As left-wing MEPs failed to secure a majority in yesterday’s EU trilogue, they deliberately caused the collapse of the entire vote. As a result, a proposed EU law to protect victims of sexual violence could not be adopted.
ESN Group MEP Irmhild Boßdorf commented:
“What happened in yesterday’s trilogue is a political scandal. Because the Left failed to win a majority for its so-called ‘right to abortion’ and couldn't force it into a central EU law, they simply let the entire vote collapse. The outcome? No EU-wide protection for victims of sexual violence!
Even the often hesitant EPP took a stand for national sovereignty. But instead of accepting the democratic majority, left-wing parties simply walked away from the negotiations. And the ones who suffer? Women in urgent need of protection from sexual violence.
Leftist parties in the European Parliament are not interested in protecting victims of sexual violence. They merely instrumentalize them to push their society-dismantling ideologies—such as the so-called ‘right to abortion’—onto sovereign states through the back door. And the EU administration? Not only does it stand idly by, it actively enables this undemocratic and morally reprehensible spectacle. A disgrace to politics.”
A cross-party alliance of Members of the European Parliament has gathered the required number of signatures to table a motion of censure against the European Commission under Article 234 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and Rule 131 of Parliament’s Rules of Procedure. The initiative is not aimed at individual Commissioners; rather, it targets serious failings in transparency and budgetary oversight — in particular the violations found by the Court of Justice of the European Union regarding the Commission’s refusal to disclose text messages between President Ursula von der Leyen and Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla.
The motion will be formally submitted to Parliament’s Bureau so that it can be placed on the agenda of the next Conference of Presidents on Wednesday, 2 July. The ESN Group actively supported the signature drive, contributing decisively to the effort’s success.
René Aust, MEP and Chair of the ESN Group, declared:
“The Court of Justice of the European Union has determined that the Commission unlawfully concealed vital information. Taxpayers’ money is being used in an arbitrary, unlawful and reportedly corrupt manner. By backing this motion of censure we are making it clear: no one is above the law. It is time to send Mrs von der Leyen into an undeserved retirement — so that she can attend to her court cases.”
After the recent amendment to Hungary’s constitution—which includes a ban on public Pride events—European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen yesterday admonished Hungary to uphold fundamental rights and demanded that the planned Pride parade go ahead this Saturday in Budapest. Mary Khan, MEP for the ESN Group and full member of the LIBE Committee, comments:
“Once again the European Commission oversteps its remit and interferes in domestic affairs—an egregious violation of the sovereignty of a democratically legitimate Member State. Prime Minister Orbán’s unequivocal reply—that decisions about Hungary’s streets are not made in Brussels—deserves not only recognition but broad European backing. More leaders must firmly resist the escalating moral pressure and ideological power-grabs of the EU elites.
The supposed fight for tolerance has long been misused as a weapon against conservative values, religious identity and cultural self-determination. Anyone who refuses to submit to this woke doctrine is—just as we see here—publicly pilloried. This is an alarming indicator of the state of European democracy.
Equally unacceptable is the behaviour of several German MPs who have already announced their intention to take part in the banned Pride parade. Their deliberate disregard for Hungarian law is not only presumptuous; it also harms our country’s international reputation. While they call on others to join, these same actors ultimately hide behind the protection of their parliamentary immunity—a privilege certainly not meant for breaking laws abroad or staging political provocations on foreign soil.
The moral pose of those MPs—now styling themselves as defenders of freedom—is downright grotesque, for they belong to parties that in recent years have vigorously promoted mass immigration from predominantly Islamic countries, thereby endangering exactly those freedoms they hypocritically claim to defend today in Budapest.”
Today, the Petitions Committee adopted the "Resolution on preserving the memory of the victims of the post-war communist period in Slovenia" with the votes of the ESN, PfE, ECR, and EPP. 17 MEPs voted in favor and 1 against. MEPs from the Left, Socialists, the Greens and the Liberals left the chamber immediately before the vote, sensing their impending defeat.
Marcin Sypniewski, ESN coordinator in the Petitions Committee stated:
"The fact that the left-wingers left the room shortly before the vote testifies to their lack of understanding of democracy. We as ESN have never left the chamber and always vote in the interests of the citizens, even if defeats are foreseeable. We represent the citizens. The left obviously do not.
The Resolution is in line with the values of the ESN group regarding the preservation of historical memory and the disclosure of all totalitarian crimes and was prompted by the scandalous decisions of the current Left-Green-Liberal Slovenian government and their majority in parliament. As stated in the Resolution, the Slovenian Government Commission on Concealed Mass Graves has identified over 750 locations of hidden gravesites, revealing a systematic effort to conceal these crimes, yet the places of execution have not been located and the victims have not been properly buried. More than 100,000 Slovenian residents who resisted the communist system and its ideological repression were victims of violence in various forms. These acts constituted serious violations of fundamental human rights, including the right to life, a fair trial and a decent burial.
With this resolution, ESN proposes restoring the aforementioned day, banning communist symbols as well, opening secret archives, and properly honoring communist victims as well!"
The ESN Group in the EU Parliament will continue to make policy in the interests of its voters. The victims of all totalitarian regimes require remembrance and commemoration! History must be scientific! Abuse of history such as the abolition of memorial days, closed archives and the suppression of historical facts due to current political goals is a disgrace to the victims!
With an important vote today, the European Parliament’s Committee on the Environment sent a clear signal for greater fairness in European agricultural subsidies: an amendment to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), tabled by MEPs Anja Arndt and Dr Marc Jongen, was approved by 45 votes in favour, 39 against and one abstention.
The amendment seeks to end the current practice of linking most direct payments to the area farmed—a system that systematically favours large agribusinesses and disadvantages small and medium-sized farms. MEP Anja Arndt (ESN Group) explained:
“We want a fairer allocation of funds that specifically strengthens food security, regional diversity and ecological sustainability in European agriculture. The figures speak for themselves. With our amendment, we are laying the foundation to halt the ongoing loss of family farms. It’s high time to support those who work in harmony with people, animals and nature—rather than large landowners who benefit from an imbalanced subsidy regime.”
Dr Marc Jongen, also of the ESN Group, added:
“This decision is a milestone for our farmers, who are not all large landowners. We need an agricultural policy that rewards performance and responsibility—not merely the size of the holding. Our amendment brings more fairness into the funding system.”
Today’s adoption of the amendment sends a strong signal to the Commission and the Member States: redistributing funds toward the true performers in agriculture is both possible—and urgently necessary
The Federal Administrative Court in Leipzig today rescinded the ban on the association Compact-Magazin GmbH that the Federal Ministry of the Interior had imposed in July 2024 on the grounds of allegedly anti-constitutional objectives. ESN Group MEP and full member of the LIBE Committee, Mary Khan, commented:
“Constructing supposed anti-constitutional activities against a journalistic outlet that—regardless of its editorial stance—acts within the constitutionally protected freedom of expression crossed a legal line that should never be crossed in a Western democracy. This political instrumentalisation of state institutions, initiated by former Interior Minister Nancy Faeser to discipline non-left-wing media actors, has therefore been rightly and unequivocally rejected by the Federal Administrative Court today.
Especially at the European level, where efforts to curb so-called disinformation and control alternative media are gaining traction, this ruling also carries international weight. It strengthens the forces in the European Parliament that vigorously oppose the expansion of a centralised censorship and surveillance structure. Diversity of opinion is not a risk to be managed but the foundation of every functioning democracy. Today’s decision should send a clear signal to Brussels that censorship and media regulation must not become vehicles for ideological conformity.”
Petr Bystron, organiser of the “Conference of Free Media in the Bundestag” and fellow ESN Group MEP, added:
“It ought to be self-evident that media outlets are not banned in Germany. Freedom of expression and freedom of the press are constitutionally protected. The raids on Compact’s editorial offices and former Interior Minister Nancy Faeser’s attempt to ban the outlet marked an inglorious low point in the abuse of state institutions to suppress the opposition in Germany.
It is now time to address this abuse and the injustice inflicted on the victims: Faeser and her accomplices must be held accountable for abuse of office and for undermining the state—using every legal means available.”
With a new legislative proposal, the European Commission plans to make money from the “Digital Europe” and “Horizon Europe” programmes, as well as from infrastructure and cohesion funds, available for defence projects in the future. The initiative is part of the “ReArm Europe” package, which aims to expand defence spending across Europe. In total, up to €10 billion in direct EU budget funds could flow into the arms industry by 2027. Markus Buchheit, an MEP from the ESN group, comments:
“With this proposal the Commission crosses a red line: for the first time, clearly civilian research and innovation programmes are being turned into a piggy-back vehicle for rearmament. When they say ‘synergies’, they really mean cross-subsidising drones, AI weapons systems and military infrastructure—paid for with taxpayers’ money that was actually intended for digitalisation, education and sustainable development. This effectively abolishes the principle that EU funds should not flow into military hardware.
We are not talking about small change here, but about a ReArm Europe package worth up to €800 billion, flanked by further billions from digital and structural programmes. That means less money for small and medium-sized enterprises, for research into energy sources, for citizens’ digital inclusion—and instead a gigantic subsidy for the arms industry. With this, the EU loses the last shred of its moral credibility.
In general, defence must remain a core element of national sovereignty and the responsibility of the individual Member States. This plan also shows what ambitions the EU is really pursuing: the European super-state!
We will not go along with this. We demand a legally binding separation of civilian and military funds, full transparency for every euro, and democratic control by the Parliament. Europe’s future must be built on peace, innovation and prosperity, not on militarisation!”
Commenting on the report by the EU Special Envoy for Human Rights, Olof Skoog, Alexander Sell, a Member of the European Parliament from the ESN group, said:
“With his report on Israel, the EU Special Envoy for Human Rights demonstrates just how superfluous the entire system of EU envoys really is. While elections are being overturned in Europe and parties are threatened with bans, the Special Envoy is busy worrying about human-rights compliance in the Middle East.
At the same time, the von der Leyen Commission is sending hundreds of millions of euros in taxpayers’ money to Hamas-controlled authorities in Gaza or to the Islamist regime in Syria. The post of EU Special Envoy should be abolished, and the European Commission ought to represent Europeans’ interests instead of acting as a moral teacher to the world.”
Today in Strasbourg, the European Parliament will vote on the report “Electricity Grids: The Backbone of the EU Energy System.” The draft calls for more than two trillion euro in investments in Europe’s power grids by 2050, proposes stronger centralisation of grid planning at EU level and introduces new rules on grid integration. Markus Buchheit, MEP for the ESN Group, comments:
“What is being sold here as a vision of the future turns out to be a gigantic subsidy- and bureaucracy-monster. The bill ends up with families, craftspeople and industry, while Brussels offers no guarantee of security of supply, stable prices or genuine technological openness. By 2030 alone, 584 billion euro are to be spent—a self-service buffet for lobby groups, paid for by electricity customers and small businesses.
With the planned EU-wide steering, the Commission ignores the very different starting situations in the Member States. Anyone who plans grids detached from reality creates new dependencies on volatile generation, forces energy-intensive companies to relocate and drives prices even higher. Instead of allowing truly technology-neutral competition, the next green panacea is being imposed—accompanied by mountains of reporting obligations.
After the recent large-scale blackout on the Iberian Peninsula, it should be obvious to everyone that security of supply and economic prudence must take priority. Yet instead of learning lessons, Brussels is opting for even more regulations, centralism and wishful thinking. We categorically reject this report—in the interest of citizens, Europe’s industrial future and the sovereignty of the Member States.”
The ESN succeeded today in blocking billions in payments to corrupt developing countries and bringing down the so-called Seville Report in the European Parliament.
The text—formally titled “Report on Development Financing – Ahead of the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development in Seville”—had called, among other things, for unconditional debt relief for developing countries. It also advocated higher development aid contributions by EU member states, global wealth taxes, and transfer payments to mitigate climate change in nations of the southern hemisphere. Most of these costs would have fallen on European—and therefore especially German—taxpayers. The report failed to pass: the Europe of Sovereign Nations (ESN) group voted against it together with other center-right groups; in total, a majority of 340 MEPs rejected the Seville Report.
AfD MEPs Dr. Marc Jongen and Tomasz Froelich also introduced a counter-resolution that would make readmission agreements with migrants’ countries of origin a precondition for any further development funds. Their motion received 120 votes in the plenary.
Marc Jongen, ESN coordinator on the Development Committee and shadow rapporteur for the Seville Report, explained:
“The AfD’s votes make the difference! Only through our efforts was there a majority against the Seville Report, preventing further burdens on German citizens. At the same time, a clear signal is being sent: development policy must come with give-and-take. Without the readmission of migrants, no more billions should flow from Europe to Third-World countries.”
Tomasz Froelich, co-initiator of the counter-resolution, added:
“Since 1980, roughly two trillion dollars in development funds have been paid to sub-Saharan Africa, a substantial share of which is embezzled and disappears into tax havens. In light of Africa’s population explosion and our strained economic situation, the time is ripe for a paradigm shift. Sweden and the USA show that it can be done differently—the EU must follow their example.”
This week, delegates from 130 countries are gathering in Nice for the third UN Ocean Conference to advance the implementation of UN Sustainable Development Goal 14 – the protection and sustainable use of the oceans, seas, and marine resources. However, compromises between competing interests – offshore wind energy, marine ecology, deep-sea mining, and the fishing industry – threaten to significantly undermine the effectiveness of potential solutions.
At the EU level, the prevailing climate crisis ideology ensures generous funding for projects such as offshore wind farms – often an unreliable source of fluctuating electricity – while sensible initiatives like ballast water management systems to combat invasive species are financially neglected. Furthermore, the voluntary nature of many commitments leads in practice to weak enforcement and political arbitrariness.
Siegbert Droese, ESN coordinator in the European Parliament’s Fisheries Committee (PECH), commented on UNOC3:
“This week’s UN Ocean Conference in Nice is expected to produce the so-called Nice Action Plan for the Oceans. Once again, we anticipate the usual announcements of ‘sustainability initiatives’ by governments and corporations – measures that are often little more than PR stunts, neither effectively monitored nor enforced.
Rather than superficially addressing all of the world’s marine problems while solving none, the conference should focus on the greatest threat to both marine ecology and the livelihood of small-scale fisheries: illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.
Yet greenwashing schemes such as so-called Blue Carbon Markets and taxpayer-funded offshore wind farms appear to be more profitable. This imbalance fails to reflect the true value and importance of the oceans as our planet’s most vital resource.”
Today marked the conclusion of our external ESN group retreat in Bratislava.
Three intensive and inspiring days – including official receptions with the Slovak Minister of Culture, the Deputy Prime Minister, and the President of the national council.
We could feel the historical depth of Slovakia’s patriotic spirit. Perhaps it stems from the country’s eventful past: over the centuries, its lands were occupied by various foreign powers – and yet none succeeded in stripping the Slovak people of their homeland or their cultural identity.
Today, the Slovak nation stands proud, vibrant, and deeply rooted in its traditions – as it always has.
Slovakia can serve as a role model for us.
Together with Hungary, it represents a bastion of common sense – in a European Union where irrationality increasingly seems to carry the force of law.
We express our sincere thanks for the generous hospitality – and hope that Germany, too, will soon join the “Club of the Reasonable” within the EU.
For a politics rooted in the interests of one’s own people, yet always open to cooperation with neighbouring European nations – and for a Europe of fatherlands worthy of that name.
This week, Germany’s public children’s channel KiKA began airing a five-part series titled “Klimagefühle” (“Climate Emotions”). According to the broadcaster, the program aims to help children better understand emotions such as climate anxiety, anger, and guilt. The series was developed with the consultation of psychologist Katharina van Bronswijk from Psychologists for Future. The first episode aired on June 10 during the early evening slot.
Anja Arndt, Member of the European Parliament for the ESN Group, issued the following statement:
“This series deliberately instills fear in children’s bedrooms. This is not education – it is emotional manipulation, financed by mandatory broadcasting fees. Children don’t need panic; they need confidence in life!
According to the Barmer Doctor Report 2024, more and more children and adolescents are showing psychological abnormalities, including an increase in climate-related anxiety disorders. Children aged 11 to 17 are particularly affected. The report indicates that ‘disaster-oriented media content’ can intensify this development.
Children need emotional security – not daily apocalyptic scenarios in children’s programming!
A shocking extreme case illustrates the danger: In April 2025, a 16-year-old carried out an attack on a Catholic high school in Nantes, motivated by his ‘fear of ecocide.’
What might appear to be an isolated incident may in fact be the result of years of relentless climate panic indoctrination through media content.”
Therefore, we as AfD/ESN demand:
The immediate review and cancellation of the “Klimagefühle” series
A clear separation between educational content and political activism in ARD and ZDF programming
The creation of a child protection oversight body for public broadcasting content
“We reject this state-sponsored climate panic being brought into our children’s rooms.
ARD and ZDF have long betrayed their educational mandate – they must be reformed or dismantled.”
An investigative report by WELT (June 6) has revealed: The EU Commission used taxpayer money to fund environmental organizations that, under secret agreements, launched campaigns in support of Ursula von der Leyen’s Green Deal – targeting German companies.
ESN MEP Christine Anderson commented:
“This is an unprecedented case of political interference and economic damage by Brussels – yet another link in a chain of unlawful meddling by the EU in the political opinion-forming process of its Member States. It is profoundly undemocratic for the EU to misuse taxpayers’ money to align public opinion in the Member States with its own agenda.
Weeks ago, we requested that the issue of EU interference be placed on the agenda of the Special Committee on the European Democracy Shield (EUDS). That request was rejected this week by the committee coordinators.
Even more shocking: the EPP Group, along with the Greens, voted against our motion. Instead of addressing institutional abuse of power within the EU, the committee majority decided to focus on the so-called ‘democracy-threatening manosphere’.
When Brussels uses public money to finance ideological campaigns and deliberately harm national companies, it constitutes a direct attack on democracy, transparency, and economic sovereignty. The EUDS Committee’s silence, and the Christian Democrats’ ongoing refusal to address this interference, is a disgrace.”
We therefore demand:
Full disclosure of all EU Commission payments to politically active NGOs
An immediate end to the use of public funds for indirect opinion manipulation
A debate on this matter in the plenary and the EUDS Committee
Those who speak of ‘protecting democracy’ must not look away when the EU itself becomes a partisan actor – against citizens, businesses, and Member States.”
In an interview with the Donaukurier, Bernd Posselt, chairman of the Sudeten German Landsmannschaft, reaffirmed that the AfD is subject to a “ban” within the organization. Commenting on this, Petr Bystron, MEP of the ESN Group, stated:
“Bernd Posselt is merely trying to secure his own position within the Sudeten German Landsmannschaft by demonstratively excluding the AfD. He — just like the entire CDU — has long since abandoned the interests of the Sudeten Germans.
Today, the AfD is the only political force that credibly advocates for the concerns of the displaced, as the former president of the Federation of Expellees, Erika Steinbach, has repeatedly confirmed.
Posselt is attempting to co-opt the leadership of the Sudeten German Landsmannschaft for the CSU. He fears being replaced by AfD politicians because the members clearly recognize that we represent their interests better than the CSU.
Thus, excluding the AfD is the only way for Posselt to maintain his position in the organization. Otherwise, he would be voted out here just as he was voted out of the European Parliament.
This is further confirmed by the timing of the first ‘ban’ — it was imposed ten years ago, immediately after Posselt lost his seat in the European Parliament due to the rise of the AfD.”
On June 5, 2025, the EU transport ministers in Luxembourg endorsed a reform of air passenger rights: compensation will only be due after 5, 9, or 12 hours of delay, instead of after three hours as before. Consumer advocates such as the ADAC warn that around 85 percent of the compensation payments made so far would thus be eliminated. The package can only come into force after approval by the European Parliament.
Commenting on this, Siegbert Droese, MEP of the ESN Group, stated:
“Once again, the EU is leaving its citizens out in the rain. While airlines are relieved of 85 percent of compensation payments, travelers and businesses are being burdened with ever-increasing levies. In Germany alone, the rise in aviation taxes and other fees will amount to an additional 1.2 billion euros in 2025 — overall, state-imposed levies now add about 30 euros per ticket, with taxes reaching up to 70.83 euros for a single long-haul flight.
But that’s not all: our airlines are already paying around 70 euros per ton of CO₂ in the European Emissions Trading System — and from 2026, all free allowances will be phased out. Ultimately, it is families and commuters who foot the bill for this green ideology.
The EU is hitting travelers twice: slashing consumer compensation and making flying more expensive with ever new charges — clearly because this mode of transport does not fit their climate dogma.
As the AfD delegation, we will fight in the European Parliament to ensure that the current level of protection remains intact, that ticket taxes are reduced, and that unilateral green burdens are abolished. Those who destroy mobility destroy freedom and prosperity — and we will not accept that.”
Today, the European Commission presented its “Clean Industrial Deal.” The package of measures aims to make decarbonization and climate protection the driving forces behind the growth of European industry. It includes plans for lower energy prices, the creation of high-quality jobs, and improved business conditions.
Commenting on this, Markus Buchheit, MEP of the ESN Group, stated:
“What is being marketed as a Clean Deal is merely yet another attack on our industry. The Commission simply ignores the different site costs across the EU, the lack of energy security—especially in Germany—and the resulting loss of competitiveness for member states.
The endorsement of central climate goals and a CO₂-neutral industry reveals a complete denial of industrial policy realities: an EU-wide steering of ‘green’ industrial policy will only lead to severe competitive disadvantages compared to the USA and China—not to a 90% CO₂ reduction by 2040 or to a million new jobs. Terms like bureaucracy reduction and national flexibility are nothing but empty phrases in the Commission’s jargon.
Without affordable energy prices and sovereign economic strategies by the member states, there will be no globally competitive industrial production in Europe. Green Deal, Clean Deal—it doesn’t matter what these bureaucratic monstrosities are called—they merely give Brussels bureaucrats a sense of indispensability.
The results of such dirigiste models can be seen in Germany: thanks to the eco-socialists, the Federal Republic has become the sick man of Europe. Short- to medium-term prospects for recovery? Very poor!”
On Monday, Annalena Baerbock was elected President of the United Nations. Commenting on this, Petr Bystron, MEP of the ESN Group, stated:
“As Foreign Minister, Baerbock repeatedly embarrassed Germany on the international stage. In January 2023, she claimed in the Council of Europe that we were in a ‘war against Russia’—a statement that caused global diplomatic irritation. Her remark calling China’s President a ‘dictator’ also drew international criticism.
The fact that someone like Baerbock can occupy this position reflects the complete insignificance of the UN. Major decisions in global politics are made through direct negotiations among the great powers, not in multilateral organizations like the UN.
As a farewell gift, Baerbock left Germany with 36,000 Afghans, many of whom were allegedly flown in illegally under her ministry's initiatives. They are reported to be 723% more likely to commit crimes than Germans and have been involved in numerous cases of rape and murder.
It is unacceptable that, amid the societal and economic crises caused by the Greens, Germans must also finance her presidency with their tax money—paying her an annual salary of over 150,000 euros.
Instead of heading to New York, Baerbock belongs in the defendant’s seat in Germany.”
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will not attend an important meeting of international defense officials today aimed at coordinating military assistance to Ukraine. This marks a significant shift in U.S. engagement.
The announcement comes just days after a Ukrainian drone strike on five Russian airbases, which reportedly damaged 41 strategic Russian bombers. The estimated damage exceeds 6 billion euros.
So far, the White House has not commented on the attack, merely stating that it had no prior knowledge of it.
Commenting on this, Siegbert Frank Droese, an alternate member of the European Parliament’s Security and Defense Committee, stated:
“The Roman statesman and orator Marcus Tullius Cicero once said: ‘By keeping silent, you cry out loudly!’
The absence of Defense Secretary Hegseth from today’s meeting could be an indication that U.S. cooperation with Ukraine is at risk unless all parties commit to peace negotiations.
It seems highly unlikely that the United States will continue to support a conflict driven primarily by Europeans and the British indefinitely.
The EU should bear in mind that its recent increase in defense spending will, at best, make Europe only theoretically independent of U.S. military support.
We should now be open to ending a conflict that our strategic allies already deem unwinnable.”
The agreement between the European Union and Ukraine on road freight transport, currently under revision, is a proposed amendment to the existing treaty from 2022. The original purpose of the agreement was to grant Ukrainian transport companies easier access to the EU internal market, particularly to facilitate the export of Ukrainian goods to EU member states.
Commenting on this, ESN MEP Siegbert Droese stated:
“We have proposed the following revisions to the agreement:
-Effective controls at Ukrainian border crossings and on major transport routes through a strong police presence.
Continuous inspection of the technical condition of incoming vehicles.
Digital monitoring must also be ensured through comprehensive electronic document verification.
It is crucial that the EU finally takes clear measures to prevent market distortions caused by mass imports from Ukraine and to ensure that Ukrainian trucks transport only civilian goods.
We therefore state clearly: The interest in road safety and the quality of goods must finally be safeguarded for German and European consumers!”
With the Executive Order on the Deportation of Alien Enemies, U.S. President Donald Trump will deport 530,000 migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. Opponents filed lawsuits against the deportations. After legal challenges, the Supreme Court has now ruled in Trump’s favor: the U.S. Supreme Court decided that revoking the residency status of these immigrants is legitimate.
Commenting on this, Petr Bystron, Member of the ESN Group in the EU Parliament, stated:
“Donald Trump is thus able to fulfill one of his central campaign promises and continue the deportation of hundreds of thousands of illegal migrants from the United States. Across the West, people are longing for the restoration of law and order. And this can only be achieved through remigration! Trump is showing the entire world that large-scale remigration is indeed possible.
We in the AfD have been demanding such a turnaround in Europe for years. After MAGA comes MEGA – Make Europe Great Again!”
On the occasion of the presidential election in Poland, Tomasz Froelich, Deputy Head of the AfD Delegation in the EU Parliament, states:
“We congratulate Karol Nawrocki on his election victory. This prevents unchecked rule by Donald Tusk’s liberal Civic Platform, which pursues a woke, green, belligerent, and EU-subservient agenda and ruthlessly opposes the patriotic and right-wing opposition.
During the campaign, Nawrocki committed to the Konfederacja candidate Sławomir Mentzen to withdraw from the Migration Pact and the Green Deal, to refrain from sending soldiers to Ukraine, and to oppose Ukraine’s accession to NATO and the EU. He will be measured by these promises.
At the EU level, he can count on our support if he seriously pursues these goals. Our countries face similar challenges. If we are to overcome them, it would be wise to finally lay to rest the conflicts of the past.”
During a meeting of the EU’s special committee “European Democracy Shield,” extensive investments in media and fact-checking projects were proposed, ostensibly to protect freedom of the press and expression within the European Union. Funding on the order of billions is to be made available for these media outlets—also as a reaction to recent cutbacks at the U.S. development agency USAID.
ESN Group MEP Petr Bystron commented:
“We’re talking about billions that Brussels apparently intends to pour—without any real democratic oversight—into a new censorship and propaganda infrastructure. Under the guise of ‘protecting democracy,’ a vast subsidy machine is being created for government-friendly platforms and media, while critical voices continue to be excluded.
That European taxpayers are now expected to fill the gap left by USAID’s cuts is an affront to anyone who believes in genuine media diversity. Brussels presumes to decide which information is ‘good’ or ‘bad,’ which media are ‘free’ and which are ‘propaganda.’ In doing so, the EU is definitively abandoning the free marketplace of ideas.
We will oppose these plans resolutely. If the European Union were serious about press and speech freedom, it would tolerate inconvenient or foreign broadcasters instead of pumping billions into an ideological police force. Disinformation and propaganda are always blamed on others—yet with this program Brussels is institutionalizing one-sided control of opinion itself.”
Yesterday the European Parliament adopted new tariffs on agricultural products and fertilizers from Russia and Belarus by 411 votes in favor, 100 against and 78 abstentions. Most MEPs from the CDU/CSU, SPD and Greens voted for the measure, while the ESN group opposed it by a large majority.
ESN MEP Markus Buchheit commented:
“The European Union has become a prisoner of its own sanctions strategy. It is not bringing more peace and security; instead it is harming our own citizens and businesses most of all. Rather than forcing Russia to its economic knees, we are seeing falling exports, production losses and rising prices—especially for fertilizers and food. The Commission itself warns of consequences for food security, yet this misguided policy continues. We finally need the courage to abandon this wrong path and choose diplomacy over economic self-harm.”
Given the growing economic imbalance, the AfD delegation is calling for a change of course in the EU’s Russia policy. Instead of further tariffs and sanctions—whose main burden is borne by European businesses and consumers—the Union must pursue dialogue and political solutions.
Against the backdrop of the South African President’s visit with Donald Trump, Member of the European Parliament Siegbert Frank Droese views with concern the European Commission’s decision earlier this year to back South Africa with an investment package worth €4.7 billion despite glaring breaches of the rule of law. In a written question, Droese demanded a clear position from the Commission on the South African Expropriation Act, signed in January 2025, which empowers the state to seize land without compensation. The Commission’s reply, now available, remains vague. Siegbert Droese, MEP of the ESN Group, states:
“While the Commission stresses it will ‘monitor developments’, the situation on the ground has been escalating for years, and white farmers are the target of a brutal wave of violence – including routine torture, rape and murder. International human-rights organizations warn of systematic action against the white minority, yet the South African government plays it down or stays silent. Just like the red-green public in Germany and the EU, which apparently looks the other way when faced with anti-white racism.
It is a scandal: white farmers are being murdered, expropriated and deprived of their rights – and Brussels rewards this conduct with billions!
Given these conditions, many victims have already sought refuge in the United States – with the backing of U.S. President Donald Trump, who recently even hosted the South African President. Trump openly confronted him with a video documenting the violent persecution of the white minority. Meanwhile, the left-wing press mocks these people, referring to them as ‘refugees’ in quotation marks – and the EU remains silent.
Particularly revolting: the supposedly human-rights-minded EU finds no words for the crimes in South Africa. Instead, it throws taxpayers’ billions at a corrupt regime!
As long as property rights are abolished in South Africa, racist violence is down-played and tolerated, and a minority is systematically persecuted, not a single cent from Brussels should flow there. The EU makes itself complicit when it bankrolls a corrupt regime of injustice that is forcing a genocide in its own country. There must be an immediate halt to all EU investments in South Africa and an open condemnation of the Expropriation Act and the violence against white South Africans!”
Today, the European Parliament rejected an amendment tabled by ESN Group that simply reaffirmed its commitment to full transparency following the EU General Court’s recent ruling on Pfizergate.
The Court ruled on 14 May 2025 that the European Commission was wrong to withhold text messages between its President and the CEO of Pfizer—messages exchanged during vaccine procurement talks. The judgment confirmed that such messages fall under EU transparency rules and must be made public. In response, we proposed that Parliament “reiterates its full commitment to complete transparency on this matter.”
Yet, astonishingly, a majority—including nearly all Members of S&D, the Greens, and the Left, notably Daniel Freund and Martin Schirdewan—voted against this basic statement of principle.
Christine Anderson, author of the amendment and Chief Whip of the ESN Group, stated:
“Our amendment was neither controversial nor partisan. Yet, the left and green side of the House votes against it. This is a stunning display of hypocrisy. These very same MEPs publicly applauded the Court’s ruling but refused to support a basic commitment to openness when it counted. Transparency must not be a slogan—it must be a principle. We will not let this matter be swept under the rug, nor will we allow Ursula von der Leyen to escape accountability.”
The European Parliament's LIBE Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs has approved a report on the state of the rule of law in the EU in 2024.
In a highly political report, the committee approved more censorship of social networks, more funding for left-wing NGOs and condemnation of Hungary.
In a surprising vote, it was even approved that Member States that have not yet done so should introduce legal recognition of same-sex partnerships.
It could only be voted through with a left-wing majority supported by EPP votes. The ESN Group regrets that EPP members gave in to the injunctions of the left.
Legal recognition of same-sex partnerships was approved by EPP-MEPs Monika Hohlmeier (Germany), Verena Mertens (Germany), Oliver Schenk (Germany), Ioan-Rareş Bogdan (Romania), Paulo Cunha (Portugal), Rasa Juknevičienė (Lithuania), Jeroen Lenaers (The Netherlands), Jüri Ratas (Estonia), Tomas Tobé (Sweden), Maria Walsh (Ireland), Javier Zarzalejos (Spain) and Tomáš Zdechovský (Czechia).
ESN will continue to defend genuinely right-wing positions, such as the sovereignty of Member States to decide for themselves on this topic.
Milan UHRIK, MEP,
ESN coordinator in the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs
The European Commission has significantly downgraded its growth forecast for the eurozone – to 0.9% for 2025 and 1.4% for 2026. One of the main reasons is the economic weakness in Germany. ESN MEP Rada Laykova commented:
"The EU has already been in economic stagnation for about a decade. Even those 1% growths reported are mostly just the result of statistical tricks. The European Commission is quick to point fingers at the USA or Russia, but the problems in Europe are homemade. The current drastic cut in the EU’s growth forecast is yet another sign of the failure of Brussels’ current policies. Instead of strengthening the competitiveness of European companies, the Commission has pursued an ideologically driven agenda of economic self-sabotage in recent years – from excessive bureaucracy to costly climate regulations that particularly hurt our industry. Does the EU learn? No. The Draghi report only just admitted what the so-called 'EU critics' have been saying for a decade: the EU, with its doctrine of ever more planned economy, monetary distortion and regulation, is undermining Europe’s competitiveness. However, the Draghi report just admits the problem after it had become impossible to hide the economic stagnation anymore, but then demands that allegedly only 'more EU' is the solution to something which was caused by already 'too much EU'. A common trick of the EU: create a problem yourself and then spin its causality for even more control and more money for the EU.
What is especially worrying is the economic stagnation in Germany, the backbone of Europe’s economy. High energy prices – caused by the self-imposed disconnection from reliable energy sources – and a massive investment backlog are problems of the EU’s own making. An industrial economy cannot exist without cheap and reliable energy. Germany no longer has either. The Commission bears responsibility because it constantly interferes too much in national economic policies or energy imports instead of enabling independent solutions.
In light of the economic situation, the ESN Group calls for an immediate moratorium on all new EU regulations that further burden businesses, as well as a fundamental reorientation of energy policy toward affordable and secure supply for citizens and industry. In addition, we need to access some of our own sources for certain resources, especially since the EU seems to intentionally head into economic and geopolitical isolation when you read some of its newest reports. The 'intentionally' is, of course, not admitted, but can be observed. Furthermore, a return to sound fiscal policy and responsible use of EU funds is urgently needed. The EU, though, is heading for the exact opposite.”
Following significant international pressure, the British judiciary has reversed its decision: British activist Tommy Robinson is being released roughly two months before the end of his original prison sentence. His imprisonment was controversial from the start and drew criticism from around the world. Member of the European Parliament Petr Bystron is considered one of his strongest supporters. During Robinson's incarceration, Bystron visited him in England and kept the public informed about his case.
MEP Petr Bystron, a member of the ESN Group, commented:
"Tommy is not an isolated case. In the heart of Europe, people are being intimidated, censored, and criminalized for exposing wrongdoing.
I will continue to stand up for all these courageous individuals who fight for freedom of speech and justice.
I am pleased that Tommy is pressing on and already planning new initiatives. His courage inspires many.
We will never allow the truth to be suppressed—neither by court orders nor by prison walls."
Representatives of the European Parliament and the governments of the member states agreed yesterday on a phased introduction of the so-called Entry/Exit System (EES). While the European Commission and mainstream media are hailing this as a success, AfD MEP Mary Khan sees it as a disturbing revelation of the disastrous state of the EU’s external borders, which have suffered from grossly inadequate control for years:
“For several years now, the Commission has been announcing the introduction of the Entry/Exit System (EES) as a tool to improve identity verification at the EU’s external borders. The collection of biometric data and the digital registration of all entries and exits by third-country nationals is long overdue in order to ensure effective border controls, prevent multiple identities, and combat illegal migration more effectively.
But instead of taking decisive action, the Commission has repeatedly postponed the system’s implementation for years—most recently in December 2024, shifting the responsibility onto the member states, even though the original launch had been planned for 2020.
In the meantime, millions of migrants have entered illegally without their identities being thoroughly checked or registered. This has created a massive security gap that the EU has allowed to grow over the years—at the expense not only of the European population but also of our security, our values, and our future.
The catastrophic consequences of these delays reveal both an organizational failure—highlighted by the awarding of the contract to IT company Atos, formerly led by Commissioner Thierry Breton and only moderately successful in execution—and a lack of political will to address the issue of illegal mass migration.”
In a preliminary assessment, the European Commission has accused the platform TikTok of violating European digital regulations. For ESN Member of the European Parliament Mary Khan, one thing is clear: this is not a technocratic concern — it is a targeted attack on digital freedom of expression in Europe. The MEP explained:
“While U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance used the Munich Security Conference to emphatically highlight the limits of illiberal control fantasies to the EU elites, von der Leyen and her allies continue undeterred on their path of acting as a moral censorship authority. Now TikTok is under fire — a platform that many young people value precisely because of its unfiltered content, seeing it as a space for free expression.
The real reason: because parties like the AfD — and many other patriotic movements across Europe — are able to reach millions on TikTok, the Brussels power cartel sees the platform as a thorn in its side. This is no longer about data protection or regulation — it is about total control over information and opinion. Those who think critically are to be silenced.
Free speech is the Achilles’ heel of any liberal order, and today it is being attacked by Brussels under flimsy pretexts. We stand firmly and unconditionally for digital freedom of expression. The European Commission must immediately end its ideologically driven course of censorship.”
The European Court of Justice has reprimanded the EU Commission over the disappearance of text messages between Ursula von der Leyen and Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla regarding the multi-billion euro vaccine deals.
Christine Anderson, Member of the ESN Group, commented as follows:
“Today’s ruling by the EU General Court is a political earthquake in the affair surrounding the secret COVID-19 vaccine contracts. The European Commission violated the right to transparency by refusing access to text messages exchanged between Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and the CEO of Pfizer. The court has now made it clear: the deletion of these messages was unlawful.
This deliberate disregard for legal and transparency obligations cannot go unpunished. Von der Leyen’s personal misconduct is emblematic of a broader institutional failure within the Commission. Both von der Leyen and the Commission must be held accountable. A parliamentary committee of inquiry must now be established – with real powers, including the authority to compel von der Leyen to testify under oath. Only such a process can ensure genuine and comprehensive accountability.
As early as 2023, the European Parliament’s COVID Committee sought to question the Commission President – but she refused to appear. That cannot and must not be the end of the matter.
Those who hold positions of responsibility must not be allowed to evade scrutiny. The EU must now prove that it has learned from this scandal – or it risks permanently losing the trust of its citizens.”
The ESN Group in the European Parliament warmly congratulates Pope Leo XIV on his election and extends its heartfelt wishes for a pontificate marked by blessing and strength. As the spiritual leader of more than one billion Catholics, he assumes a responsibility of historic and global significance.
The co-president of the ESN Group, René Aust, explains:
„Especially in times of societal disorientation, the voice of the Church can serve as a vital compass and anchor.
May Pope Leo XIV, with wisdom, courage, and the help of God, strengthen the bond between faith, truth, and freedom in Europe.
May God protect Pope Leo XIV.“
On May 8, 2025, the European Parliament voted with 371 in favor, 162 against, and 37 abstentions to downgrade the protection status of the wolf across the EU from “strictly protected” to “protected.” This change gives member states greater flexibility to remove problematic animals, provided that the species maintains a favorable conservation status. Support came primarily from agricultural sectors and conservative MEPs, while Greens, WWF, and other animal protection organizations warned of a setback for species conservation. After formal approval by the Council of Ministers, member states will have 18 months to transpose the change into national law.
Commenting on this, Anja Arndt, MEP of the ESN Group, stated:
“With this decision, Parliament is finally addressing the real challenges faced in our rural regions. We are giving member states a flexible tool to take the legitimate concerns of livestock farmers seriously, without demonizing the wolf across the board. The downgrading of the protection status is a welcome step, especially for farming operations and alpine pastoralism. At last, a path is being cleared to protect grazing animals, family-run farms, and tourism from increasing attacks.
Once again, the voting behavior of the Greens reveals their detachment from reality: ideological dogmas are being placed above the existential fears of people in rural areas.
Now Berlin must act immediately and use this new flexibility to grant uncomplicated shooting permits for problem wolves. The announced 18-month period must not be used as an excuse to delay action.”
Today, the European Parliament was scheduled to decide whether to extend the trade protection measures suspended since 2022 for certain Ukrainian products — including steel — once again. Critics fear that the tariff-free import regime continues to undermine the competitiveness of European farmers, steel companies, and small and medium-sized enterprises. An open letter from the Steel Pipe Industry Association (WVSR) to all Members of the European Parliament warns of “disastrous consequences” for EU industry and urges rejection of the extension.
The Europe of Sovereign Nations (ESN) Group has therefore submitted a procedural motion to postpone the vote in order to allow for a more in-depth assessment of the economic impact. ESN MEP Prof. Dr. Hans Neuhoff stated:
“We have requested that the planned vote on further tariff suspensions for imports from Ukraine be postponed. Otherwise, our domestic economy — from family-run farms to medium-sized industries and the steel sector — would come under massive pressure.
Ukraine produces with dumping wages and without comparable environmental or social standards. If their goods continue to enter the EU unchecked, we risk jobs and value creation across Europe.
The open letter from the Steel Pipe Industry Association clearly highlights these concerns. We reacted quickly and took the concerns of small and medium-sized enterprises seriously. Unfortunately, many MEPs — particularly from the usual camps of the traditional parties — once again prioritized the interests of Ukraine over those of their own nations. The necessary votes to approve our motion for postponement were not secured — yet another nail in the coffin for the German economy.”
On May 6, 2025, the Europe of Sovereign Nations (ESN) Group, meeting in Strasbourg, unanimously welcomed the candidacy of Mr Volker Schnurrbusch, who becomes the 27th member of the ESN Group.
Volker Schnurrbusch is a German Member of the European Parliament and a member of Alternative für Deutschland (AFD). He joined the European Parliament at the beginning of April 2025 and has sat until now as a non-attached Member.
This is the second expansion of the ESN Group in less than six months, following the integration of Milan Mazurek in January 2025.
It has been officially confirmed today: The request to establish a committee of inquiry into the EU Commission's vaccine contracts — in particular the controversial Pfizer deals under Ursula von der Leyen — has reached the required 180 supporters in the European Parliament. The request, titled “TRAC – Transparency and Accountability,” will now be submitted to the Conference of Presidents for further decision in accordance with Article 215 of the Rules of Procedure.
The planned committee is intended to thoroughly investigate:
• the EU Commission’s vaccine negotiations, particularly the personal SMS communications between the Commission President and Pfizer,
• alleged corruption cases such as Qatargate and Huaweigate,
• as well as the influence exerted by non-governmental organizations funded by the Commission.
Christine Anderson, Member of the European Parliament for the ESN Group, stated:
“One of my key priorities during this legislative term has been the review of COVID-19 policies, especially regarding vaccine procurement. Citizens have a right to know how multi-billion euro contracts with liability waivers could be concluded via text message. This committee will shine a light on the dark corners of corruption within the Commission — not only in relation to vaccines but also concerning the influence of Chinese companies and Gulf states.
Now it is up to the European Christian Democrats, Social Democrats, Greens, and Leftists to decide whether they will heed our call for transparency, accountability, and political responsibility — or continue to beat the drum of so-called transparency while failing to act themselves.
My special thanks go to the Patriots for Europe group, who contributed greatly to mobilizing support and bringing this issue firmly onto the agenda. Together, we now demand: full transparency, thorough investigation, and political accountability regarding external influence, conflicts of interest, and possible legal violations within the EU institutions.”
The European Commission has presented plans aiming to completely end Russian gas imports by 2027 at the latest. In two phases, the short-term trade of Russian gas on the spot market will be prohibited starting at the end of 2025, and the signing of new contracts will also be banned. By the end of 2027, no gas at all should be imported from Russia into the EU.
Anja Arndt expresses strong criticism of this initiative. From her perspective, it is a morally motivated but inconsistent approach, as liquefied natural gas (LNG) from countries like the USA or Qatar is still being imported. According to Arndt, this fuel is not only more expensive but also especially harmful to the environment due to the energy-intensive liquefaction process and long-distance transport. She also warns of increasing dependence on new energy suppliers and criticizes the burden on consumers due to high energy prices.
The ESN Member of the European Parliament, Anja Arndt, comments:
“The EU talks about climate protection and dependencies – while creating new dependencies on global corporations and third countries, as domestic industries are brought to their knees.
This policy harms Germany twice: economically and ecologically. The pipeline infrastructure, which was reliable, efficient, and costly, is being sacrificed for ideological reasons. Instead of rational energy policy, we get green planned economy and EU double standards. Anyone who truly wants to represent German interests and protect the environment must decisively oppose this madness”
A request has been filed to lift the parliamentary immunity of AfD Member of the European Parliament Petr Bystron. The investigations are based on allegations for which, despite 21 house searches, no credible evidence has been presented so far. The AfD delegation considers the process politically motivated and sees it as an attempt to discredit a committed European politician. On this matter, ESN Group MEP Petr Bystron himself declares:
"The planned withdrawal of my immunity is not a procedure in accordance with the rule of law, but a targeted political maneuver. The fact that 21 searches have not yielded a single substantial piece of evidence illustrates the baselessness of the accusations. We are witnessing a coordinated campaign to criminalize my peace-oriented views. While in the USA under President Trump, destabilization networks such as USAID are being uncovered and curtailed, the EU is actively participating in the persecution of opposition voices.
The public prosecutor should not investigate the victims of this campaign, but its masterminds. I stand for peace, freedom of expression, and an independent judiciary. Germany must return to democracy and the rule of law."
On April 28, 2025, an unprecedented power outage occurred across the entire Iberian Peninsula. Millions of people in Spain and Portugal were left without electricity for hours. The cause was the high proportion of solar power in the Spanish energy grid.
Markus Buchheit, Member of the European Parliament from the ESN Group, commented:
"The blackout in Spain and Portugal is a wake-up call for all of Europe. The energy transition must not come at the expense of supply security. Supply security and system stability must be top priorities. Ideological considerations must not be placed above the fundamental need for a secure power supply. From our point of view, it is therefore urgently necessary to thoroughly and promptly review grid stability and existing reserve capacities in Germany and Europe to identify potential weaknesses early and minimize the risk of widespread blackouts. Only with flexible and controllable large-scale power plants can we ensure that the power system functions reliably, even with highly fluctuating input from renewable energy sources, and that peak loads can be safely absorbed."
ESN MEP Anja Arndt added:
"The excessive expansion of wind and solar energy is directly responsible for this blackout and must be stopped immediately in our country as well. We need to return to a reliable, baseload-capable energy supply – for the safety of our citizens in Germany and the entire European Union."
The European Parliament operates 15 “Experience Europe” centres in which it promotes itself as an institution. The investment costs exceed €110 million, with a further €18 million in annual running costs. Another 14 centres are planned, meaning the total expenditure will rise sharply. These figures emerged from a parliamentary question submitted by AfD MEP Alexander Jungbluth.
The ESN-group budget spokesman commented:
“It is outrageous how the EU squanders taxpayers’ money to put itself in the spotlight. While constantly telling citizens they need to tighten their belts, the ladies and gentlemen in Brussels and Strasbourg treat themselves to luxurious self-glorification temples at taxpayers’ expense. The fact that President Metsola answered my question only after several reminders shows she fears the public’s reaction. I will continue to make sure that citizens learn about the European Parliament’s drastic waste of taxes for propaganda purposes.”
The ESN Group firmly rejected the European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP), adopted last Thursday in the Committees on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) and on Security and Defence (SEDE). The Group voted unanimously against the report, which passed with 70 votes in favour, 46 against, and 8 abstentions.
From the ESN’s perspective, the EDIP violates the principle of national sovereignty and leads to further centralisation of defence policy at EU level. The planned increase in national contributions and the obligation to conduct joint procurement — with the goal of achieving at least 40 per cent of military procurement jointly by 2030 — undermine Member States’ freedom of decision and place an additional burden of €1.5 billion on national budgets via the EU budget. While the introduction of a “Buy European” principle, requiring 70 per cent of value creation within the EU, is welcome in principle, it is not sufficient to protect the interests of individual nations.
The ESN Group also criticises the integration of Ukraine into the European defence industry as risky and politically motivated. Rather than further communitisation, the ESN Group calls for a consistent strengthening of national defence industries and a return to a policy of national responsibility.
Markus Buchheit, Member of the European Parliament for the ESN Group, stated:
“The security of Europe is the responsibility of sovereign nation-states, not the Brussels bureaucracy. The EDIP is another step towards a European army, which we firmly reject. We stand for national sovereignty, democratic oversight, and a responsible defence policy to ensure the safety of our citizens.
The ESN Group will continue to advocate for the preservation of sovereignty and the interests of Europe’s nations."
A 15-year-old student killed a 17-year-old female classmate with a hunting knife and seriously injured three other students at a Catholic high school in Nantes. A teacher reportedly managed to overpower him with a table. According to media reports, shortly before the attack, the suspected perpetrator sent a 13-page manifesto titled "Immune Action" to his classmates, in which he denounced environmental destruction, social alienation, and "totalitarian social conditioning." He called for a "biological revolt" — even at the cost of innocent lives.
Commenting on this, Anja Arndt, Member of the European Parliament from the ESN Group, stated:
"The climate hysteria, also propagated by the European Parliament, is causing more and more young people to despair. The number of depressed young people is skyrocketing. The BARMER health insurance company, together with the SINUS Institute, conducted a study to examine 'the effects of climate change' on the mental health of young people. The results show that climate anxiety is now widespread among adolescents. 36% of surveyed young people reported experiencing severe anxiety about climate change (levels 8–10 on a ten-point scale), while another 27% reported moderate anxiety (levels 6–7). Only 16% stated that they had no anxiety (levels 1–3).
It is not alleged climate fluctuations that frighten our young people, but the irresponsible reporting by the media and misleading statements by politicians. Climate policy, which often is not based on scientific facts but rather on green-left ideology and fearmongering, unsettles and burdens our citizens. It not only leads to poverty and illness but also fosters the emergence of more climate extremists in the long term. In France, this climate hysteria has now even led to a rampage with dead and injured.
No one can have an interest in seeing our young people further frightened, unsettled, or even radicalized by this green-left ideology. We, the ESN Group in the European Parliament, say: Enough with irresponsible climate policy! Enough with the Green Deal!"
AfD Member of the European Parliament Petr Bystron visited imprisoned British activist Tommy Robinson yesterday at Woodhill Prison. Robinson has repeatedly faced repression due to his documentaries critical of Islam.
"Tommy Robinson is a political prisoner. He was convicted for distributing his video 'Silencer', even though several witnesses confirmed the truthfulness of the video in court. Robinson was imprisoned because he refused to withdraw the video. That is true civil courage! Despite this unjust treatment and the grueling conditions of solitary confinement, Robinson remains steadfast and intends to continue his fight for freedom of speech even after his release.
In doing so, he is also fighting for us, because the growing restrictions on freedom of speech across Europe have reached alarming levels. Just like in the UK, opposition figures and government-critical journalists are being suppressed and persecuted in the EU as well — the imprisonment of the blogger Shlomo and the suspended seven-month prison sentence for the editor-in-chief of Deutschland Kurier, David Bendels, for a satirical post, are just the latest examples from Germany.
In the European Parliament, we are fighting to ensure that voices like Tommy Robinson's are heard. We will not forget these individuals and will continue to advocate for the defense of freedom of speech and the depoliticization of the judiciary."
The European Commission is planning to introduce an annual mandatory inspection for all cars older than ten years. The aim of this measure is to improve road safety. However, the proposal still needs to be approved by the European Parliament and the EU member states before it can come into effect. Regarding this, ESN MEP Siegbert Droese stated:
"This proposal is yet another attack on the freedom and prosperity of our citizens. Instead of providing relief, it imposes an additional financial burden. Those who cannot afford a new car will be the ones punished by this measure.
It is unacceptable that the European Commission continues to harass citizens with ever more regulations and restrict individual mobility. Existing regulations are sufficient — this is a blatant attempt to push a green agenda under the guise of road safety and to further restrict individual mobility.
We call on the EU institutions to immediately withdraw this proposal, and we will vote against this senseless initiative in Parliament."
According to a response to a parliamentary question by MEP Alexander Jungbluth, the EU refuses to repatriate Syrian refugees to their home country.
Commenting on this, Alexander Jungbluth, Member of the European Parliament for the ESN Group, states:
“It took the EU Commission a full four months to respond to my inquiry. And the answer is sobering! Despite the regime change in Syria and the disappearance of the original grounds for fleeing the Assad government, the EU is not planning any repatriations.
For the EU, it apparently makes no difference whether an asylum seeker still has valid grounds for protection or not. The asylum system continues to serve only one purpose: to flood the EU with largely unqualified and culturally alien migrants. Once again, this response shows that the EU has no real interest in ending mass migration in the interest of its own citizens.”
The EU Commission plans to ease key elements of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and promises to reduce bureaucracy for European farmers. What may seem like a course correction at first glance is, in reality, an admission of political failure.
Arno Bausemer, Member of the European Parliament for the ESN Group and member of the Agriculture Committee, explains:
“For years, the Commission has systematically destroyed European agriculture through overregulation. Countless farmers have had to give up their farms – not due to a lack of performance, but because of an ideologically driven agricultural policy from Brussels. Now, the Commission is being tripped up by its own policies. The fact that measures such as GAEC standards are now to be watered down shows just how misguided the previous course was.
Despite the planned relief measures, the Commission’s overall direction remains questionable. Even the Directorate-General itself warns of the loss of oversight capabilities, and ideologically motivated climate regulations continue to play a central role in the agricultural sector.
Questionable steps such as the proposed tariffs on fertilizer imports from Russia further demonstrate that the EU Commission is not genuinely concerned with safeguarding European agriculture. Our farmers depend on this affordable fertilizer to maintain their competitiveness and must no longer be used as pawns in senseless political proxy wars.
Tinkering with a few minor adjustments is not enough when the ideological foundation remains intact. As long as climate ideology takes precedence over practical solutions, nothing will fundamentally change for Europe’s farmers.”
The EU has approved an aid package worth 1.6 billion euros for the Palestinian Authority. The funds are intended to support reforms, reconstruction, and administrative structures in the region, particularly in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The EU emphasizes that the money is tied to a willingness to reform — but no concrete conditions have been specified. Commenting on this, Alexander Jungbluth, MEP from the ESN group, states:
“Widespread corruption, barely functioning administration, and areas partly controlled by the radical Islamist Hamas — that’s where the EU wants to send 1.6 billion euros of European taxpayer money.
How the money will actually be used is almost impossible to monitor or even track transparently. While the EU talks about necessary reforms, it remains vague beyond that. As a general rule, aid to foreign countries should always be tied to the concept of remigration — in this case, the return of criminal and deportable Palestinians from Europe. That would actually be of help to Europe!”
The European Commission has launched a four-week public consultation to update its “Nuclear Illustrative Programme” (PNIC). The goal is to present a revised strategic document in the second quarter, outlining future investment needs in the European nuclear sector. The focus includes the construction of new reactors, lifetime extensions for existing plants, the management of radioactive waste, and the development of new technologies such as Small Modular Reactors and nuclear fusion. The backdrop to this initiative is the renewed interest in nuclear power among many EU member states.
Markus Buchheit, Member of the European Parliament from the ESN Group, comments:
“Even the European Commission – usually responsible for climate-ideological experiments like the Green Deal – is now backing the expansion of nuclear energy. Meanwhile, Germany continues on its isolated and ideologically driven path of phasing out nuclear power. This is not only disconnected from reality – it is extremely dangerous for our economic competitiveness.
The EU rightly recognizes that nuclear energy is an indispensable pillar for affordable, stable, and low-carbon electricity supply. New reactors, new technologies, more research, and targeted investments: other European countries are preparing for the future. And Germany? It is the only industrialized nation to completely shut down its functioning nuclear power plants – despite skyrocketing electricity prices, growing dependence on energy imports, and clear risks to energy security and the economy.
This ideological refusal to face reality harms not only the German people but also massively undermines our economic competitiveness. It is high time that Berlin wakes up: without nuclear energy, there can be no secure, independent, or future-proof energy supply – neither in Germany nor anywhere else.
We call on the German government to stop denying reality, reverse the nuclear phase-out, and finally act in a technologically open and responsible manner.”
The case of the rejected Eritrean asylum seeker Kahlid O., currently the subject of media attention, once again raises questions about German asylum policy. Despite entering via safe third countries and having his asylum application rejected, he committed several criminal offenses. After serving a prison sentence and receiving release payments, he reoffended. Deportation is currently considered unlikely, as Eritrea refuses to provide identification. The man is now receiving psychiatric treatment at the state's expense and remains in Germany. Regarding this, ESN parliamentary group MEP Mary Khan states:
“Countries like Eritrea have received millions of euros in aid payments from the European Union for years, yet refuse to take back their rejected nationals once their asylum claims are denied.
Germany must immediately part ways with the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act! Asylum seekers should no longer receive monetary benefits but should instead only receive in-kind benefits for the duration of their procedures.
As long as the federal government is not willing to act, benefits for rejected asylum seekers must be suspended, foreign remittances to their countries of origin must be immediately banned, and pressure on countries of origin must be increased by suspending aid payments.
Countries like Eritrea that actively prevent the return of rejected asylum seekers must no longer be rewarded for their behavior.”
According to plans by the EU’s chief diplomat Kaja Kallas, €40 billion are to be allocated for the continued armament of Ukrainian armed forces. Her proposal includes joint financing based on a distribution key that takes into account the gross national income of each EU member state. Following the latest Russian attacks, the proposal is once again gaining attention among several member states.
MEP Petr Bystron of the ESN group commented:
“The EU wants to finance the Ukrainian war machinery with another €40 billion – and Germany is supposed to pay for it. Under Ms. Kallas's distribution key, Germany would bear the lion’s share, meaning German taxpayers would be disproportionately burdened. We reject that. Instead of Germany supplying money for ammunition and prolonging the dying, we as the AfD delegation are calling for a diplomatic solution. Not a single additional euro of German taxpayer money should go to Ukraine!
This is all the more true now that the United States under President Trump is advocating for a negotiated solution to the conflict. It is disturbing that the EU so stubbornly refuses to recognize the signs of the times and contribute to a diplomatic resolution of the conflict.”
The European Court of Auditors criticizes the lack of transparency in the allocation of EU funding to non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Between 2021 and 2023, NGOs received around 7.4 billion euros, with 4.8 billion euros coming directly from the EU Commission. The report points out that there is no clear overview of how these funds are used, especially regarding lobbying activities and adherence to EU values by the NGOs. Additionally, there is no consistent definition of NGOs, further hindering transparency.
EU Member of Parliament Mary Khan of the ESN Group states:
"What has been uncovered here is a scandal: Left-wing networks are being funded with billions to push the ideological goals of the EU Commission and national governments – far from any democratic accountability.
The allocation of these funds is happening without any transparency and in the billions. The EU Commission repeatedly positions itself as a moral compass while harshly criticizing states that oppose it. However, the reality is quite the opposite. The EU Commission operates far from any democratic rules, as the latest report from the European Court of Auditors reveals.
As part of the ESN Group, we have made it our mission to expose this swamp. Whether this new scandal is just the tip of the iceberg remains to be seen. We will certainly continue to dig deeper."
The response from the European Commission to a written question by ESN Member of the European Parliament Mary Khan is sobering. Mary Khan wanted to know the financial burden in the areas of healthcare, housing, education, security, and social welfare. Instead of answers, she received vague phrases and ignorance. Mary Khan comments:
“‘We don’t know – and we don’t want to know.’ These words sum up the response of the European Commission and Commissioner Magnus Brunner briefly and clearly.”
Apparently, Brussels fears the political explosive power of honest figures. Every year, hundreds of thousands of illegal migrants enter the EU – yet no one wants to know what this costs. Those who don’t count, don’t have to take responsibility. And those who don’t measure, can gloss over everything. The refusal to provide any transparency is a slap in the face to European taxpayers.
I therefore call for an independent, country-specific, and transparent cost analysis of illegal migration. Anyone who wants to talk about migration must also talk about its consequences – honestly, based on data, and without ideological filters. Anything else is political window dressing at the expense of the citizens.
The ESN Group has submitted a motion for a European Parliament resolution calling for a strong and united response to what it sees as Germany’s departure from financial stability. The initiative highlights concerns over Germany’s use of “Sondervermögen” (special funds) and its potential impact on EU fiscal rules and overall economic stability.
Alexander Jungbluth, Member of the European Parliament for the ESN Group and member of the BUDG Committee, stated:
“The debt binge we are currently witnessing in Germany endangers not only the country’s own stability but also that of the entire European financial system. That’s why, together with the European Parliament, we are calling on the Commission to take action to ensure that the Federal Republic of Germany complies with existing EU law and stops violating the Maastricht criteria.
If the European Parliament wants to maintain its credibility when it comes to upholding European rules and laws, our resolution must be taken seriously and negotiated across party lines. There can only be one conclusion: under the leadership of Friedrich Merz, the German government is not only jeopardizing the future of its own citizens and generations to come, but also playing with the financial and economic security of the entire Eurozone.”
Siegbert Droese (ESN/AfD), Member of the European Parliament, strongly criticises the proposed EU directive on driving licence reform as well as the directive on licence withdrawal, calling them bureaucratic and patronising. As shadow rapporteur for both proposals, he took part in the negotiations and warns of the consequences for citizens and Member States – despite the ESN Group’s efforts in both trilogues to tone down the drafts:
“Under the guise of road safety, the EU aimed to push through far-reaching interference in national traffic policy. However, many of the directive’s absurd proposals – such as mandatory medical checks for seniors only, age-based speed limits, or bans on SUVs and night driving for novice drivers – were successfully blocked in negotiations thanks to the centre-right majority.
In the talks on the licence withdrawal directive, we also managed to remove the originally planned EU-wide points system. This proves that resistance to excessive EU regulation can be successful.
Still, the proposed rules remain deeply problematic, representing yet another disproportionate infringement on national sovereignty – at the expense of citizens and with no real benefit to road safety.
What we need is pragmatic transport policy that ensures safety with common sense – not more red tape and top-down control from Brussels.”
A new report reveals how the European Commission is indirectly shaping public opinion through the funding of non-governmental organisations (NGOs). According to the investigation, this has led to the creation of a dense network that promotes political narratives aligned with the EU – all without public transparency. These revelations raise serious questions about the political neutrality and democratic legitimacy of this practice.
Mary Khan, Member of the European Parliament for the ESN Group, stated:
“What the EU calls ‘value promotion’ is nothing more than a massive propaganda machine, funded with millions in taxpayer money, designed to manipulate public opinion. Whether in Georgia, Bulgaria, or Romania – we see the destructive influence of the European Union everywhere: the division into ‘good’ and ‘bad’, and targeted interference in elections and political processes.
The recent revelations about the EU Commission’s covert funding of NGOs confirm what the AfD has been warning about for years: taxpayer money is being used to support organisations that spread government-aligned narratives and suppress critical voices. This network undermines democratic plurality of opinion and serves as an indirect propaganda tool of Brussels.
As AfD and ESN, we demand full transparency regarding financial flows and an end to political influence by so-called independent actors. The new U.S. administration is setting an example by dismantling similar projects on its own soil.”
The European Commission has presented its Defence White Paper alongside the €800 billion rearmament programme Rearm Europe. A central element of this strategy is the mobilisation of private savings through the so-called Savings and Investment Union (SIU) to boost investments in the defence industry. The aim is to strengthen Europe’s defence capabilities and continue support for Ukraine.
Alexander Jungbluth, Member of the European Parliament for the ESN Group, commented:
“First, the German EU Commission President von der Leyen calls for billions in European rearmament without any mandate – and now she wants to get her hands on the savings of European citizens. For years, our money has already been handed out in the form of tax contributions to Ukraine without any oversight or transparency.
But these latest demands mark a new peak: The EU not only seeks to further limit national sovereignty but now wants to redirect individual citizens’ savings into investments for the war economy.
With this, the European Commission is increasingly and openly beating the drum for a ‘total war’ in Ukraine.
As the AfD delegation, we stand for the exact opposite of this EU – for peace, the preservation of cash, national sovereignty, and the right of savers to use their money as they see fit. Not a single cent more must go to Ukraine!”
Once again, the European Parliament is hit by a corruption scandal. Dozens of private residences have been searched across several member states, offices within the European Parliament have been sealed and investigated, and MEPs and their assistants are implicated. Our MEP, Mary Khan, a member of the JURI Committee, stated:
"For the ESN Group, this comes as no surprise. Corruption is not an 'incident'; it is a core element of how the European Parliament operates.
The root of the problem lies in the EP-Bureau, where decisions are made—without any public transparency—regarding the European Parliament's staggering annual budget of 2 billion euros. Elected MEPs from ESN and Patriots have been deliberately excluded from this process.
Millions are wasted on shady real estate projects worldwide, including the purchase and rental of excessively expensive and unnecessary properties in Paris, London, and Washington, with recently planned acquisitions even in Kyiv and Moldova."
The lifting of immunity for the MEPs implicated in this latest corruption scandal will be handled by the JURI Committee. Recently, left-wing MEPs used procedural tricks to delay the removal of immunity for Italian communist MEP Ilaria Salis, who is being prosecuted in Hungary for Antifa-related terrorist attacks. Mary Khan has already warned against similar procedural maneuvers:
"We will not tolerate any further attempts by MEPs in JURI to delay the lifting of immunity for those involved in this corruption scandal. Their immunity must be revoked immediately, without delay, so that justice can take its proper course."
The Romanian presidential candidate Călin Georgescu is no longer allowed to run in the Romanian elections. This decision was made by the central electoral office in Bucharest. Georgescu had unexpectedly won the first round of the presidential elections in November 2024. Shortly before the runoff election, the Constitutional Court annulled the first round.
AfD Member of the European Parliament Petr Bystron commented:
"The EU country Romania is swiftly abolishing democracy and is receiving support from Brussels. The annulment of the first election alone is a blatant scandal and a disgrace for the country. In the new elections, Georgescu would have likely won even more decisively – which is why they are now trying to prevent him from running altogether.
Additionally, there is an effort to damage Georgescu by all means: absurd accusations from the press and the judiciary, arrests, and the undermining of free elections.
What is happening in Romania is a disgrace for the EU – which is not only watching with a smile but also actively pulling the strings in the background. The EU is revealing its true face: While violent demonstrators are being supported against the legitimately elected government in Georgia, an attempted coup is underway in Romania.
The final decision of the Constitutional Court is still pending on Wednesday – a court that already annulled the first election on flimsy grounds. The AfD delegation strongly condemns the developments in Romania. Our political vision is a free and sovereign Europe of nations, in which the will of the people is respected."
The German EU MP of the ESN faction, Markus Buchheit (AfD), responds to EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s proposal to postpone the tightening of CO₂ fleet limits:
"The increasingly rigid fleet limits for car manufacturers are making the production of internal combustion engine vehicles ever more unprofitable. This is equivalent to a de facto ban on combustion engines. To keep our automotive industry internationally competitive, we do not just need a postponement of the tightening of fleet limits, but an end to them altogether."
Buchheit sees the fleet limits and the ban on new registrations of internal combustion engine vehicles in the EU from 2035 as primarily an ideologically driven attack on individual mobility – to the detriment of citizens' prosperity and freedom.
"The European automotive industry is falling further and further behind manufacturers, particularly from China. The main reason for this is, among other things, the absurd political coercion and the ever-increasing politically induced disadvantages of location. However, European prosperity depends significantly on the performance of the European automotive industry. With these overreaching regulations, the EU is ultimately sawing off the very branch it is sitting on," Buchheit concludes.
At a government summit in London, Ursula von der Leyen called for a "massive armament" of Ukraine. To achieve this, the EU must increase defense investments over an extended period. This means that further billions will flow into Ukraine’s war preparations.
In response, Alexander Sell, MP of the ESN faction, stated:
"This EU still has not understood the signs of the times. In Europe, citizens long for peace and stability. Von der Leyen's warlike stance is completely detached from the interests of the people in Ukraine and Europe.
While the United States is engaging in dialogue with Russia and has taken a seat at the negotiating table, the EU Commission—especially under the leadership of German Commission President Ursula von der Leyen—is calling for a continuation of the bloodshed in the East.
This war must finally come to an end. It is unacceptable that this conflict is being prolonged with multi-billion aid packages at the expense of European taxpayers, while the people on the ground continue to be used as pawns in the game of international powers.
Since its founding, the ESN faction has been advocating for peace in Europe and an end to the senseless bloodshed in Ukraine. Diplomatic relations must remain possible in all directions, even in times of crisis. Closing one’s eyes to reality and hoping for Ukraine’s victory is not only dangerous but is playing with fire, risking a Third World War."
Brussels/Bucharest, February 26, 2025 – Romanian election winner Călin Georgescu has been arrested, and his election annulled. Under the flimsy pretext of "Russian influence," the EU and Romanian authorities have launched an unprecedented political persecution. Supporters are being intimidated, homes searched, and lawyers prevented from doing their jobs. A fair trial is unthinkable under such conditions.
"The EU has lost all credibility. It is sliding further and further into authoritarianism. Now the Eurocrats are showing their true face: elections are annulled, opposition figures imprisoned – democracy is being trampled on!" criticizes Petr Bystron.
Bystron demands the immediate release of Călin Georgescu and an end to political repression. "The EU must return to democracy. Those who abolish fundamental rights and free elections do not stand for European values but for dictatorship."
LIBE-committee with ESN Group votes down the left-wing political ‘guidelines’ for the 2026 EU-budget
The members of the European Parliament's Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) met on Tuesday February 18 in Brussels.
The members of the Committee were due to vote on a report, drafted by Andrzej Halicki (PPE, Poland), giving the political guidelines to the European Commission for the spending of the huge 2026 EU-budget.
These guidelines are usually approved by the majority, and disapproved by the opposition. However, in a remarkable outcome, the draft report only got 25 votes in favour, with a clear 37 against and 5 abstentions.
With this vote, the so-called ‘old majority’ in the European Parliament lies in shatters.
The ESN MEPs opposed this draft report for several reasons:
• The report calls for continued ‘direct funding to civil society organisations’, while NGOs receive €1.7 billion in European funding every year, and this funding has led to massive corruption scandals;
• The report wants to increase the Union’s support ‘to counter hate speech’, while Europe needs more freedom of speech;
• The report asked to ‘fight the spread of disinformation at a large scale and develop more effective countermeasures’, while this is a pretext for unacceptable censorship against dissident voices and opinions.
The votes of the ESN Group, represented by MEPs Ewa ZAJACZKOWSKA (Konfederacja, Poland), Mary KHAN (AfD, Germany) and Petar VOLGIN (Revival party, Bulgaria) were again crucial in making this strong signal for freedom of speech and a clear stance against mass immigration.
Washington,
February 24, 2025
CPAC 2025 - An ESN delegation visited the Conservative Congress in Washington
Every year since 1974, the Americans have organised a major gathering of conservatives from all over the world. Once again this year, a large number of prominent figures attended the event, in the context of the recent election of Donald Trump. The ESN Group in the European Parliament naturally attended the event and sent a delegation.
Members of the European Parliament from the ESN group were able to listen to President Donald Trump and other high-level speakers. The convention showed that the members of the ESN group share many of the same values as conservatives and patriots from around the world:
People's freedom. A wind of freedom is blowing through Western democracies and the ESN Group fully shares this democratic aspiration. They support messages addressed to the convention by Elon Musk and US Vice-President JD Vance. Both underlined the dangers to freedom of expression in European democracies, which was welcomed by the ESN Group.
The sovereignty of nations. The values of independence, autonomy and sovereignty of nations were also widely reiterated at CPAC. Nigel Farage called on the various nations to remain free and sovereign.
The need to install capable and effective governments. The MEPs of the ESN Group were also able to appreciate the examples set by the President of Argentina, Javier Milei, and the Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, who have succeeded, in their respective countries, in obtaining rapid results that have been acclaimed by their populations.
The will to secure the borders. Finally, the ESN delegation at CPAC listened attentively to new Border Czar of the American administration, Mr Tom Homan, who has achieved spectacular results in 4 weeks, with a 95% drop in illegal entries into the United States.
The MEPs of the ESN Group in the European Parliament came back from this event strengthened in their fight to serve their sovereign nations.
The EU secretly funneled €132.82 million to media outlets across Europe to influence the 2024 European elections, as revealed by Il Fatto Quotidiano on February 11, 2025!
Top officials Ursula von der Leyen and Roberta Metsola, with support from the EU Council, used a framework contract with Havas Media France (Vivendi Group) to distribute funds while keeping recipients and amounts hidden. No transparency, no accountability – just taxpayer money buying EU-friendly news coverage!
Major media like Rai, Mediaset, Sky, Corriere della Sera, and Repubblica were PAID for favorable articles about Brussels. Is this journalism or propaganda?
EU institutions don’t sell products, so why hire an ad agency if not to manipulate the narrative? Democracy demands transparency, not hidden payments to the press!
ESN will demand in the European Parliament full disclosure of all media that benefited from this, and a full investigation to this unprecedented illegal manipulation of the European elections by the EU itself.
This blatant manipulation of public opinion using public funds is a disgrace. Full story by Il Fatto Quotidiano: https://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/.../ben-130.../7872331/..”
The process to revoke the immunity of Italian MEP Ilaria Salis has begun. Today, the left-wing MEP must justify herself before the JURI Committee of the European Parliament regarding violent attacks in Hungary. The resulting report will determine the next steps in the procedure. Salis, elected for the Alleanza Verdi e Sinistra after a lengthy detention in Hungary, is accused of severe hammer attacks on civilians in Hungary.
Mary Khan, MEP of the ESN Group, stated:
“At the time, the video of the hammer attacks on Hungarian civilians shocked all of Europe. We are witnessing a worrying escalation of left-wing violence in many countries. It is even more outrageous when left-wing parties undermine the rule of law by abusing parliamentary immunity to set offenders free. Viktor Orbán is right to demand the revocation of Ilaria Salis' immunity – we support this demand.
Only through decisive action can we prevent political interests from undermining the rule of law and endangering the safety and freedom of our society. Ilaria Salis belongs in prison, not in Parliament.”
Brussels – AfD Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Petr Bystron is calling for an immediate investigation into the activities of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in the European Union. The background to this demand is allegations that USAID sought to influence the 2024 European elections through disinformation campaigns in several EU countries. These allegations are based on revelations by Elon Musk and Donald Trump regarding illegal practices within USAID.
"Trump has done fantastic groundwork; now we must also quickly and comprehensively uncover illegal election interference by foreign states in Europe," said Bystron. He stated that there is a strong suspicion that foreign influence has massively manipulated the composition of the EU Parliament. "The EU must relentlessly combat all forms of hybrid warfare, foreign propaganda, and disinformation."
Bystron criticized the fact that USAID-funded media had deliberately targeted opposition forces. "Our democracy must be protected from foreign influences," said the AfD politician. He argued that it is the responsibility of European institutions to investigate these manipulations and ensure the security of future elections.
The U.S. Agency for International Development is currently facing criticism for allegedly using intelligence funds to influence elections and carry out regime changes worldwide. U.S. President Donald Trump has therefore drastically cut USAID’s budget and placed all employees on leave as of February 7.
Last Wednesday, the ESN Group awarded Tamara Lich with the "Women Fighting for Freedom" prize. Tamara Lich is a Canadian political activist and one of the main organizers of the so-called "Freedom Convoy" in 2022. This protest began as a movement by truck drivers against COVID-19 vaccination mandates and expanded into a broader protest against government measures and restrictions. The AfD Member of the European Parliament in the ESN Group, Christine Anderson, commented:
"It was a great honor for our Group to welcome Mrs. Lich as a guest in Strasbourg and later award her. Tamara Lich embodies the fight against an overbearing state and for the freedom of its citizens like no one else. Even after facing the harshest sanctions from the Canadian government and being arrested during the protests in Ottawa, Tamara Lich did not let herself be intimidated. 'They picked the wrong woman,' says Tamara Lich herself, defiantly. Her courage and commitment are an inspiration to us all."
Carola Rackete loses court case against AfD-Delegation
Carola Rackete, the german Left Party’s top candidate for the European elections, has lost a legal battle against the AfD delegation in the European Parliament at the Berlin Regional Court. Rackete had sued the delegation, seeking to prevent being referred to as a “smuggler.” However, the former captain of the "Sea-Watch" has now lost in court, which ruled that "a certain factual connection" to the term cannot be denied. Markus Buchheit, a Member of the European Parliament from the AfD delegation, commented: "What the AfD has repeatedly emphasized and made public is now legally confirmed. Carola Rackete may be referred to as a smuggler. The activities of so-called sea rescuers cannot be described otherwise. Those who lure refugees into the Mediterranean off the North African coast and then bring them to Europe like a prearranged shuttle service are smugglers! We will do everything in our power to put an end to this criminal activity!"
On migration, the Europe of Sovereign Nations (ESN) group stands for a strict and restrictive migration policy. ESN opposes the centralisation of migration policy by the European Union and believes that responsibility for migration and border management should lie entirely with individual member states. ESN opposes the European redistribution mechanism for refugees and migrants as we believe it undermines the sovereignty of countries and forces us to take in migrants against our will.
ESN sees large-scale migration as a risk to national security, culture and social cohesion and calls for strict border controls and effective protection of Europe's external borders. Furthermore, the group stresses the importance of return policies, whereby migrants without the right of residence are swiftly sent back to their countries of origin. ESN also strongly opposes legal migration programmes at European level and believes that each member state should be able to decide for itself who can or cannot enter its borders.
The Federal Administrative Court in Leipzig today rescinded the ban on the association Compact-Magazin GmbH that the Federal Ministry of the Interior had imposed in July 2024 on the grounds of allegedly anti-constitutional objectives. ESN Group MEP and full member of the LIBE Committee, Mary Khan, commented:
“Constructing supposed anti-constitutional activities against a journalistic outlet that—regardless of its editorial stance—acts within the constitutionally protected freedom of expression crossed a legal line that should never be crossed in a Western democracy. This political instrumentalisation of state institutions, initiated by former Interior Minister Nancy Faeser to discipline non-left-wing media actors, has therefore been rightly and unequivocally rejected by the Federal Administrative Court today.
Especially at the European level, where efforts to curb so-called disinformation and control alternative media are gaining traction, this ruling also carries international weight. It strengthens the forces in the European Parliament that vigorously oppose the expansion of a centralised censorship and surveillance structure. Diversity of opinion is not a risk to be managed but the foundation of every functioning democracy. Today’s decision should send a clear signal to Brussels that censorship and media regulation must not become vehicles for ideological conformity.”
Petr Bystron, organiser of the “Conference of Free Media in the Bundestag” and fellow ESN Group MEP, added:
“It ought to be self-evident that media outlets are not banned in Germany. Freedom of expression and freedom of the press are constitutionally protected. The raids on Compact’s editorial offices and former Interior Minister Nancy Faeser’s attempt to ban the outlet marked an inglorious low point in the abuse of state institutions to suppress the opposition in Germany.
It is now time to address this abuse and the injustice inflicted on the victims: Faeser and her accomplices must be held accountable for abuse of office and for undermining the state—using every legal means available.”
With a new legislative proposal, the European Commission plans to make money from the “Digital Europe” and “Horizon Europe” programmes, as well as from infrastructure and cohesion funds, available for defence projects in the future. The initiative is part of the “ReArm Europe” package, which aims to expand defence spending across Europe. In total, up to €10 billion in direct EU budget funds could flow into the arms industry by 2027. Markus Buchheit, an MEP from the ESN group, comments:
“With this proposal the Commission crosses a red line: for the first time, clearly civilian research and innovation programmes are being turned into a piggy-back vehicle for rearmament. When they say ‘synergies’, they really mean cross-subsidising drones, AI weapons systems and military infrastructure—paid for with taxpayers’ money that was actually intended for digitalisation, education and sustainable development. This effectively abolishes the principle that EU funds should not flow into military hardware.
We are not talking about small change here, but about a ReArm Europe package worth up to €800 billion, flanked by further billions from digital and structural programmes. That means less money for small and medium-sized enterprises, for research into energy sources, for citizens’ digital inclusion—and instead a gigantic subsidy for the arms industry. With this, the EU loses the last shred of its moral credibility.
In general, defence must remain a core element of national sovereignty and the responsibility of the individual Member States. This plan also shows what ambitions the EU is really pursuing: the European super-state!
We will not go along with this. We demand a legally binding separation of civilian and military funds, full transparency for every euro, and democratic control by the Parliament. Europe’s future must be built on peace, innovation and prosperity, not on militarisation!”
Commenting on the report by the EU Special Envoy for Human Rights, Olof Skoog, Alexander Sell, a Member of the European Parliament from the ESN group, said:
“With his report on Israel, the EU Special Envoy for Human Rights demonstrates just how superfluous the entire system of EU envoys really is. While elections are being overturned in Europe and parties are threatened with bans, the Special Envoy is busy worrying about human-rights compliance in the Middle East.
At the same time, the von der Leyen Commission is sending hundreds of millions of euros in taxpayers’ money to Hamas-controlled authorities in Gaza or to the Islamist regime in Syria. The post of EU Special Envoy should be abolished, and the European Commission ought to represent Europeans’ interests instead of acting as a moral teacher to the world.”
Today in Strasbourg, the European Parliament will vote on the report “Electricity Grids: The Backbone of the EU Energy System.” The draft calls for more than two trillion euro in investments in Europe’s power grids by 2050, proposes stronger centralisation of grid planning at EU level and introduces new rules on grid integration. Markus Buchheit, MEP for the ESN Group, comments:
“What is being sold here as a vision of the future turns out to be a gigantic subsidy- and bureaucracy-monster. The bill ends up with families, craftspeople and industry, while Brussels offers no guarantee of security of supply, stable prices or genuine technological openness. By 2030 alone, 584 billion euro are to be spent—a self-service buffet for lobby groups, paid for by electricity customers and small businesses.
With the planned EU-wide steering, the Commission ignores the very different starting situations in the Member States. Anyone who plans grids detached from reality creates new dependencies on volatile generation, forces energy-intensive companies to relocate and drives prices even higher. Instead of allowing truly technology-neutral competition, the next green panacea is being imposed—accompanied by mountains of reporting obligations.
After the recent large-scale blackout on the Iberian Peninsula, it should be obvious to everyone that security of supply and economic prudence must take priority. Yet instead of learning lessons, Brussels is opting for even more regulations, centralism and wishful thinking. We categorically reject this report—in the interest of citizens, Europe’s industrial future and the sovereignty of the Member States.”
The ESN succeeded today in blocking billions in payments to corrupt developing countries and bringing down the so-called Seville Report in the European Parliament.
The text—formally titled “Report on Development Financing – Ahead of the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development in Seville”—had called, among other things, for unconditional debt relief for developing countries. It also advocated higher development aid contributions by EU member states, global wealth taxes, and transfer payments to mitigate climate change in nations of the southern hemisphere. Most of these costs would have fallen on European—and therefore especially German—taxpayers. The report failed to pass: the Europe of Sovereign Nations (ESN) group voted against it together with other center-right groups; in total, a majority of 340 MEPs rejected the Seville Report.
AfD MEPs Dr. Marc Jongen and Tomasz Froelich also introduced a counter-resolution that would make readmission agreements with migrants’ countries of origin a precondition for any further development funds. Their motion received 120 votes in the plenary.
Marc Jongen, ESN coordinator on the Development Committee and shadow rapporteur for the Seville Report, explained:
“The AfD’s votes make the difference! Only through our efforts was there a majority against the Seville Report, preventing further burdens on German citizens. At the same time, a clear signal is being sent: development policy must come with give-and-take. Without the readmission of migrants, no more billions should flow from Europe to Third-World countries.”
Tomasz Froelich, co-initiator of the counter-resolution, added:
“Since 1980, roughly two trillion dollars in development funds have been paid to sub-Saharan Africa, a substantial share of which is embezzled and disappears into tax havens. In light of Africa’s population explosion and our strained economic situation, the time is ripe for a paradigm shift. Sweden and the USA show that it can be done differently—the EU must follow their example.”
This week, delegates from 130 countries are gathering in Nice for the third UN Ocean Conference to advance the implementation of UN Sustainable Development Goal 14 – the protection and sustainable use of the oceans, seas, and marine resources. However, compromises between competing interests – offshore wind energy, marine ecology, deep-sea mining, and the fishing industry – threaten to significantly undermine the effectiveness of potential solutions.
At the EU level, the prevailing climate crisis ideology ensures generous funding for projects such as offshore wind farms – often an unreliable source of fluctuating electricity – while sensible initiatives like ballast water management systems to combat invasive species are financially neglected. Furthermore, the voluntary nature of many commitments leads in practice to weak enforcement and political arbitrariness.
Siegbert Droese, ESN coordinator in the European Parliament’s Fisheries Committee (PECH), commented on UNOC3:
“This week’s UN Ocean Conference in Nice is expected to produce the so-called Nice Action Plan for the Oceans. Once again, we anticipate the usual announcements of ‘sustainability initiatives’ by governments and corporations – measures that are often little more than PR stunts, neither effectively monitored nor enforced.
Rather than superficially addressing all of the world’s marine problems while solving none, the conference should focus on the greatest threat to both marine ecology and the livelihood of small-scale fisheries: illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.
Yet greenwashing schemes such as so-called Blue Carbon Markets and taxpayer-funded offshore wind farms appear to be more profitable. This imbalance fails to reflect the true value and importance of the oceans as our planet’s most vital resource.”
Today marked the conclusion of our external ESN group retreat in Bratislava.
Three intensive and inspiring days – including official receptions with the Slovak Minister of Culture, the Deputy Prime Minister, and the President of the national council.
We could feel the historical depth of Slovakia’s patriotic spirit. Perhaps it stems from the country’s eventful past: over the centuries, its lands were occupied by various foreign powers – and yet none succeeded in stripping the Slovak people of their homeland or their cultural identity.
Today, the Slovak nation stands proud, vibrant, and deeply rooted in its traditions – as it always has.
Slovakia can serve as a role model for us.
Together with Hungary, it represents a bastion of common sense – in a European Union where irrationality increasingly seems to carry the force of law.
We express our sincere thanks for the generous hospitality – and hope that Germany, too, will soon join the “Club of the Reasonable” within the EU.
For a politics rooted in the interests of one’s own people, yet always open to cooperation with neighbouring European nations – and for a Europe of fatherlands worthy of that name.
This week, Germany’s public children’s channel KiKA began airing a five-part series titled “Klimagefühle” (“Climate Emotions”). According to the broadcaster, the program aims to help children better understand emotions such as climate anxiety, anger, and guilt. The series was developed with the consultation of psychologist Katharina van Bronswijk from Psychologists for Future. The first episode aired on June 10 during the early evening slot.
Anja Arndt, Member of the European Parliament for the ESN Group, issued the following statement:
“This series deliberately instills fear in children’s bedrooms. This is not education – it is emotional manipulation, financed by mandatory broadcasting fees. Children don’t need panic; they need confidence in life!
According to the Barmer Doctor Report 2024, more and more children and adolescents are showing psychological abnormalities, including an increase in climate-related anxiety disorders. Children aged 11 to 17 are particularly affected. The report indicates that ‘disaster-oriented media content’ can intensify this development.
Children need emotional security – not daily apocalyptic scenarios in children’s programming!
A shocking extreme case illustrates the danger: In April 2025, a 16-year-old carried out an attack on a Catholic high school in Nantes, motivated by his ‘fear of ecocide.’
What might appear to be an isolated incident may in fact be the result of years of relentless climate panic indoctrination through media content.”
Therefore, we as AfD/ESN demand:
The immediate review and cancellation of the “Klimagefühle” series
A clear separation between educational content and political activism in ARD and ZDF programming
The creation of a child protection oversight body for public broadcasting content
“We reject this state-sponsored climate panic being brought into our children’s rooms.
ARD and ZDF have long betrayed their educational mandate – they must be reformed or dismantled.”
