by
Sarantis Michalopoulos*
The decision of former President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz to return to national politics is a “relief” for the Social Democrats’ group as it now has room to cooperate with the political forces on the left, S&D sources told EurActiv.com in Strasbourg.
After the adventurous defeat by EPP’s Antonio Tajani in the election of the Parliament President, the S&D group is focusing on the balances of the next day and seeks new alliances that will help the group counterbalance the prevalence of the right-wing forces.
“Self-determination”
Several S&D sources told EurActiv that the presence of Martin Schulz in the group had prevented it from taking an ideological leap to the left.
“The departure of Martin Schulz relieved the vast majority of S&D MEPs as we now have the opportunity to a self-determination,” a German Social-Democrat MEP told EurActiv, adding that the group is eyeing the forces on the left side of the spectrum, particularly the GUE-NGL and the Greens/EFA.
Before the election of the Parliament President, S&D candidate Gianni Pittella announced that the traditional grand coalition between his party and the center-right EPP was over and would not be restored after the vote.
The initial EPP/S&D deal for the Parliament presidency terms was signed by Martin Schulz and Manfred Weber. When the EPP leader revealed the document last week, he heavily critisised Pittella for breaking it, but not Schulz.
A progressive coalition
In September, EurActiv reported that a leftist coalition was underway and that the collaboration between the EPP and S&D was coming to an end due to the increased disagreements in a number of topics, like the austerity policies and the handling of the migration crisis.
Another reason behind the decision to terminate the grand coalition is to halt the rise of the extreme-right. Many socialists believe that the rise of populism across Europe could be attributed to the lack of opposition in the times of the grand coalition.
Now that the EPP took control of the Parliament, the much-discussed alliance is ready to be formed.
“We entered a new phase where a conservative coalition has been formed between the EPP and ECR,” sources said, adding that the group’s objective now is to form an opposition coalition with the progressive powers, such as GUE-NGL and the Greens.
“It’s not our intention to block the legislative procedure […] we want to play a constructive role but first we need to be consulting with the progressive powers,” the S&D official said, adding that the main goal is to create a “structured coordination” among the groups.
EurActiv.com was also informed that the last week an exchange of letters took place between the S&D and the European United Left/ Nordic Green Left (GUE/NGL), in which the creation of an “anti-austerity platform” was thoroughly discussed.
“They will knock our door”
The socialists claim that the new conservative coalition does not have an absolute majority to pass legislation and therefore, “they will knock our door for support”.
“They cannot legislate on the Brexit or migration without us […] we cannot imagine a scenario where they will get backed by the anti-Europeans,” a source said.
The European Commission
Regarding the role of the EU executive after the election, sources explained that it should consider that a new right-wing coalition is formed that it cannot rely on 100% as it’s “less homogeneous”.
“We are kingmakers for the European Commission as well, they have to come through us to pass legislation,” a socialist MEP stated.
Angry with Verhofstadt
Referring to the future relations with the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) leader Guy Verhofstadt, sources said that there was no trust anymore.
Socialists put the blame on the former Belgian premier for the result of the election, saying that he is “responsible for the right-wing turn of the Parliament”.
“He treated us vey harshly,” an S&D source noted, adding that the day before the vote his stance was neutral.
The European leftists are also angry with Verhofstadt. Sources told EurActiv that at a meeting with GUE-NGL before the election, Verhofstadt had promised not to step down from the process.
The Greens
As far as the cooperation with the Greens is concerned, the free trade agreement between the EU and Canada (CETA) takes center stage.
Green MEPs have presented a motion to the European Parliament calling for the CETA to be examined by judges of the European Court of Justice, as they believe that there is legal uncertainty as to whether the proposed agreement is compatible with certain EU Treaties.
Asked whether the socialists intend to back this challenge, a socialist source said, “We are open to discuss but the group must first debate and decide”.
Commenting on rumors suggesting that Pittella was asked to step down after the defeat, sources made it clear that it was not the case and that no national delegation had raised such an issue.
*Journalist at Euractiv.com
By: N. Peter Kramer
