The position plans of the major political groups show that the next European Commission will face a divided European Parliament to push forward ambitious environmental goals.
after European elections last month, MEPs discuss their policy priorities for the next five years. Draft positions show some groups plan to block new climate policy or weaken existing policies, according to Reuters, which has seen the documents.
Both the centre-right European People’s Party (EPP), the largest group in the European Parliament, and the Socialists and Reformists (S&D), the fourth largest group, want to end the ban on the sale of new fuel cars from 2025.
The Socialist and Reform group will “lobby to overturn the ban”, the group’s position paper said. It is also in line with the Commission’s proposal to reduce carbon emissions by 90% by 2040 compared to 1990 levels.
“Against the backdrop of unprecedented global challenges, rising energy prices and rising carbon prices, we are concerned about the timing of the announcement of this ambitious climate target,” the draft positions
The EPP’s corresponding document does not refer to the 2040 target, saying the group supports current climate targets but calls for a delay in other policies, such as the upcoming import ban on products linked to deforestation.
The People’s Party and the Socialists and Reformists together hold 266 of the 720 seats in the European Parliament.
However, proposals to revise environmental policies may also receive support from the newly formed far-right “Patriots for Europe” alliance, which has 84 seats.
However, the Socialists and Democrats group, the second-largest in Strasbourg with 136 MEPs, opposes weakening the green agenda and wants an ambitious climate target for 2040, the group’s positions show.
The Greens, which have 129 mandates, and the Liberals of the Renewal group also speak from the same position.
“We expect the Commission to commit to the continuation of the Green Deal… without concessions,” Renew’s position paper said.
The party is divided over green policies, creating a headache for Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who next week will try to win the support of a majority of members of the European Parliament and be re-elected for a second term.