An investigative report by WELT (June 6) has revealed: The EU Commission used taxpayer money to fund environmental organizations that, under secret agreements, launched campaigns in support of Ursula von der Leyen’s Green Deal – targeting German companies.
ESN MEP Christine Anderson commented:
“This is an unprecedented case of political interference and economic damage by Brussels – yet another link in a chain of unlawful meddling by the EU in the political opinion-forming process of its Member States. It is profoundly undemocratic for the EU to misuse taxpayers’ money to align public opinion in the Member States with its own agenda.
Weeks ago, we requested that the issue of EU interference be placed on the agenda of the Special Committee on the European Democracy Shield (EUDS). That request was rejected this week by the committee coordinators.
Even more shocking: the EPP Group, along with the Greens, voted against our motion. Instead of addressing institutional abuse of power within the EU, the committee majority decided to focus on the so-called ‘democracy-threatening manosphere’.
When Brussels uses public money to finance ideological campaigns and deliberately harm national companies, it constitutes a direct attack on democracy, transparency, and economic sovereignty. The EUDS Committee’s silence, and the Christian Democrats’ ongoing refusal to address this interference, is a disgrace.”
We therefore demand:
Full disclosure of all EU Commission payments to politically active NGOs
An immediate end to the use of public funds for indirect opinion manipulation
A debate on this matter in the plenary and the EUDS Committee
Those who speak of ‘protecting democracy’ must not look away when the EU itself becomes a partisan actor – against citizens, businesses, and Member States.”
In an interview with the Donaukurier, Bernd Posselt, chairman of the Sudeten German Landsmannschaft, reaffirmed that the AfD is subject to a “ban” within the organization. Commenting on this, Petr Bystron, MEP of the ESN Group, stated:
“Bernd Posselt is merely trying to secure his own position within the Sudeten German Landsmannschaft by demonstratively excluding the AfD. He — just like the entire CDU — has long since abandoned the interests of the Sudeten Germans.
Today, the AfD is the only political force that credibly advocates for the concerns of the displaced, as the former president of the Federation of Expellees, Erika Steinbach, has repeatedly confirmed.
Posselt is attempting to co-opt the leadership of the Sudeten German Landsmannschaft for the CSU. He fears being replaced by AfD politicians because the members clearly recognize that we represent their interests better than the CSU.
Thus, excluding the AfD is the only way for Posselt to maintain his position in the organization. Otherwise, he would be voted out here just as he was voted out of the European Parliament.
This is further confirmed by the timing of the first ‘ban’ — it was imposed ten years ago, immediately after Posselt lost his seat in the European Parliament due to the rise of the AfD.”
On June 5, 2025, the EU transport ministers in Luxembourg endorsed a reform of air passenger rights: compensation will only be due after 5, 9, or 12 hours of delay, instead of after three hours as before. Consumer advocates such as the ADAC warn that around 85 percent of the compensation payments made so far would thus be eliminated. The package can only come into force after approval by the European Parliament.
Commenting on this, Siegbert Droese, MEP of the ESN Group, stated:
“Once again, the EU is leaving its citizens out in the rain. While airlines are relieved of 85 percent of compensation payments, travelers and businesses are being burdened with ever-increasing levies. In Germany alone, the rise in aviation taxes and other fees will amount to an additional 1.2 billion euros in 2025 — overall, state-imposed levies now add about 30 euros per ticket, with taxes reaching up to 70.83 euros for a single long-haul flight.
But that’s not all: our airlines are already paying around 70 euros per ton of CO₂ in the European Emissions Trading System — and from 2026, all free allowances will be phased out. Ultimately, it is families and commuters who foot the bill for this green ideology.
The EU is hitting travelers twice: slashing consumer compensation and making flying more expensive with ever new charges — clearly because this mode of transport does not fit their climate dogma.
As the AfD delegation, we will fight in the European Parliament to ensure that the current level of protection remains intact, that ticket taxes are reduced, and that unilateral green burdens are abolished. Those who destroy mobility destroy freedom and prosperity — and we will not accept that.”
Today, the European Commission presented its “Clean Industrial Deal.” The package of measures aims to make decarbonization and climate protection the driving forces behind the growth of European industry. It includes plans for lower energy prices, the creation of high-quality jobs, and improved business conditions.
Commenting on this, Markus Buchheit, MEP of the ESN Group, stated:
“What is being marketed as a Clean Deal is merely yet another attack on our industry. The Commission simply ignores the different site costs across the EU, the lack of energy security—especially in Germany—and the resulting loss of competitiveness for member states.
The endorsement of central climate goals and a CO₂-neutral industry reveals a complete denial of industrial policy realities: an EU-wide steering of ‘green’ industrial policy will only lead to severe competitive disadvantages compared to the USA and China—not to a 90% CO₂ reduction by 2040 or to a million new jobs. Terms like bureaucracy reduction and national flexibility are nothing but empty phrases in the Commission’s jargon.
Without affordable energy prices and sovereign economic strategies by the member states, there will be no globally competitive industrial production in Europe. Green Deal, Clean Deal—it doesn’t matter what these bureaucratic monstrosities are called—they merely give Brussels bureaucrats a sense of indispensability.
The results of such dirigiste models can be seen in Germany: thanks to the eco-socialists, the Federal Republic has become the sick man of Europe. Short- to medium-term prospects for recovery? Very poor!”
On Monday, Annalena Baerbock was elected President of the United Nations. Commenting on this, Petr Bystron, MEP of the ESN Group, stated:
“As Foreign Minister, Baerbock repeatedly embarrassed Germany on the international stage. In January 2023, she claimed in the Council of Europe that we were in a ‘war against Russia’—a statement that caused global diplomatic irritation. Her remark calling China’s President a ‘dictator’ also drew international criticism.
The fact that someone like Baerbock can occupy this position reflects the complete insignificance of the UN. Major decisions in global politics are made through direct negotiations among the great powers, not in multilateral organizations like the UN.
As a farewell gift, Baerbock left Germany with 36,000 Afghans, many of whom were allegedly flown in illegally under her ministry's initiatives. They are reported to be 723% more likely to commit crimes than Germans and have been involved in numerous cases of rape and murder.
It is unacceptable that, amid the societal and economic crises caused by the Greens, Germans must also finance her presidency with their tax money—paying her an annual salary of over 150,000 euros.
Instead of heading to New York, Baerbock belongs in the defendant’s seat in Germany.”
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will not attend an important meeting of international defense officials today aimed at coordinating military assistance to Ukraine. This marks a significant shift in U.S. engagement.
The announcement comes just days after a Ukrainian drone strike on five Russian airbases, which reportedly damaged 41 strategic Russian bombers. The estimated damage exceeds 6 billion euros.
So far, the White House has not commented on the attack, merely stating that it had no prior knowledge of it.
Commenting on this, Siegbert Frank Droese, an alternate member of the European Parliament’s Security and Defense Committee, stated:
“The Roman statesman and orator Marcus Tullius Cicero once said: ‘By keeping silent, you cry out loudly!’
The absence of Defense Secretary Hegseth from today’s meeting could be an indication that U.S. cooperation with Ukraine is at risk unless all parties commit to peace negotiations.
It seems highly unlikely that the United States will continue to support a conflict driven primarily by Europeans and the British indefinitely.
The EU should bear in mind that its recent increase in defense spending will, at best, make Europe only theoretically independent of U.S. military support.
We should now be open to ending a conflict that our strategic allies already deem unwinnable.”
The agreement between the European Union and Ukraine on road freight transport, currently under revision, is a proposed amendment to the existing treaty from 2022. The original purpose of the agreement was to grant Ukrainian transport companies easier access to the EU internal market, particularly to facilitate the export of Ukrainian goods to EU member states.
Commenting on this, ESN MEP Siegbert Droese stated:
“We have proposed the following revisions to the agreement:
-Effective controls at Ukrainian border crossings and on major transport routes through a strong police presence.
Continuous inspection of the technical condition of incoming vehicles.
Digital monitoring must also be ensured through comprehensive electronic document verification.
It is crucial that the EU finally takes clear measures to prevent market distortions caused by mass imports from Ukraine and to ensure that Ukrainian trucks transport only civilian goods.
We therefore state clearly: The interest in road safety and the quality of goods must finally be safeguarded for German and European consumers!”
With the Executive Order on the Deportation of Alien Enemies, U.S. President Donald Trump will deport 530,000 migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. Opponents filed lawsuits against the deportations. After legal challenges, the Supreme Court has now ruled in Trump’s favor: the U.S. Supreme Court decided that revoking the residency status of these immigrants is legitimate.
Commenting on this, Petr Bystron, Member of the ESN Group in the EU Parliament, stated:
“Donald Trump is thus able to fulfill one of his central campaign promises and continue the deportation of hundreds of thousands of illegal migrants from the United States. Across the West, people are longing for the restoration of law and order. And this can only be achieved through remigration! Trump is showing the entire world that large-scale remigration is indeed possible.
We in the AfD have been demanding such a turnaround in Europe for years. After MAGA comes MEGA – Make Europe Great Again!”
On the occasion of the presidential election in Poland, Tomasz Froelich, Deputy Head of the AfD Delegation in the EU Parliament, states:
“We congratulate Karol Nawrocki on his election victory. This prevents unchecked rule by Donald Tusk’s liberal Civic Platform, which pursues a woke, green, belligerent, and EU-subservient agenda and ruthlessly opposes the patriotic and right-wing opposition.
During the campaign, Nawrocki committed to the Konfederacja candidate Sławomir Mentzen to withdraw from the Migration Pact and the Green Deal, to refrain from sending soldiers to Ukraine, and to oppose Ukraine’s accession to NATO and the EU. He will be measured by these promises.
At the EU level, he can count on our support if he seriously pursues these goals. Our countries face similar challenges. If we are to overcome them, it would be wise to finally lay to rest the conflicts of the past.”
During a meeting of the EU’s special committee “European Democracy Shield,” extensive investments in media and fact-checking projects were proposed, ostensibly to protect freedom of the press and expression within the European Union. Funding on the order of billions is to be made available for these media outlets—also as a reaction to recent cutbacks at the U.S. development agency USAID.
ESN Group MEP Petr Bystron commented:
“We’re talking about billions that Brussels apparently intends to pour—without any real democratic oversight—into a new censorship and propaganda infrastructure. Under the guise of ‘protecting democracy,’ a vast subsidy machine is being created for government-friendly platforms and media, while critical voices continue to be excluded.
That European taxpayers are now expected to fill the gap left by USAID’s cuts is an affront to anyone who believes in genuine media diversity. Brussels presumes to decide which information is ‘good’ or ‘bad,’ which media are ‘free’ and which are ‘propaganda.’ In doing so, the EU is definitively abandoning the free marketplace of ideas.
We will oppose these plans resolutely. If the European Union were serious about press and speech freedom, it would tolerate inconvenient or foreign broadcasters instead of pumping billions into an ideological police force. Disinformation and propaganda are always blamed on others—yet with this program Brussels is institutionalizing one-sided control of opinion itself.”
Yesterday the European Parliament adopted new tariffs on agricultural products and fertilizers from Russia and Belarus by 411 votes in favor, 100 against and 78 abstentions. Most MEPs from the CDU/CSU, SPD and Greens voted for the measure, while the ESN group opposed it by a large majority.
ESN MEP Markus Buchheit commented:
“The European Union has become a prisoner of its own sanctions strategy. It is not bringing more peace and security; instead it is harming our own citizens and businesses most of all. Rather than forcing Russia to its economic knees, we are seeing falling exports, production losses and rising prices—especially for fertilizers and food. The Commission itself warns of consequences for food security, yet this misguided policy continues. We finally need the courage to abandon this wrong path and choose diplomacy over economic self-harm.”
Given the growing economic imbalance, the AfD delegation is calling for a change of course in the EU’s Russia policy. Instead of further tariffs and sanctions—whose main burden is borne by European businesses and consumers—the Union must pursue dialogue and political solutions.
Against the backdrop of the South African President’s visit with Donald Trump, Member of the European Parliament Siegbert Frank Droese views with concern the European Commission’s decision earlier this year to back South Africa with an investment package worth €4.7 billion despite glaring breaches of the rule of law. In a written question, Droese demanded a clear position from the Commission on the South African Expropriation Act, signed in January 2025, which empowers the state to seize land without compensation. The Commission’s reply, now available, remains vague. Siegbert Droese, MEP of the ESN Group, states:
“While the Commission stresses it will ‘monitor developments’, the situation on the ground has been escalating for years, and white farmers are the target of a brutal wave of violence – including routine torture, rape and murder. International human-rights organizations warn of systematic action against the white minority, yet the South African government plays it down or stays silent. Just like the red-green public in Germany and the EU, which apparently looks the other way when faced with anti-white racism.
It is a scandal: white farmers are being murdered, expropriated and deprived of their rights – and Brussels rewards this conduct with billions!
Given these conditions, many victims have already sought refuge in the United States – with the backing of U.S. President Donald Trump, who recently even hosted the South African President. Trump openly confronted him with a video documenting the violent persecution of the white minority. Meanwhile, the left-wing press mocks these people, referring to them as ‘refugees’ in quotation marks – and the EU remains silent.
Particularly revolting: the supposedly human-rights-minded EU finds no words for the crimes in South Africa. Instead, it throws taxpayers’ billions at a corrupt regime!
As long as property rights are abolished in South Africa, racist violence is down-played and tolerated, and a minority is systematically persecuted, not a single cent from Brussels should flow there. The EU makes itself complicit when it bankrolls a corrupt regime of injustice that is forcing a genocide in its own country. There must be an immediate halt to all EU investments in South Africa and an open condemnation of the Expropriation Act and the violence against white South Africans!”
Today, the European Parliament rejected an amendment tabled by ESN Group that simply reaffirmed its commitment to full transparency following the EU General Court’s recent ruling on Pfizergate.
The Court ruled on 14 May 2025 that the European Commission was wrong to withhold text messages between its President and the CEO of Pfizer—messages exchanged during vaccine procurement talks. The judgment confirmed that such messages fall under EU transparency rules and must be made public. In response, we proposed that Parliament “reiterates its full commitment to complete transparency on this matter.”
Yet, astonishingly, a majority—including nearly all Members of S&D, the Greens, and the Left, notably Daniel Freund and Martin Schirdewan—voted against this basic statement of principle.
Christine Anderson, author of the amendment and Chief Whip of the ESN Group, stated:
“Our amendment was neither controversial nor partisan. Yet, the left and green side of the House votes against it. This is a stunning display of hypocrisy. These very same MEPs publicly applauded the Court’s ruling but refused to support a basic commitment to openness when it counted. Transparency must not be a slogan—it must be a principle. We will not let this matter be swept under the rug, nor will we allow Ursula von der Leyen to escape accountability.”
The European Parliament's LIBE Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs has approved a report on the state of the rule of law in the EU in 2024.
In a highly political report, the committee approved more censorship of social networks, more funding for left-wing NGOs and condemnation of Hungary.
In a surprising vote, it was even approved that Member States that have not yet done so should introduce legal recognition of same-sex partnerships.
It could only be voted through with a left-wing majority supported by EPP votes. The ESN Group regrets that EPP members gave in to the injunctions of the left.
Legal recognition of same-sex partnerships was approved by EPP-MEPs Monika Hohlmeier (Germany), Verena Mertens (Germany), Oliver Schenk (Germany), Ioan-Rareş Bogdan (Romania), Paulo Cunha (Portugal), Rasa Juknevičienė (Lithuania), Jeroen Lenaers (The Netherlands), Jüri Ratas (Estonia), Tomas Tobé (Sweden), Maria Walsh (Ireland), Javier Zarzalejos (Spain) and Tomáš Zdechovský (Czechia).
ESN will continue to defend genuinely right-wing positions, such as the sovereignty of Member States to decide for themselves on this topic.
Milan UHRIK, MEP,
ESN coordinator in the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs
The European Commission has significantly downgraded its growth forecast for the eurozone – to 0.9% for 2025 and 1.4% for 2026. One of the main reasons is the economic weakness in Germany. ESN MEP Rada Laykova commented:
"The EU has already been in economic stagnation for about a decade. Even those 1% growths reported are mostly just the result of statistical tricks. The European Commission is quick to point fingers at the USA or Russia, but the problems in Europe are homemade. The current drastic cut in the EU’s growth forecast is yet another sign of the failure of Brussels’ current policies. Instead of strengthening the competitiveness of European companies, the Commission has pursued an ideologically driven agenda of economic self-sabotage in recent years – from excessive bureaucracy to costly climate regulations that particularly hurt our industry. Does the EU learn? No. The Draghi report only just admitted what the so-called 'EU critics' have been saying for a decade: the EU, with its doctrine of ever more planned economy, monetary distortion and regulation, is undermining Europe’s competitiveness. However, the Draghi report just admits the problem after it had become impossible to hide the economic stagnation anymore, but then demands that allegedly only 'more EU' is the solution to something which was caused by already 'too much EU'. A common trick of the EU: create a problem yourself and then spin its causality for even more control and more money for the EU.
What is especially worrying is the economic stagnation in Germany, the backbone of Europe’s economy. High energy prices – caused by the self-imposed disconnection from reliable energy sources – and a massive investment backlog are problems of the EU’s own making. An industrial economy cannot exist without cheap and reliable energy. Germany no longer has either. The Commission bears responsibility because it constantly interferes too much in national economic policies or energy imports instead of enabling independent solutions.
In light of the economic situation, the ESN Group calls for an immediate moratorium on all new EU regulations that further burden businesses, as well as a fundamental reorientation of energy policy toward affordable and secure supply for citizens and industry. In addition, we need to access some of our own sources for certain resources, especially since the EU seems to intentionally head into economic and geopolitical isolation when you read some of its newest reports. The 'intentionally' is, of course, not admitted, but can be observed. Furthermore, a return to sound fiscal policy and responsible use of EU funds is urgently needed. The EU, though, is heading for the exact opposite.”
