The Digester

EPP anniversary overshadowed by reports of cooperation with far right in European Parliament

Mar 19th 2026

A WhatsApp chat reported by DPA has cast a shadow over the European People’s Party 50th anniversary, prompting internal alarm, public rebukes from German CDU leader Friedrich Merz, and renewed debate about the party’s cooperation with far-right groups in the European Parliament.

  • A DPA report says a WhatsApp group showed staff-level coordination between EPP members and far-right groups, including Alternative for Germany, on a migration bill.
  • The revelation prompted alarm inside the EPP and public condemnation from German CDU leader Friedrich Merz.
  • EPP president Manfred Weber publicly reaffirmed a firewall against far-right cooperation while relations with Merz appeared strained.
  • Voting records show the EPP still usually backs centrist allies but has sided with far-right groups on migration and some environmental rollbacks.
  • The incident raises questions about future coalition building and forces EPP members to choose whether to rebuild the firewall or accept closer ties with nationalist forces.

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