The EU liberals are facing a dilemma as the Dutch VVD party, who recently entered into a coalition with the far-right PVV party, has not been expelled from the group. Despite discussions within Renew Europe about potentially voting to expel the VVD party, no decision has been made yet. Renew Europe is currently in a battle with the far-right ECR group to become the third force in the European Parliament for the next five years. Instead of immediately expelling the VVD party, an observer mission will likely be sent to the Netherlands to ensure that they are not compromising liberal values. The final decision on the next steps will be made at an ALDE council party in Vilnius, Lithuania.
Last November, the Dutch VVD party, led by outgoing Prime Minister Mark Rutte, formed a coalition agreement with the far-right PVV party of Geert Wilders, along with two other parties. This decision came after months of negotiations following a general election in the Netherlands that saw the PVV party receive 23.5% of the vote. Despite concerns raised by Renew Europe president Valérie Hayer about the VVD party distancing itself from the group’s values, no official motion to expel the party has been tabled. Renew Europe does not make drastic decisions like expelling a party without concrete evidence of wrongdoing or an official investigation, according to a party source.
The commitment made by Renew Europe leaders to not cooperate or form coalitions with far-right or radical parties was not consulted within the party before being signed by the group’s president. This commitment has now come under scrutiny as the Dutch VVD party’s decision to form a coalition with the far-right PVV party has raised concerns within the group. Despite the electoral success of the PVV party in the June European Parliament elections, where they won seven seats and joined the far-right Identity and Democracy group, they have been excluded from key positions in the parliament due to a ‘cordon sanitaire’. Negotiations are still ongoing to determine the final composition of the parliamentary groups, with a deadline of 4 July.
The discussions within Renew Europe highlight the internal challenges faced by the group as they navigate the complex political landscape of the European Parliament. The decision on whether to expel the Dutch VVD party from the group will have significant implications for the group’s positioning and alliances within the parliament. With alliances and coalitions playing a crucial role in shaping policy and legislation at the EU level, the outcome of this decision will be closely watched by political observers. The balance of power within the European Parliament may shift as negotiations continue, underscoring the importance of strategic decision-making for Renew Europe and its allies.