Following significant international pressure, the British judiciary has reversed its decision: British activist Tommy Robinson is being released roughly two months before the end of his original prison sentence. His imprisonment was controversial from the start and drew criticism from around the world. Member of the European Parliament Petr Bystron is considered one of his strongest supporters. During Robinson's incarceration, Bystron visited him in England and kept the public informed about his case.
MEP Petr Bystron, a member of the ESN Group, commented:
"Tommy is not an isolated case. In the heart of Europe, people are being intimidated, censored, and criminalized for exposing wrongdoing.
I will continue to stand up for all these courageous individuals who fight for freedom of speech and justice.
I am pleased that Tommy is pressing on and already planning new initiatives. His courage inspires many.
We will never allow the truth to be suppressed—neither by court orders nor by prison walls."
Representatives of the European Parliament and the governments of the member states agreed yesterday on a phased introduction of the so-called Entry/Exit System (EES). While the European Commission and mainstream media are hailing this as a success, AfD MEP Mary Khan sees it as a disturbing revelation of the disastrous state of the EU’s external borders, which have suffered from grossly inadequate control for years:
“For several years now, the Commission has been announcing the introduction of the Entry/Exit System (EES) as a tool to improve identity verification at the EU’s external borders. The collection of biometric data and the digital registration of all entries and exits by third-country nationals is long overdue in order to ensure effective border controls, prevent multiple identities, and combat illegal migration more effectively.
But instead of taking decisive action, the Commission has repeatedly postponed the system’s implementation for years—most recently in December 2024, shifting the responsibility onto the member states, even though the original launch had been planned for 2020.
In the meantime, millions of migrants have entered illegally without their identities being thoroughly checked or registered. This has created a massive security gap that the EU has allowed to grow over the years—at the expense not only of the European population but also of our security, our values, and our future.
The catastrophic consequences of these delays reveal both an organizational failure—highlighted by the awarding of the contract to IT company Atos, formerly led by Commissioner Thierry Breton and only moderately successful in execution—and a lack of political will to address the issue of illegal mass migration.”
In a preliminary assessment, the European Commission has accused the platform TikTok of violating European digital regulations. For ESN Member of the European Parliament Mary Khan, one thing is clear: this is not a technocratic concern — it is a targeted attack on digital freedom of expression in Europe. The MEP explained:
“While U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance used the Munich Security Conference to emphatically highlight the limits of illiberal control fantasies to the EU elites, von der Leyen and her allies continue undeterred on their path of acting as a moral censorship authority. Now TikTok is under fire — a platform that many young people value precisely because of its unfiltered content, seeing it as a space for free expression.
The real reason: because parties like the AfD — and many other patriotic movements across Europe — are able to reach millions on TikTok, the Brussels power cartel sees the platform as a thorn in its side. This is no longer about data protection or regulation — it is about total control over information and opinion. Those who think critically are to be silenced.
Free speech is the Achilles’ heel of any liberal order, and today it is being attacked by Brussels under flimsy pretexts. We stand firmly and unconditionally for digital freedom of expression. The European Commission must immediately end its ideologically driven course of censorship.”
The European Court of Justice has reprimanded the EU Commission over the disappearance of text messages between Ursula von der Leyen and Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla regarding the multi-billion euro vaccine deals.
Christine Anderson, Member of the ESN Group, commented as follows:
“Today’s ruling by the EU General Court is a political earthquake in the affair surrounding the secret COVID-19 vaccine contracts. The European Commission violated the right to transparency by refusing access to text messages exchanged between Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and the CEO of Pfizer. The court has now made it clear: the deletion of these messages was unlawful.
This deliberate disregard for legal and transparency obligations cannot go unpunished. Von der Leyen’s personal misconduct is emblematic of a broader institutional failure within the Commission. Both von der Leyen and the Commission must be held accountable. A parliamentary committee of inquiry must now be established – with real powers, including the authority to compel von der Leyen to testify under oath. Only such a process can ensure genuine and comprehensive accountability.
As early as 2023, the European Parliament’s COVID Committee sought to question the Commission President – but she refused to appear. That cannot and must not be the end of the matter.
Those who hold positions of responsibility must not be allowed to evade scrutiny. The EU must now prove that it has learned from this scandal – or it risks permanently losing the trust of its citizens.”
The ESN Group in the European Parliament warmly congratulates Pope Leo XIV on his election and extends its heartfelt wishes for a pontificate marked by blessing and strength. As the spiritual leader of more than one billion Catholics, he assumes a responsibility of historic and global significance.
The co-president of the ESN Group, René Aust, explains:
„Especially in times of societal disorientation, the voice of the Church can serve as a vital compass and anchor.
May Pope Leo XIV, with wisdom, courage, and the help of God, strengthen the bond between faith, truth, and freedom in Europe.
May God protect Pope Leo XIV.“
On May 8, 2025, the European Parliament voted with 371 in favor, 162 against, and 37 abstentions to downgrade the protection status of the wolf across the EU from “strictly protected” to “protected.” This change gives member states greater flexibility to remove problematic animals, provided that the species maintains a favorable conservation status. Support came primarily from agricultural sectors and conservative MEPs, while Greens, WWF, and other animal protection organizations warned of a setback for species conservation. After formal approval by the Council of Ministers, member states will have 18 months to transpose the change into national law.
Commenting on this, Anja Arndt, MEP of the ESN Group, stated:
“With this decision, Parliament is finally addressing the real challenges faced in our rural regions. We are giving member states a flexible tool to take the legitimate concerns of livestock farmers seriously, without demonizing the wolf across the board. The downgrading of the protection status is a welcome step, especially for farming operations and alpine pastoralism. At last, a path is being cleared to protect grazing animals, family-run farms, and tourism from increasing attacks.
Once again, the voting behavior of the Greens reveals their detachment from reality: ideological dogmas are being placed above the existential fears of people in rural areas.
Now Berlin must act immediately and use this new flexibility to grant uncomplicated shooting permits for problem wolves. The announced 18-month period must not be used as an excuse to delay action.”
Today, the European Parliament was scheduled to decide whether to extend the trade protection measures suspended since 2022 for certain Ukrainian products — including steel — once again. Critics fear that the tariff-free import regime continues to undermine the competitiveness of European farmers, steel companies, and small and medium-sized enterprises. An open letter from the Steel Pipe Industry Association (WVSR) to all Members of the European Parliament warns of “disastrous consequences” for EU industry and urges rejection of the extension.
The Europe of Sovereign Nations (ESN) Group has therefore submitted a procedural motion to postpone the vote in order to allow for a more in-depth assessment of the economic impact. ESN MEP Prof. Dr. Hans Neuhoff stated:
“We have requested that the planned vote on further tariff suspensions for imports from Ukraine be postponed. Otherwise, our domestic economy — from family-run farms to medium-sized industries and the steel sector — would come under massive pressure.
Ukraine produces with dumping wages and without comparable environmental or social standards. If their goods continue to enter the EU unchecked, we risk jobs and value creation across Europe.
The open letter from the Steel Pipe Industry Association clearly highlights these concerns. We reacted quickly and took the concerns of small and medium-sized enterprises seriously. Unfortunately, many MEPs — particularly from the usual camps of the traditional parties — once again prioritized the interests of Ukraine over those of their own nations. The necessary votes to approve our motion for postponement were not secured — yet another nail in the coffin for the German economy.”
On May 6, 2025, the Europe of Sovereign Nations (ESN) Group, meeting in Strasbourg, unanimously welcomed the candidacy of Mr Volker Schnurrbusch, who becomes the 27th member of the ESN Group.
Volker Schnurrbusch is a German Member of the European Parliament and a member of Alternative für Deutschland (AFD). He joined the European Parliament at the beginning of April 2025 and has sat until now as a non-attached Member.
This is the second expansion of the ESN Group in less than six months, following the integration of Milan Mazurek in January 2025.
It has been officially confirmed today: The request to establish a committee of inquiry into the EU Commission's vaccine contracts — in particular the controversial Pfizer deals under Ursula von der Leyen — has reached the required 180 supporters in the European Parliament. The request, titled “TRAC – Transparency and Accountability,” will now be submitted to the Conference of Presidents for further decision in accordance with Article 215 of the Rules of Procedure.
The planned committee is intended to thoroughly investigate:
• the EU Commission’s vaccine negotiations, particularly the personal SMS communications between the Commission President and Pfizer,
• alleged corruption cases such as Qatargate and Huaweigate,
• as well as the influence exerted by non-governmental organizations funded by the Commission.
Christine Anderson, Member of the European Parliament for the ESN Group, stated:
“One of my key priorities during this legislative term has been the review of COVID-19 policies, especially regarding vaccine procurement. Citizens have a right to know how multi-billion euro contracts with liability waivers could be concluded via text message. This committee will shine a light on the dark corners of corruption within the Commission — not only in relation to vaccines but also concerning the influence of Chinese companies and Gulf states.
Now it is up to the European Christian Democrats, Social Democrats, Greens, and Leftists to decide whether they will heed our call for transparency, accountability, and political responsibility — or continue to beat the drum of so-called transparency while failing to act themselves.
My special thanks go to the Patriots for Europe group, who contributed greatly to mobilizing support and bringing this issue firmly onto the agenda. Together, we now demand: full transparency, thorough investigation, and political accountability regarding external influence, conflicts of interest, and possible legal violations within the EU institutions.”
The European Commission has presented plans aiming to completely end Russian gas imports by 2027 at the latest. In two phases, the short-term trade of Russian gas on the spot market will be prohibited starting at the end of 2025, and the signing of new contracts will also be banned. By the end of 2027, no gas at all should be imported from Russia into the EU.
Anja Arndt expresses strong criticism of this initiative. From her perspective, it is a morally motivated but inconsistent approach, as liquefied natural gas (LNG) from countries like the USA or Qatar is still being imported. According to Arndt, this fuel is not only more expensive but also especially harmful to the environment due to the energy-intensive liquefaction process and long-distance transport. She also warns of increasing dependence on new energy suppliers and criticizes the burden on consumers due to high energy prices.
The ESN Member of the European Parliament, Anja Arndt, comments:
“The EU talks about climate protection and dependencies – while creating new dependencies on global corporations and third countries, as domestic industries are brought to their knees.
This policy harms Germany twice: economically and ecologically. The pipeline infrastructure, which was reliable, efficient, and costly, is being sacrificed for ideological reasons. Instead of rational energy policy, we get green planned economy and EU double standards. Anyone who truly wants to represent German interests and protect the environment must decisively oppose this madness”
A request has been filed to lift the parliamentary immunity of AfD Member of the European Parliament Petr Bystron. The investigations are based on allegations for which, despite 21 house searches, no credible evidence has been presented so far. The AfD delegation considers the process politically motivated and sees it as an attempt to discredit a committed European politician. On this matter, ESN Group MEP Petr Bystron himself declares:
"The planned withdrawal of my immunity is not a procedure in accordance with the rule of law, but a targeted political maneuver. The fact that 21 searches have not yielded a single substantial piece of evidence illustrates the baselessness of the accusations. We are witnessing a coordinated campaign to criminalize my peace-oriented views. While in the USA under President Trump, destabilization networks such as USAID are being uncovered and curtailed, the EU is actively participating in the persecution of opposition voices.
The public prosecutor should not investigate the victims of this campaign, but its masterminds. I stand for peace, freedom of expression, and an independent judiciary. Germany must return to democracy and the rule of law."
On April 28, 2025, an unprecedented power outage occurred across the entire Iberian Peninsula. Millions of people in Spain and Portugal were left without electricity for hours. The cause was the high proportion of solar power in the Spanish energy grid.
Markus Buchheit, Member of the European Parliament from the ESN Group, commented:
"The blackout in Spain and Portugal is a wake-up call for all of Europe. The energy transition must not come at the expense of supply security. Supply security and system stability must be top priorities. Ideological considerations must not be placed above the fundamental need for a secure power supply. From our point of view, it is therefore urgently necessary to thoroughly and promptly review grid stability and existing reserve capacities in Germany and Europe to identify potential weaknesses early and minimize the risk of widespread blackouts. Only with flexible and controllable large-scale power plants can we ensure that the power system functions reliably, even with highly fluctuating input from renewable energy sources, and that peak loads can be safely absorbed."
ESN MEP Anja Arndt added:
"The excessive expansion of wind and solar energy is directly responsible for this blackout and must be stopped immediately in our country as well. We need to return to a reliable, baseload-capable energy supply – for the safety of our citizens in Germany and the entire European Union."
The European Parliament operates 15 “Experience Europe” centres in which it promotes itself as an institution. The investment costs exceed €110 million, with a further €18 million in annual running costs. Another 14 centres are planned, meaning the total expenditure will rise sharply. These figures emerged from a parliamentary question submitted by AfD MEP Alexander Jungbluth.
The ESN-group budget spokesman commented:
“It is outrageous how the EU squanders taxpayers’ money to put itself in the spotlight. While constantly telling citizens they need to tighten their belts, the ladies and gentlemen in Brussels and Strasbourg treat themselves to luxurious self-glorification temples at taxpayers’ expense. The fact that President Metsola answered my question only after several reminders shows she fears the public’s reaction. I will continue to make sure that citizens learn about the European Parliament’s drastic waste of taxes for propaganda purposes.”
The ESN Group firmly rejected the European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP), adopted last Thursday in the Committees on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) and on Security and Defence (SEDE). The Group voted unanimously against the report, which passed with 70 votes in favour, 46 against, and 8 abstentions.
From the ESN’s perspective, the EDIP violates the principle of national sovereignty and leads to further centralisation of defence policy at EU level. The planned increase in national contributions and the obligation to conduct joint procurement — with the goal of achieving at least 40 per cent of military procurement jointly by 2030 — undermine Member States’ freedom of decision and place an additional burden of €1.5 billion on national budgets via the EU budget. While the introduction of a “Buy European” principle, requiring 70 per cent of value creation within the EU, is welcome in principle, it is not sufficient to protect the interests of individual nations.
The ESN Group also criticises the integration of Ukraine into the European defence industry as risky and politically motivated. Rather than further communitisation, the ESN Group calls for a consistent strengthening of national defence industries and a return to a policy of national responsibility.
Markus Buchheit, Member of the European Parliament for the ESN Group, stated:
“The security of Europe is the responsibility of sovereign nation-states, not the Brussels bureaucracy. The EDIP is another step towards a European army, which we firmly reject. We stand for national sovereignty, democratic oversight, and a responsible defence policy to ensure the safety of our citizens.
The ESN Group will continue to advocate for the preservation of sovereignty and the interests of Europe’s nations."
A 15-year-old student killed a 17-year-old female classmate with a hunting knife and seriously injured three other students at a Catholic high school in Nantes. A teacher reportedly managed to overpower him with a table. According to media reports, shortly before the attack, the suspected perpetrator sent a 13-page manifesto titled "Immune Action" to his classmates, in which he denounced environmental destruction, social alienation, and "totalitarian social conditioning." He called for a "biological revolt" — even at the cost of innocent lives.
Commenting on this, Anja Arndt, Member of the European Parliament from the ESN Group, stated:
"The climate hysteria, also propagated by the European Parliament, is causing more and more young people to despair. The number of depressed young people is skyrocketing. The BARMER health insurance company, together with the SINUS Institute, conducted a study to examine 'the effects of climate change' on the mental health of young people. The results show that climate anxiety is now widespread among adolescents. 36% of surveyed young people reported experiencing severe anxiety about climate change (levels 8–10 on a ten-point scale), while another 27% reported moderate anxiety (levels 6–7). Only 16% stated that they had no anxiety (levels 1–3).
It is not alleged climate fluctuations that frighten our young people, but the irresponsible reporting by the media and misleading statements by politicians. Climate policy, which often is not based on scientific facts but rather on green-left ideology and fearmongering, unsettles and burdens our citizens. It not only leads to poverty and illness but also fosters the emergence of more climate extremists in the long term. In France, this climate hysteria has now even led to a rampage with dead and injured.
No one can have an interest in seeing our young people further frightened, unsettled, or even radicalized by this green-left ideology. We, the ESN Group in the European Parliament, say: Enough with irresponsible climate policy! Enough with the Green Deal!"
AfD Member of the European Parliament Petr Bystron visited imprisoned British activist Tommy Robinson yesterday at Woodhill Prison. Robinson has repeatedly faced repression due to his documentaries critical of Islam.
"Tommy Robinson is a political prisoner. He was convicted for distributing his video 'Silencer', even though several witnesses confirmed the truthfulness of the video in court. Robinson was imprisoned because he refused to withdraw the video. That is true civil courage! Despite this unjust treatment and the grueling conditions of solitary confinement, Robinson remains steadfast and intends to continue his fight for freedom of speech even after his release.
In doing so, he is also fighting for us, because the growing restrictions on freedom of speech across Europe have reached alarming levels. Just like in the UK, opposition figures and government-critical journalists are being suppressed and persecuted in the EU as well — the imprisonment of the blogger Shlomo and the suspended seven-month prison sentence for the editor-in-chief of Deutschland Kurier, David Bendels, for a satirical post, are just the latest examples from Germany.
In the European Parliament, we are fighting to ensure that voices like Tommy Robinson's are heard. We will not forget these individuals and will continue to advocate for the defense of freedom of speech and the depoliticization of the judiciary."
The European Commission is planning to introduce an annual mandatory inspection for all cars older than ten years. The aim of this measure is to improve road safety. However, the proposal still needs to be approved by the European Parliament and the EU member states before it can come into effect. Regarding this, ESN MEP Siegbert Droese stated:
"This proposal is yet another attack on the freedom and prosperity of our citizens. Instead of providing relief, it imposes an additional financial burden. Those who cannot afford a new car will be the ones punished by this measure.
