groups a summary of his campaign priorities. Even though the Conservative ECR Group will vote against Juncker, and the Greens remain divided, the majority of the EPP, S&D and ALDE groups are expected to vote in favour of his candidacy, guaranteeing him therefore a majority. The EPP confirmed their support for Juncker, but the Socialists said his performance was “positive and useful but not yet fully satisfactory”, and looked for greater assurances on a number of issues. The ALDE Group will take a decision on Monday. EUReporter; European Commission; Europolitics; European Voice; New Europe; EurActiv; Euranet; EPP group; S&D news

Confusion over Juncker promise on key economic role: At a meeting with the Socialists and Democrats Group in the European Parliament, Jean-Claude Juncker allegedly announced that Olli Rehn’s successor as Commissioner for Economics and Monetary Affairs will be a Socialist. The top contenders for the position include Pierre Moscovici, a former French finance minister, and Jeroen Dijsselbloem, the current head of the Eurogroup and the Netherlands’ Finance Minister. However, in a press release following Juncker’s hearing before Liberal MEPs, the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) Group claimed that during their hearing Juncker noted that European Commission portfolios have not yet been allocated. ALDE; European Voice; Europolitics; EUObserver; Europe Decides Twitter

Leaders gear up for appointments summit: On Wednesday EU leaders will meet in an extraordinary summit to choose the future president of the European Council, the new foreign policy chief and the chair of the Eurozone finance ministers group. The current President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy, has been consulting with national leaders and expects to conclude these talks on 11 July. Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt is a favourite for the European Council role, with Federica Mogherini, Italy’s Foreign Minister in line to replace Catherine Ashton as the new High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. European Voice

06

Jul

Europe Decides Weekly – 4 July

Tags: Antonio Tajani, Antonis Samaras, David Cameron, European People's Party, European People's Party Group, Günther Oettinger, Janusz Lewandowski, Jean-Claude Juncker, José Manuel Barroso, Jyrki Katainen, Martin Schulz, Matteo Renzi, Michel Barnier, Olli Rehn, Socialists & Democrats Group, Viviane Reding

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Read more in Europe Decides Weekly, 4 July 2014

Top stories: 28 June to 4 July 2014

Schulz elected Parliament President in first test of ‘grand coalition’: Martin Schulz has been elected for a second time as President of the European Parliament. Schulz, who recently returned to lead the Socialists & Democrats group, won 409 out of 612 valid votes, winning in the first ballot. Of the other candidates – who participated in a pre-election debate that Schulz did not attend – British Conservative Sajjad Karim (ECR Group) took 101 votes, with Spanish far-left candidate Pablo Iglesias and Austrian Green Ulrike Lunacek taking 51 votes each. The vote was a successful first test of the grand coalition between the EPP, Socialists and Liberals, although Schulz faced criticism for benefitting from a ‘backroom deal’ having criticised such agreements during the European election campaign. Schulz keeps the presidency until 2017, when an EPP candidate – possibly France’s Alain Lamassoure – is thought likely to take over the position. Europa RAPID; S&D news; New Europe; Deutsche Welle; European Voice; EUObserver; Europolitics; EurActiv

Juncker vote in Parliament moved to 15 July as Cameron tries to patch up differences: The European Parliament has brought forward its vote to elect Jean-Claude Juncker as the new Commission president to 15 July, one day earlier than originally planned. This will give more time to EU leaders before they meet in Brussels on 16 July to decide on a package of other top EU jobs, including the presidency of the European Council. Juncker’s biggest opponent in the European Council, British Prime Minister David Cameron, called the President-designate last weekend to discuss reform and economic growth in Europe. Thanks to the ‘grand coalition’ agreement in the Parliament, Juncker is likely to be elected, but the Socialists have stated that their support is dependent on certain conditions, including an unbreakable commitment to promote investment, sustainable growth and decent, secure jobs, and a plan to tackle poverty and inequality. EUObserver; European Voice; Deutsche Welle; S&D news

Renzi steals the show as Greeks depart: Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi saw his presentation of the priorities of the Italian Presidency of the Council greeted by warm applause from MEPs. Renzi focused on growth and values in his speech. The Commission and Parliament praised the work of the outgoing Greek Presidency. Greek PM Antonis Samaras said that from January to June, Greece had concluded 67 legislative initiatives and achieved consensus on another 15, addressing critical policy areas such as the economic and banking union, unemployment, and competitiveness and growth. Jose Manuel Barroso, the European Commission President, said Greece “not only responded to crisis but also contributed constructively to the European agenda.” Europolitics; Italian Government news; Europarl news; European Voice; Europa RAPID

20

Jun

Europe Decides Weekly – 20 June

Tags: Alexander Stubb, Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Group, Angela Merkel, Europe of Freedom and Democracy Group, European Conservatives and Reformists Group, European People's Party, Gianni Pittella, Guy Verhofstadt, Jean-Claude Juncker, Jyrki Katainen, Martin Schulz, Matteo Renzi, Nigel Farage, Olli Rehn, Socialists & Democrats Group

