The open letter calls on von der Leyen to “reject any normalisation, cooperation or alliance with the far right and radical parties” and denounces a physical assault on the German centre-left politician Matthias Ecke. But the European People’s party (EPP), the largest group in the parliament representing conservative-leaning parties throughout Europe, declined. Von der Leyen had frequently ruled out working with the far right, the EPP added. On Wednesday, von der Leyen restated her intention not to work with the far right. But Nancy Faeser, the federal interior minister, has blamed the far right for stoking a climate of violence with hate-filled rhetoric, including on social media.

Source: The Guardian May 09, 2024 05:15 UTC