Patriots for Europe Lead EU Climate Talks

The far-right Patriots for Europe group, criticized for its climate skepticism, has been appointed to lead negotiations in the European Parliament on the EU’s 2040 climate target for a 90% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. The group secured the influential rapporteur role through a point-based allocation system after a failed attempt by other lawmakers to remove them, hindered by insufficient support from the center-right European People’s Party. As the third-largest group in Parliament, the Patriots will draft the initial parliamentary position for talks with EU member states. Their leadership has raised alarms among pro-European and green lawmakers, who are seeking ways to counter their influence. While other parliamentary groups retain power to amend or reject the Patriots’ proposals, the appointment is expected to complicate and potentially delay legislative progress on climate goals. The move comes as some governments question the costs of ambitious EU climate policies, risking further contention ahead of major international climate negotiations.