ECR group remains united on eurorealism

European Parliament’s ECR The N-VA is a member of the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR), a conservative, eurorealistic parliamentary group in the European Parliament. The N-VA shares their realistic view of the European project and also advocates for the correct and intensive application of the subsidiarity principle. For example, we must not be afraid to ask ourselves if it would be better to leave certain European initiatives to the Member States. The N-VA also identifies with the emphases that the ECR places on the social-economic issues. Since the 2014 elections, the ECR has become the third largest parliamentary group in the European Parliament. ECR group, to which both the N-VA and British Conservatives belong, continues its current efforts and approach in advocating for a powerful story of change for the EU. That’s why it’s voting against a resolution in which the eurotraditional parties plead for a separate budget for the eurozone, a new round of institutional reforms, and a treaty amendment.

“The majority of British voters have chosen to exit the European Union because they do not feel at home in a club that takes a disastrous approach to the asylum crisis, provides insufficient guarantee for our security, and is too far buried beneath red tape and its own regulatory zeal. This discontent is also present in several other European Member States. European Parliament’s ECR group has just reached the exact same conclusion,” the N-VA delegation concludes.

Change on the ground

“The group is convinced that this wake-up call for Europe must be seized as an opportunity to reinforce the might behind our call for a reform of the EU. Hence our focus on the changes that Europeans are right to demand, and not on political games that the traditional European parties wish to play. That is why we vote against the resolution that the four eurotraditional groups propose today.” In it they plead for a separate budget for the eurozone, a new round of institutional reforms and a treaty amendment. “These are not the proposals that concern today’s citizens. In times of crisis, politicians must refrain from being overly preoccupied with themselves, or becoming lost in unwieldy structural discussions, but rather must ensure that change takes place on the ground.”

N-VA retains its own powerful voice

The ECR group is the third largest group in the current European Parliament, following the Christian Democrats and the Socialists. The group now has 74 members with delegations from 18 member states and is currently bigger than when the N-VA entered. “The group is likely to lose some political weight when the Brits leave the EU after the exit negotiations, but whoever thinks our reform plans and our ideas will disappear with the departure of the Brits, is mistaken,” the N-VA states. The N-VA’s position in European Parliament remains unchanged. “Clear agreements have been made within the ECR group. We determine our own voting positions and retain every freedom to defend the Flemish people in the European Parliament. That is and shall always remain the N-VA’s guarantee, both now and in the future: a powerful own voice in Europe. At the same time we continue to cooperate with partners that support our vision of reform. The relationship that we have developed with London until now will also remain very important in the future. The UK is currently the Flanders’ fourth trade partner, representing thousands of jobs. Those jobs must not be jeopardised.”