European Conservatives and Reformists Group Established in Parliament

Brussels – The European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) Group in the European Parliament has officially formed, with Nicola Procaccini from Italy's Fratelli d’Italia and Joachim Brudziński from Poland's PiS appointed as joint leaders. The group has also elected Assita Kanko (N-VA, Belgium), Hermann Tertsch (Vox, Spain), Alexandr Vondra (ODS, Czech Republic), and Charlie Weimers (Sverigedemokraterna, Sweden) as deputy leaders, while Denis Nesci and Kosma Złotowski have taken on the roles of co-treasurers. The ECR now includes independent Estonian MEP Jaak Madison, increasing its membership to 84. The ECR positions itself as a constructive centre-right force within the European Parliament, advocating for a vision of the European Union that respects the sovereignty of member states and opposes the push for an ever-closer Union. This new alignment has allowed the ECR to surpass the Renew Group, claiming the third position in the Parliament. Procaccini emphasized the group's commitment to representing the interests of European citizens, stating that the recent European elections reflected a desire for a Union that aligns with its original principles. He highlighted the importance of traditional values, including the family unit, and the historical foundations of Europe rooted in Hellenistic, Roman, and Christian traditions. Brudziński reinforced the group's dedication to respecting all member states, asserting that their conservative values will guide their actions in Brussels. He expressed confidence in the ECR's ability to be a persuasive voice in the European Parliament, advocating for the interests of both large and small nations.