Socialists against new far-right group in EP

There is a new extreme-right group in the European Parliament. The leader of the socialists is seeking to isolate the Identity, Tradition and Sovereignty group, and deny it any influence. Yet the head of the new formation, French National Front leader Bruno Gollnisch, is insisting on its rights. He said: “We are a political group in full keeping with article 29 of the rules and with the treaties.”

Socialist group president Martin Schulz wants the main-stream parties to agree not to give extremist parties any significant positions. He said: “It’s completely unacceptable and we don’t see how old fascists, neo-nazis, racists, anti-semites and xenophobes can represent our European values.”

Groups in the parliament, representing different political interests, control the EU legislature’s agenda, voting pacts, speaking time and seats on powerful parliamentary working committees.

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