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Manila Bulletin devider World devider Macron ally warns of 'ungovernable' Europe over far-right rise

Macron ally warns of 'ungovernable' Europe over far-right rise

Published Jan 9, 2024 02:22 pm

BRUSSELS, Belgium - A leading ally of French President Emmanuel Macron warned Tuesday that Europe risks becoming "ungovernable" as far-right parties threaten to make major gains at EU elections in June.
 

"The risk of an ungovernable Europe is pretty real," Stephane Sejourne, who heads the centrist Renew Europe group that includes MEPs from Macron's party, told journalists.

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French European MP and President of the Renew Europe Group Stephane Sejourne speaks during a press conference on Renew Europe priorities in the coming election year on January 9, 2024 in Brussels. (Photo by Kenzo TRIBOUILLARD / AFP)

 

The 27-nation EU holds elections for its European Parliament later this year and polls suggest the far-right could rise to become the third-biggest grouping in the legislature.

Sejourne said there appeared to be "a populist and nationalist rise almost everywhere in Europe".

"The risk of ungovernability is quite strong... if the populist parties ever manage to have a blocking minority in the European Parliament," said Sejourne, who also heads Macron's Renaissance party.

"The risk is that it will be very difficult to compose a majority."

Renew, composed of 40 national parties, is currently the third-largest political group in the parliament behind the centre-right European People's Party and centre-left Socialists & Democrats.

But recent polls suggest it could slip behind the far-right Identity and Democracy grouping in the June elections, into fourth position.

Sejourne insisted he was confident his group could hold on to its 90 to 100 seats, and play the role of "kingmaker" in third place.

"We must go from being Europeans by conviction ourselves to  persuading Europeans to commit themselves," he told journalists, ahead of a campaign set to last months.

The European elections will kick off a reshuffle of the EU's top jobs that will set the direction for the bloc of 450 million people over the next five years.

The tussle for top positions was given an early push by European Council chief Charles Michel's announcement on Saturday that he will stand in the EU elections and end his tenure in July instead of November as planned.

Sejourne remained evasive when asked if Michel, a former Belgian premier who comes from the same political group, could head Renew's list of candidates for the next round of EU jobs.

"Obviously he will play an important role in our political family," Sejourne said.

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