Manfred Weber: AfD is 'absolutely toxic party' - EPP rejects far-right AfD alliance despite occasional vote overlaps
EPP chairman Manfred Weber has firmly denied any structured collaboration with the far-right AfD in the European Parliament. While admitting occasional alignment on specific votes, he insisted no formal partnership exists between the two groups. Weber also criticised the AfD, calling it a 'toxic party' with values fundamentally opposed to his own vision for Europe.
Weber addressed recent claims about cooperation during a press briefing. He stressed that migration remains a central issue for European voters but rejected accusations that the EPP had shifted its policies to match AfD demands. Instead, he reaffirmed his commitment to a 'strong, defensible Europe' with controlled borders and efficient asylum procedures.
Public records show isolated cases where EPP and AfD MEPs voted the same way. In 2023, some EPP members supported AfD-backed amendments to the New Pact on Migration and Asylum. A year later, a few EPP representatives opposed parts of the Green Deal alongside AfD lawmakers. However, no official joint initiatives or coordinated strategies have been documented in European Parliament reports. Weber questioned the motives of AfD supporters, arguing their views undermine European unity. He called for stricter border controls, including faster returns for rejected asylum seekers. Despite these shared concerns, he maintained that the EPP's approach differs fundamentally from the AfD's, both in policy and principle.
The EPP continues to distance itself from the AfD, despite occasional overlaps in voting behaviour. Weber's statements confirm no formal ties exist, while parliamentary records show only limited, issue-specific alignment. The debate highlights ongoing divisions over migration policy within the European Parliament.
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