EU Parliament votes in favour of proceedings against AfD party family

ORF NewsState / PublicCenter21 hr. ago

The European Parliament has approved a procedure to investigate the right-populist party family 'Europe of Sovereign Nations' (ESN), which includes Germany's Alternative for Germany (AfD). The oversight body will examine whether ESN has violated EU core values. A majority of 414 members voted in favor, while 224 opposed and 18 abstained. If violations are found, ESN could lose its status as a European political party and thus access to EU funding. ESN was founded in 2024 by the AfD and includes other nationalist parties such as France's Reconquete, Poland's New Hope, and Bulgaria's pro-Russian 'Wiedergeburt'. These umbrella organizations operate independently of parliamentary groups and receive EU subsidies, with ESN expected to receive up to two million euros in 2026.

Bias read (Center): The article presents the procedural decision made by the European Parliament in a neutral manner, focusing on the formal process and potential consequences without overtly favoring any side. It provides factual information about the ESN party family, its composition, and the implications of the vote

KurierParty-alignedCenter21 hr. ago

The European Parliament has initiated a review process against the European Party Family 'Europe Sovereign Nations' (ESN), which includes the German Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, due to alleged violations of EU values. The decision was made by a majority of MEPs in Strasbourg, and the case now falls under the supervision of the European Union's party oversight body, the APPF. The review could result in the ESN losing EU funding for election campaigns or party conferences, currently capped at around two million euros annually. The review focuses on whether ESN members adhere to EU principles such as human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law, and minority protection. The APPF submitted a more than 250-page dossier to the European Parliament, the European Commission, and the Council of Member States, citing a February ruling by the Cologne Administrative Court that noted while the AfD cannot yet be fully classified as right-wing extremist, it exhibits tendencies contrary to democratic order. The dossier lists derogatory remarks by AfD politicians about migrants and other groups. It also references online posts by ESN politicians in other countries expressing敌

Bias read (Center): The article presents the situation objectively, detailing both the allegations against the ESN and their denial of wrongdoing. It provides background on the EU's requirements for party funding and outlines the procedural steps of the review process without overtly favoring either side.