ECR: 'We hope we are proved wrong about Juncker'

The European Conservatives and Reformists Group in the European Parliament held an exchange of views with Jean Claude Juncker on 8 July. Speaking after the meeting, ECR Chairman Syed Kamall said: "The group held a good discussion with Juncker and there were many areas where we believe we can work with him if he is confirmed. 

"If he seeks to deliver on priorities such as developing a digital single market, pursuing more open trade and promoting energy security, then he will have our support in this work.  However, we cannot subscribe to the process that brought Juncker to this point. We believe it represents a shift of power away from the member states and towards the parliament, and that there is a false linkage between people voting primarily for national parties, and the candidates that pan-European parties put forward for the commission presidency.  Despite a number of areas of policy convergence we felt that overall we share different views on the future direction of the EU. We hope that we are proved wrong but based on the process and this exchange of views, we cannot support Juncker next week."

Share this article: