Those on the left of the political spectrum will be watching with concern as the ECR grows in size. For months, socialists, greens and liberals have been warning the EPP not to formally cooperate with the ECR in seeking a coalition in the new parliament. However, the size of these groups makes them attractive prospects for the EPP in key polls.
The ECR was last seen as the third-largest group in parliament after the 2014 EU elections, when Britain’s Conservatives expanded their power.
The seven political groups in the National Assembly are in turmoil after the June general election, competing to strengthen their ranks and expand their influence by recruiting new lawmakers.
Sandro Gozi, a leading MEP for Renew, downplayed the prospect that an ECR overshadowing Renew could fundamentally change the balance of power in the EU.
“I think the commitment to create a new pro-European majority between the European People’s Party, the Social Democrats and the Renewal Party is very clear,” he said.
A Renew spokeswoman declined to comment.
