A new start in Europe

Centre and Centre-Right MEPs from eight different EU countries have announced the formation of a new ‘European Conservatives and Reformists Group’ in the European Parliament.

These participants, totalling 55 MEPs, have formed the initial ‘core’ of the group, which is likely to be the fourth largest group in the new Parliament. However, negotiations are still continuing and it is hoped that other EU parties and MEPs may be attracted to the group by the time that the new European Parliament convenes in Strasbourg, on 14 July. The parties, from across the EU, which now comprise the core of the new European Conservatives and Reformists Group, are:


Belgium: Lijst Dedecker (LDD), with 1 MEP in the New Group

Czech Republic: Civic Democratic Party (ODS), with 9 MEPs

Finland: The Centre Party (Keskusta) sits in the Liberal
(ALDE) group but one of its MEPs is now joining the New
Group.

Hungary: Hungarian Democratic Forum (MDF) with 1 MEP


Latvia: Latvian National Independence Movement (TB/LNNK) with 1 MEP

The Netherlands: ChristianUnion (ChristenUnie) with 1 MEP

Poland: Law & Justice (PiS) with 15 MEPs

United Kingdom: The Conservative Party, with 26 MEPs in the New Group.


All of the parties have signed up to a declaration, originally negotiated in Prague, which sets out the aims and values of the new grouping. A copy of the Prague Declaration, which argues for reform and a non-federalist future for the EU, is attached for reference. Commenting on the establishment of the new European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) Group, Shadow Europe Minister Mark Francois said:

“We are very excited about this important new development in European politics. Our European Conservatives and Reformists Group, which already has fifty-five MEPs, will make a strong case for a centre/centre-right but non-federalist future for the EU. We already have participants from eight countries but talks are still continuing and we believe that more will be attracted to join our ranks in the near future.”

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