STRASBOURG — Europe’s main political parties have agreed to roll back green rules for businesses after a whirlwind day of political negotiations that nearly collapsed the centrist ruling consensus.
The European People’s Party (EPP) forced the hand of the Socialists & Democrats (S&D) and the liberals of Renew by threatening to abandon the traditional centrist majority and ally with the far right to push through tougher measures if their demands weren’t met.
“It is very clear for all the political groups that the majorities have changed in the Parliament, and all the political groups have to adapt to the new reality,” Jörgen Warborn, lead EPP negotiator on the file, told POLITICO, repeating that if the Socialists and liberals don’t play ball, “then there is also another majority to build with.”
The EPP’s success in getting what they want on paring back green rules shows it has the power to pressure its partners into coughing up major concessions — setting the tone for negotiations on controversial upcoming decisions on the deportations regulation and the 2040 climate neutrality target.
