The Volt delegation in the European Parliament criticises the now-exposed cooperation between the European People’s Party and far-right groups and calls for consequences. Over the weekend, the German press agency (dpa) first reported on secret chat groups in which CDU and AfD members of parliament had coordinated ahead of votes. For MEP Kai Tegethoff, this is clear proof that the political cordon sanitaire in European politics has long since collapsed. And Volt co-founder and delegation leader Damian Boeselager is issuing an ultimatum to Manfred Weber (CSU).
Kai Tegethoff:
“These revelations are a new low — but not a big surprise. Since the beginning of the mandate, we have seen in Brussels that Christian Democrats and far-right parties cooperate in votes and, contrary to all assurances, use their majority together. This runs through all policy areas — from rolling back climate targets to tightening asylum policy and even to aggressive deportation methods.”
“What is new is the hard evidence. It is now clear that this can no longer be dismissed as coincidence or a mistake. The cooperation is systematic. The firewall has not existed for a long time. And the federal party must finally take responsibility for this. Because one thing is clear: if Manfred Weber is pursuing this course with his Christian Democrats, then Friedrich Merz has either approved it — or he no longer has control over his own party.”
Damian Boeselager:
“It is disgraceful how these chat groups are now being pinned on individual members who supposedly acted on their own. First, the behaviour of the Christian Democrats has long told a different story. And second, everyone in Brussels knows: nothing happens in his group without Manfred Weber’s blessing. That is now coming back to haunt him — he is under pressure to act. The Christian Democrats can no longer secretly cut deals with the AfD; they have been exposed.”
“Weber must now show his true colours. He faces an ultimatum with exactly two options: either he ends cooperation with the far right and ensures that his group does not support the new deportation centres next week. Or he admits that the firewall is history and openly commits to cooperation with the AfD — with all the consequences. Because then the CDU can no longer claim that it is not flirting with the far right. I very much hope the party finally rediscovers its democratic compass — now is the time for a full and honest admission.”