The ECR group of basic Finns overtook the liberal group in the distribution of seats in the parliament. It could mean difficult moments for Ursula von der Leyen, who is seeking to continue as head of the Commission.
The far-right, conservative ECR group becomes the third largest group in the European Parliament.
This means that the ECR managed to drive a wedge into the top three that have ruled the European Parliament for the past ten years. From Finland, the ECR group includes basic Finns.
Only the center-right EPP and the social democratic S&D are bigger than the ECR group.
The liberal group Renew, which previously held third place in the European Parliament, is falling behind ECR by nine seats.
The liberal group is among the losers of the European elections. The last nail came in Midsummer, when the Czech populist Andrej Babiš announced suddenly withdrawing seven members from the Renew group.
Historical change
ECR’s rise is historic in the sense that during Finland’s EU membership, only once before has a group other than EPP, S&D and the Liberals been in the top three. In 2014, it was the ECR group that came third.
– This in itself is not surprising. The rise of the ECR was quite expected, considering how many parties that previously did not belong to any political group entered parliament, says the professor Johanna Kantola From the Center for European Studies.
According to Kantola, it is still too early to say what significance the rise of the ECR has from the point of view of the EU Parliament’s work and the policies it makes.
– A lot depends on what kind of tasks the group gets and what kind of people it presents to them.
The ECR includes, among others, the conservative Law and Justice party, which previously ruled Poland with a monopoly, and the far-right Spanish Vox.
For example, many MEPs would not like to see members of these parties in leadership positions in the parliament, but it is not impossible.
The far right can get several leadership positions
ECR is probably getting a lot more different leadership positions compared to the last election period. At that time, the group had the position of one committee chairman and one deputy chairman.
According to ‘s information, we can now talk about the positions of up to five committee chairmen and two or three vice-chairmen.
It is possible to use a lot of power in these positions. A significant part of the legislative work is carried out in the parliamentary committees.
The rise of the ECR was fueled by the Italian Prime Minister by Giorgia Meloni Tremendous electoral success of the Italian Brothers party. The party received almost 30 percent support in Italy. This gives Melon an excellent negotiating position in the EU Parliament.
The first test of the election of the Commission’s chairman
The power relations of the new parliament, which will start its work in July, seem to be on the whole in a precarious state.
The three largest pro-EU groups can still form a majority if they wish. However, a possible majority consisting of 399 MEPs would be meager, considering that someone from the group usually wins the vote.
The European Parliament does not have the same group discipline as, say, the Finnish Parliament.
This adds Ursula von der Leyen excitement as he seeks another term at the helm of the commission.
He needs 361 votes from the 720-seat parliament to be elected. The EPP, S&D and Renew are expected to support him, but not in full.
Then the importance of the support of other groups and especially of ECR is emphasized, but it does not come for free.
Professor at the European University Simon Hix estimated on Monday to the Politico magazine that the heavy portfolio of the commissioner could lead Meloni to organize 24 MPs of the Italian brothers behind von der Leyen.