PPE leader warns against alliances with far-right figures, stresses EU unity
Manfred Weber, head of the European People’s Party, said cooperating with Vannacci and the AfD would undermine European solidarity and Ukraine support.
Manfred Weber convened European centre-right leaders in Taormina to discuss the party’s strategy ahead of the 2029 European elections. He warned that any partnership with Vannacci or the German AfD would clash with the PPE’s pro-EU, pro-Ukraine and rule-of-law stance. Weber pointed to recent achievements such as reduced migration flows, a competitiveness agenda, and progress on trade deals, while noting the importance of tackling high energy prices for voters.
He criticized far-right parties for aligning with leaders like Trump and Putin, whom he blamed for rising energy costs. Weber reaffirmed the PPE’s commitment to support farmers, cohesion funds and defence spending, urging member states to view EU investments as mutually beneficial.
Why it matters
The stance shapes centre-right cooperation in the EU and influences future policy on Ukraine and European integration.
How this story developed
- Sep 23 Heidenau city council will vote on a motion, supported by CDU and AfD members, to reject two proposed Stolpersteine for Fritz and Martha Goldstein and instead favor a collective memorial at the Nordfriedhof.
- Sep 24 Merz faces mounting pressure after the regional setbacks.
- Sep 24 The Israeli ambassador warned of an “immediate existential threat” to Berlin’s Jewish community over alleged antisemitism in the party.
- Sep 24 The Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance pledged support for the AfD’s speaker nominee, creating a parliamentary majority for the AfD in Saxony‑Anhalt.
- Sep 27 The council has scheduled a vote on the proposed ban.
- Sep 27 SPD and Greens issued a joint warning demanding Die Linke reject antisemitism and clan crime before coalition talks proceed.
- Sep 29 AfD parliamentary group chair Ulrich Siegmund said he will stand for the Minister-President post in the Saxony-Anhalt state parliament in December.
- Oct 3 Historian Brendan Simms warned that the return of great‑power competition is reshaping security and challenging Swiss defence.
- Oct 3 Tobias Rausch was elected speaker of the Landtag.
- Oct 3 AfD now ahead of the Union in the latest INSA Sunday poll, widening the gap.
- Oct 5 The council moved from debating the proposal to formally approving the resolution that declines new Stolpersteine applications.
- Oct 7 A secret ballot produced undisclosed extra votes, prompting CDU leaders to demand an investigation.
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