Georges-Louis Bouchez Advocates for MR Party's Move to EPP Group

Georges-Louis Bouchez, president of the Belgian liberal party MR, has expressed support for his party leaving the Renew Europe group in the European Parliament to join the European People's Party (EPP). Speaking at a gathering with activists in Somme-Leuze, Bouchez argued that current parliamentary groups lack ideological coherence. He criticized the Renew group for including members he perceives as left-wing, such as Slovak liberals and the Dutch D66, which he compared to Belgian Greens. Conversely, he noted that the MR and the Dutch VVD often align more closely with EPP parties like the French Republicans. Bouchez proposed a broader recomposition of the European Parliament, suggesting that radical EPP factions should merge with far-right groups like the ECR or Patriots, while moderate ECR figures, such as Giorgia Meloni and Bart De Wever, should join the EPP. This statement highlights growing tensions within European liberal alliances and suggests a potential strategic realignment towards the center-right. The article also briefly references ongoing domestic debates regarding wage indexation caps, underscoring Bouchez's active role in both national and European political discourse.