EU Parliament Votes to Review Far-Right ESN Party Over Values Violations
On July 7, 2026, the European Parliament voted 414-224 to initiate a review procedure against the far-right Europe of Sovereign Nations (ESN) party, which includes Germany’s AfD. Accused of violating EU fundamental values—including racist, homophobic, and antisemitic statements—the ESN could lose up to €2 million in funding and its party status. The vote, supported by centrist and left-wing groups, is a landmark test of new EU regulations. Separately, French far-right leader Marine Le Pen lost her appeal in a separate EU funds misappropriation case.
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EU Parliament Votes to Launch Review Procedure Against Right-Wing ESN Party
The European Parliament has voted in favor of launching a review procedure against the Europe of Sovereign Nations (ESN) party, a right-wing radical party family founded in 2024 and dominated by Germany's AfD. The vote, held on July 7, 2026, in Strasbourg, saw 414 MEPs in favor, 224 against, and 18 abstentions. The procedure was requested by the Left group and supported by centrist parties. The ESN is accused of violating EU fundamental values including democracy, human dignity, and equality. If confirmed, the party could lose its EU party status and access to approximately 2 million euros in funding. The ESN has one month to respond, after which an expert committee will examine the allegations. Final decisions require approval from both the European Parliament and the EU Council of Ministers, meaning no outcome is expected before German state elections in autumn 2026. The party and its parliamentary group are legally separate, so MEPs could continue serving even if the party is penalized.
taz.de - taz.deEU Parliament Votes to Review Far-Right ESN Group; Le Pen Loses Appeal
On 7 July 2026, the European Parliament voted overwhelmingly (414-224) to initiate a review of the far-right Europe of Sovereign Nations (ESN) group for potential violations of EU values, specifically regarding discriminatory language against minorities. The review by the Authority for European Political Parties (APPF) could lead to the loss of approximately €2 million in EU funding for the group, which includes members of Germany's AfD. The vote followed a motion signed by 247 MEPs from left-leaning groups, with support spanning from the centre-right EPP to the Left. Separately, French nationalist leader Marine Le Pen lost her appeal in Paris, upholding her guilty verdict for misappropriation of EU funds. The ESN group has been accused of homophobic, antisemitic, and racist statements on 26 occasions, including chanting 'send them back' after a deportation regulation vote.
EUobserverEU Parliament Votes to Review Far-Right Group Over 'Send Them Back' Chant; Le Pen's Guilty Verdict Upheld
On 7 July 2026, the European Parliament voted overwhelmingly (414-224) to initiate a review of the far-right Europe of Sovereign Nations (ESN) political group for violating core European values, following discriminatory chants of 'send them back' during a deportation vote. The review, led by the Greens/EFA Group, could result in the ESN losing up to €2 million in EU funding. Separately, French far-right leader Marine Le Pen lost her appeal against a guilty verdict for misappropriation of EU funds, marking a significant legal setback. The ESN group, which includes members of Germany's AfD, faces accusations of racist, homophobic, and antisemitic statements on 26 occasions. The vote signals broad cross-party support for accountability, spanning from the centre-right EPP to left-wing groups.
EUobserverEuropean Parliament to Vote on Review Procedure Against Far-Right ESN Party Including AfD
The European Parliament is set to vote on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, on initiating a review procedure against the European party 'Europe of Sovereign Nations' (ESN), which includes Germany's far-right AfD. The procedure, requested by the Left group and supported by centrist parties, accuses ESN of violating EU fundamental values such as human dignity, citing examples from member parties including AfD leader Alice Weidel's statements about 'Muslim children' and Bulgarian party Vazrazhdane's blog posts. If confirmed, ESN could lose its EU funding of around 2 million euros and its status as a recognized EU party, though its parliamentary group would remain unaffected. The vote is considered a formality after reaching the required 247 MEP threshold. AfD MEP Alexander Sell rejected the allegations, calling the move undemocratic. The decision is seen as a landmark test of new EU regulations introduced in late 2025.
taz.de - taz.deEuropean Parliament Votes to Initiate Review Procedure Against Far-Right ESN Party
The European Parliament is set to vote on Tuesday to initiate a review procedure against the European party 'Europe of Sovereign Nations' (ESN), which includes Germany's AfD. The procedure, requested by the Left group and supported by centrist parties, accuses ESN of violating EU fundamental values. If confirmed, the party could lose EU funding of around 2 million euros and its status as a recognized EU party, though its parliamentary group would not be affected. The vote is considered a formality after the necessary threshold of 247 members was reached. The review is based on a new regulation from late 2025 and was triggered by a letter from the Authority for European Political Parties and Foundations (APPF), citing examples including statements by AfD leader Alice Weidel about 'Muslim children' and comments by Bulgarian party Vazrazhdane. ESN rejects the allegations, calling the move undemocratic. The decision is seen as a landmark signal against funding hate speech and racism with EU taxpayers' money.
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