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Read more in Europe Decides Weekly, 20 June 2014

Top stories: 14-20 June 2014

Schulz elected to head Socialists for top jobs talks: The Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament have elected Martin Schulz as their new President. Schulz will lead the group in talks over the election of a new Commission President and stated that he foresees a “tandem” with the frontrunner from the European People’s Party, Jean-Claude Juncker. However, sources in Berlin told Der Spiegel that Schulz’s Social Democrats would not claim the Commission job in the face of opposition from Chancellor Angela Merkel and her Christian Democrats party, but would look to secure the presidency of the Parliament for Schulz with centre-right backing as part of an overall package. Schulz stepped down as Parliament President before the vote in the S&D Group, with Gianni Pittella taking over as acting President until the Parliament reconvenes on 1 July. Europolitics; Deutsche Welle; EUObserver; S&D news; PES news; The Parliament; EurActiv; Der Spiegel

Stubb to toe economic line as Katainen heads to Brussels: Alexander Stubb has been elected as the leader of Finland’s centre-right National Coalition Party and will become Finland’s prime minister, replacing Jyrki Katainen. Stubb will lead a coalition government that includes the Social Democrats but has pledged to maintain the core elements of the austerity programme of his predecessor. Meanwhile Katainen has been nominated to replace Olli Rehn in the European Commission. Rehn will become an MEP. A hearing for Katainen is set to be held before the summer recess. Bloomberg; Economic Times; EurActiv; EUObserver; European Voice; Europolitics

Flemish separatists snub ALDE as ECR becomes third-largest group: The New Flemish Alliance (N-VA) has chosen to join the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) Group in the European Parliament, rejecting an invitation from the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) group, led by Guy Verhofstadt, who was re-elected to his post this week. The N-VA’s decisionmakes the ECR the third-largest party in the European Parliament. It has 68 seats to ALDE’s 67. Both groups added further members this week as the formation of political factions continues. EUObserver; European Voice; De Standaard; EurActiv; New Europe; Europolitics

Read more in Europe Decides Weekly, 6 June 2014

Top stories: 31 May to 6 June 2014

Merkel backs Juncker but EU member states still at odds: National leaders are still discussing who should lead the new European Commission following the European elections. While the EPP Group is the strongest in the Parliament, it is still unclear as to whether the EPP candidate for Commission presidency, Jean-Claude Juncker, will be nominated by member states, after several of them expressed misgivings about his appointment. The UK’s Prime Minister, David Cameron, has allegedly indirectly threatened British exit from the EU should Juncker become President, telling Germany’s Chancellor, Angela Merkel, that the move may force him to bring forward his planned referendum on EU membership. Meanwhile, Juncker has received support from the rival candidate of the European Socialists, Martin Schulz, and Greek left-wing leader Alexis Tsipras. They say that the EPP’s win in the elections means Juncker should be first in line to attempt to win a majority. EurActiv; Gulf News; New Europe; EUObserver; European Voice; Guardian; Euronews; Tagesschau; FAZ; Bloomberg; Irish Times; KTVL news; Deutsche Welle; Europolitics; Sunday Times; Twitter

Leaders and contenders consider Juncker alternatives: With question marks hanging over the candidacy of Jean-Claude Juncker, Angela Merkel has reportedly asked French President François Hollande whether he would consider nominating the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, Christine Lagarde, to be the next President of the European Commission. French sources say that Hollande did not support the idea. Also in France, the name of Michel Barnier, who Juncker defeated to the EPP nomination, still circulates as a possible compromise candidate. Meanwhile Olli Rehn’s expected departure to the European Parliament is likely to see Finland’s current Prime Minister, Jyrki Katainen, head to Brussels as a commissioner. He is also under consideration as a possible successor to José Manuel Barroso, although Katainen is still backing Juncker’s candidacy. EurActiv; Reuters; Le Monde

Le Pen and Farage compete to attract MEPs as ECR numbers surge: Despite his victory in Britain’s European Parliament election, the leader of the UK Independence Party (Ukip), Nigel Farage is struggling to secure the existence of his Europe of Freedom and Democracy (EFD) group. Farage is being squeezed by France’s far-right leader, Marine Le Pen, who is trying to cobble together a far-right group called the ‘European Alliance for Freedom’ and has already wooed Italy’s Northern League away from the EFD, and the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) Group. The ECR this week added ten members (going to 55 MEPs), including former members from the Danish People’s Party and the Finns, both parties having been previously aligned to the EFD. Slovakian, German and Greek members also joined the ECR, with decisions pending on Bulgaria Without Censorship and the Alternative for Germany (whose admission to the group of David Cameron’s Conservatives could anger Germany’s Chancellor, Angela Merkel, at a sensitive time in negotiations on the Commission presidency). Meanwhile Farage is trying to forge links with Italy’s Five Star Movement, but risks not having enough nationalities to re-form the EFD. European Voice; EUObserver; Novinite; Europe Decides; Twitter; Reuters; EurActiv