It is unacceptable that the European Commission continues to harass citizens with ever more regulations and restrict individual mobility. Existing regulations are sufficient — this is a blatant attempt to push a green agenda under the guise of road safety and to further restrict individual mobility.
We call on the EU institutions to immediately withdraw this proposal, and we will vote against this senseless initiative in Parliament."
According to a response to a parliamentary question by MEP Alexander Jungbluth, the EU refuses to repatriate Syrian refugees to their home country.
Commenting on this, Alexander Jungbluth, Member of the European Parliament for the ESN Group, states:
“It took the EU Commission a full four months to respond to my inquiry. And the answer is sobering! Despite the regime change in Syria and the disappearance of the original grounds for fleeing the Assad government, the EU is not planning any repatriations.
For the EU, it apparently makes no difference whether an asylum seeker still has valid grounds for protection or not. The asylum system continues to serve only one purpose: to flood the EU with largely unqualified and culturally alien migrants. Once again, this response shows that the EU has no real interest in ending mass migration in the interest of its own citizens.”
The EU Commission plans to ease key elements of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and promises to reduce bureaucracy for European farmers. What may seem like a course correction at first glance is, in reality, an admission of political failure.
Arno Bausemer, Member of the European Parliament for the ESN Group and member of the Agriculture Committee, explains:
“For years, the Commission has systematically destroyed European agriculture through overregulation. Countless farmers have had to give up their farms – not due to a lack of performance, but because of an ideologically driven agricultural policy from Brussels. Now, the Commission is being tripped up by its own policies. The fact that measures such as GAEC standards are now to be watered down shows just how misguided the previous course was.
Despite the planned relief measures, the Commission’s overall direction remains questionable. Even the Directorate-General itself warns of the loss of oversight capabilities, and ideologically motivated climate regulations continue to play a central role in the agricultural sector.
Questionable steps such as the proposed tariffs on fertilizer imports from Russia further demonstrate that the EU Commission is not genuinely concerned with safeguarding European agriculture. Our farmers depend on this affordable fertilizer to maintain their competitiveness and must no longer be used as pawns in senseless political proxy wars.
Tinkering with a few minor adjustments is not enough when the ideological foundation remains intact. As long as climate ideology takes precedence over practical solutions, nothing will fundamentally change for Europe’s farmers.”
The EU has approved an aid package worth 1.6 billion euros for the Palestinian Authority. The funds are intended to support reforms, reconstruction, and administrative structures in the region, particularly in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The EU emphasizes that the money is tied to a willingness to reform — but no concrete conditions have been specified. Commenting on this, Alexander Jungbluth, MEP from the ESN group, states:
“Widespread corruption, barely functioning administration, and areas partly controlled by the radical Islamist Hamas — that’s where the EU wants to send 1.6 billion euros of European taxpayer money.
How the money will actually be used is almost impossible to monitor or even track transparently. While the EU talks about necessary reforms, it remains vague beyond that. As a general rule, aid to foreign countries should always be tied to the concept of remigration — in this case, the return of criminal and deportable Palestinians from Europe. That would actually be of help to Europe!”
The European Commission has launched a four-week public consultation to update its “Nuclear Illustrative Programme” (PNIC). The goal is to present a revised strategic document in the second quarter, outlining future investment needs in the European nuclear sector. The focus includes the construction of new reactors, lifetime extensions for existing plants, the management of radioactive waste, and the development of new technologies such as Small Modular Reactors and nuclear fusion. The backdrop to this initiative is the renewed interest in nuclear power among many EU member states.
Markus Buchheit, Member of the European Parliament from the ESN Group, comments:
“Even the European Commission – usually responsible for climate-ideological experiments like the Green Deal – is now backing the expansion of nuclear energy. Meanwhile, Germany continues on its isolated and ideologically driven path of phasing out nuclear power. This is not only disconnected from reality – it is extremely dangerous for our economic competitiveness.
The EU rightly recognizes that nuclear energy is an indispensable pillar for affordable, stable, and low-carbon electricity supply. New reactors, new technologies, more research, and targeted investments: other European countries are preparing for the future. And Germany? It is the only industrialized nation to completely shut down its functioning nuclear power plants – despite skyrocketing electricity prices, growing dependence on energy imports, and clear risks to energy security and the economy.
This ideological refusal to face reality harms not only the German people but also massively undermines our economic competitiveness. It is high time that Berlin wakes up: without nuclear energy, there can be no secure, independent, or future-proof energy supply – neither in Germany nor anywhere else.
We call on the German government to stop denying reality, reverse the nuclear phase-out, and finally act in a technologically open and responsible manner.”
The case of the rejected Eritrean asylum seeker Kahlid O., currently the subject of media attention, once again raises questions about German asylum policy. Despite entering via safe third countries and having his asylum application rejected, he committed several criminal offenses. After serving a prison sentence and receiving release payments, he reoffended. Deportation is currently considered unlikely, as Eritrea refuses to provide identification. The man is now receiving psychiatric treatment at the state's expense and remains in Germany. Regarding this, ESN parliamentary group MEP Mary Khan states:
“Countries like Eritrea have received millions of euros in aid payments from the European Union for years, yet refuse to take back their rejected nationals once their asylum claims are denied.
Germany must immediately part ways with the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act! Asylum seekers should no longer receive monetary benefits but should instead only receive in-kind benefits for the duration of their procedures.
As long as the federal government is not willing to act, benefits for rejected asylum seekers must be suspended, foreign remittances to their countries of origin must be immediately banned, and pressure on countries of origin must be increased by suspending aid payments.
Countries like Eritrea that actively prevent the return of rejected asylum seekers must no longer be rewarded for their behavior.”
According to plans by the EU’s chief diplomat Kaja Kallas, €40 billion are to be allocated for the continued armament of Ukrainian armed forces. Her proposal includes joint financing based on a distribution key that takes into account the gross national income of each EU member state. Following the latest Russian attacks, the proposal is once again gaining attention among several member states.
MEP Petr Bystron of the ESN group commented:
“The EU wants to finance the Ukrainian war machinery with another €40 billion – and Germany is supposed to pay for it. Under Ms. Kallas's distribution key, Germany would bear the lion’s share, meaning German taxpayers would be disproportionately burdened. We reject that. Instead of Germany supplying money for ammunition and prolonging the dying, we as the AfD delegation are calling for a diplomatic solution. Not a single additional euro of German taxpayer money should go to Ukraine!
This is all the more true now that the United States under President Trump is advocating for a negotiated solution to the conflict. It is disturbing that the EU so stubbornly refuses to recognize the signs of the times and contribute to a diplomatic resolution of the conflict.”
The European Court of Auditors criticizes the lack of transparency in the allocation of EU funding to non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Between 2021 and 2023, NGOs received around 7.4 billion euros, with 4.8 billion euros coming directly from the EU Commission. The report points out that there is no clear overview of how these funds are used, especially regarding lobbying activities and adherence to EU values by the NGOs. Additionally, there is no consistent definition of NGOs, further hindering transparency.
EU Member of Parliament Mary Khan of the ESN Group states:
"What has been uncovered here is a scandal: Left-wing networks are being funded with billions to push the ideological goals of the EU Commission and national governments – far from any democratic accountability.
The allocation of these funds is happening without any transparency and in the billions. The EU Commission repeatedly positions itself as a moral compass while harshly criticizing states that oppose it. However, the reality is quite the opposite. The EU Commission operates far from any democratic rules, as the latest report from the European Court of Auditors reveals.
As part of the ESN Group, we have made it our mission to expose this swamp. Whether this new scandal is just the tip of the iceberg remains to be seen. We will certainly continue to dig deeper."
The response from the European Commission to a written question by ESN Member of the European Parliament Mary Khan is sobering. Mary Khan wanted to know the financial burden in the areas of healthcare, housing, education, security, and social welfare. Instead of answers, she received vague phrases and ignorance. Mary Khan comments:
“‘We don’t know – and we don’t want to know.’ These words sum up the response of the European Commission and Commissioner Magnus Brunner briefly and clearly.”
Apparently, Brussels fears the political explosive power of honest figures. Every year, hundreds of thousands of illegal migrants enter the EU – yet no one wants to know what this costs. Those who don’t count, don’t have to take responsibility. And those who don’t measure, can gloss over everything. The refusal to provide any transparency is a slap in the face to European taxpayers.
I therefore call for an independent, country-specific, and transparent cost analysis of illegal migration. Anyone who wants to talk about migration must also talk about its consequences – honestly, based on data, and without ideological filters. Anything else is political window dressing at the expense of the citizens.
The ESN Group has submitted a motion for a European Parliament resolution calling for a strong and united response to what it sees as Germany’s departure from financial stability. The initiative highlights concerns over Germany’s use of “Sondervermögen” (special funds) and its potential impact on EU fiscal rules and overall economic stability.
Alexander Jungbluth, Member of the European Parliament for the ESN Group and member of the BUDG Committee, stated:
“The debt binge we are currently witnessing in Germany endangers not only the country’s own stability but also that of the entire European financial system. That’s why, together with the European Parliament, we are calling on the Commission to take action to ensure that the Federal Republic of Germany complies with existing EU law and stops violating the Maastricht criteria.
If the European Parliament wants to maintain its credibility when it comes to upholding European rules and laws, our resolution must be taken seriously and negotiated across party lines. There can only be one conclusion: under the leadership of Friedrich Merz, the German government is not only jeopardizing the future of its own citizens and generations to come, but also playing with the financial and economic security of the entire Eurozone.”
Siegbert Droese (ESN/AfD), Member of the European Parliament, strongly criticises the proposed EU directive on driving licence reform as well as the directive on licence withdrawal, calling them bureaucratic and patronising. As shadow rapporteur for both proposals, he took part in the negotiations and warns of the consequences for citizens and Member States – despite the ESN Group’s efforts in both trilogues to tone down the drafts:
“Under the guise of road safety, the EU aimed to push through far-reaching interference in national traffic policy. However, many of the directive’s absurd proposals – such as mandatory medical checks for seniors only, age-based speed limits, or bans on SUVs and night driving for novice drivers – were successfully blocked in negotiations thanks to the centre-right majority.
In the talks on the licence withdrawal directive, we also managed to remove the originally planned EU-wide points system. This proves that resistance to excessive EU regulation can be successful.
Still, the proposed rules remain deeply problematic, representing yet another disproportionate infringement on national sovereignty – at the expense of citizens and with no real benefit to road safety.
What we need is pragmatic transport policy that ensures safety with common sense – not more red tape and top-down control from Brussels.”
A new report reveals how the European Commission is indirectly shaping public opinion through the funding of non-governmental organisations (NGOs). According to the investigation, this has led to the creation of a dense network that promotes political narratives aligned with the EU – all without public transparency. These revelations raise serious questions about the political neutrality and democratic legitimacy of this practice.
Mary Khan, Member of the European Parliament for the ESN Group, stated:
“What the EU calls ‘value promotion’ is nothing more than a massive propaganda machine, funded with millions in taxpayer money, designed to manipulate public opinion. Whether in Georgia, Bulgaria, or Romania – we see the destructive influence of the European Union everywhere: the division into ‘good’ and ‘bad’, and targeted interference in elections and political processes.
The recent revelations about the EU Commission’s covert funding of NGOs confirm what the AfD has been warning about for years: taxpayer money is being used to support organisations that spread government-aligned narratives and suppress critical voices. This network undermines democratic plurality of opinion and serves as an indirect propaganda tool of Brussels.
As AfD and ESN, we demand full transparency regarding financial flows and an end to political influence by so-called independent actors. The new U.S. administration is setting an example by dismantling similar projects on its own soil.”
The European Commission has presented its Defence White Paper alongside the €800 billion rearmament programme Rearm Europe. A central element of this strategy is the mobilisation of private savings through the so-called Savings and Investment Union (SIU) to boost investments in the defence industry. The aim is to strengthen Europe’s defence capabilities and continue support for Ukraine.
Alexander Jungbluth, Member of the European Parliament for the ESN Group, commented:
“First, the German EU Commission President von der Leyen calls for billions in European rearmament without any mandate – and now she wants to get her hands on the savings of European citizens. For years, our money has already been handed out in the form of tax contributions to Ukraine without any oversight or transparency.
But these latest demands mark a new peak: The EU not only seeks to further limit national sovereignty but now wants to redirect individual citizens’ savings into investments for the war economy.
With this, the European Commission is increasingly and openly beating the drum for a ‘total war’ in Ukraine.
As the AfD delegation, we stand for the exact opposite of this EU – for peace, the preservation of cash, national sovereignty, and the right of savers to use their money as they see fit. Not a single cent more must go to Ukraine!”
Once again, the European Parliament is hit by a corruption scandal. Dozens of private residences have been searched across several member states, offices within the European Parliament have been sealed and investigated, and MEPs and their assistants are implicated. Our MEP, Mary Khan, a member of the JURI Committee, stated:
"For the ESN Group, this comes as no surprise. Corruption is not an 'incident'; it is a core element of how the European Parliament operates.
The root of the problem lies in the EP-Bureau, where decisions are made—without any public transparency—regarding the European Parliament's staggering annual budget of 2 billion euros. Elected MEPs from ESN and Patriots have been deliberately excluded from this process.
Millions are wasted on shady real estate projects worldwide, including the purchase and rental of excessively expensive and unnecessary properties in Paris, London, and Washington, with recently planned acquisitions even in Kyiv and Moldova."
The lifting of immunity for the MEPs implicated in this latest corruption scandal will be handled by the JURI Committee. Recently, left-wing MEPs used procedural tricks to delay the removal of immunity for Italian communist MEP Ilaria Salis, who is being prosecuted in Hungary for Antifa-related terrorist attacks. Mary Khan has already warned against similar procedural maneuvers:
"We will not tolerate any further attempts by MEPs in JURI to delay the lifting of immunity for those involved in this corruption scandal. Their immunity must be revoked immediately, without delay, so that justice can take its proper course."
The Romanian presidential candidate Călin Georgescu is no longer allowed to run in the Romanian elections. This decision was made by the central electoral office in Bucharest. Georgescu had unexpectedly won the first round of the presidential elections in November 2024. Shortly before the runoff election, the Constitutional Court annulled the first round.
AfD Member of the European Parliament Petr Bystron commented:
"The EU country Romania is swiftly abolishing democracy and is receiving support from Brussels. The annulment of the first election alone is a blatant scandal and a disgrace for the country. In the new elections, Georgescu would have likely won even more decisively – which is why they are now trying to prevent him from running altogether.
Additionally, there is an effort to damage Georgescu by all means: absurd accusations from the press and the judiciary, arrests, and the undermining of free elections.
What is happening in Romania is a disgrace for the EU – which is not only watching with a smile but also actively pulling the strings in the background. The EU is revealing its true face: While violent demonstrators are being supported against the legitimately elected government in Georgia, an attempted coup is underway in Romania.
The final decision of the Constitutional Court is still pending on Wednesday – a court that already annulled the first election on flimsy grounds. The AfD delegation strongly condemns the developments in Romania. Our political vision is a free and sovereign Europe of nations, in which the will of the people is respected."
The German EU MP of the ESN faction, Markus Buchheit (AfD), responds to EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s proposal to postpone the tightening of CO₂ fleet limits:
"The increasingly rigid fleet limits for car manufacturers are making the production of internal combustion engine vehicles ever more unprofitable. This is equivalent to a de facto ban on combustion engines. To keep our automotive industry internationally competitive, we do not just need a postponement of the tightening of fleet limits, but an end to them altogether."
Buchheit sees the fleet limits and the ban on new registrations of internal combustion engine vehicles in the EU from 2035 as primarily an ideologically driven attack on individual mobility – to the detriment of citizens' prosperity and freedom.
"The European automotive industry is falling further and further behind manufacturers, particularly from China. The main reason for this is, among other things, the absurd political coercion and the ever-increasing politically induced disadvantages of location. However, European prosperity depends significantly on the performance of the European automotive industry. With these overreaching regulations, the EU is ultimately sawing off the very branch it is sitting on," Buchheit concludes.
At a government summit in London, Ursula von der Leyen called for a "massive armament" of Ukraine. To achieve this, the EU must increase defense investments over an extended period. This means that further billions will flow into Ukraine’s war preparations.
In response, Alexander Sell, MP of the ESN faction, stated:
"This EU still has not understood the signs of the times. In Europe, citizens long for peace and stability. Von der Leyen's warlike stance is completely detached from the interests of the people in Ukraine and Europe.
While the United States is engaging in dialogue with Russia and has taken a seat at the negotiating table, the EU Commission—especially under the leadership of German Commission President Ursula von der Leyen—is calling for a continuation of the bloodshed in the East.
This war must finally come to an end. It is unacceptable that this conflict is being prolonged with multi-billion aid packages at the expense of European taxpayers, while the people on the ground continue to be used as pawns in the game of international powers.
Since its founding, the ESN faction has been advocating for peace in Europe and an end to the senseless bloodshed in Ukraine. Diplomatic relations must remain possible in all directions, even in times of crisis. Closing one’s eyes to reality and hoping for Ukraine’s victory is not only dangerous but is playing with fire, risking a Third World War."
Brussels/Bucharest, February 26, 2025 – Romanian election winner Călin Georgescu has been arrested, and his election annulled. Under the flimsy pretext of "Russian influence," the EU and Romanian authorities have launched an unprecedented political persecution. Supporters are being intimidated, homes searched, and lawyers prevented from doing their jobs. A fair trial is unthinkable under such conditions.
"The EU has lost all credibility. It is sliding further and further into authoritarianism. Now the Eurocrats are showing their true face: elections are annulled, opposition figures imprisoned – democracy is being trampled on!" criticizes Petr Bystron.
Bystron demands the immediate release of Călin Georgescu and an end to political repression. "The EU must return to democracy. Those who abolish fundamental rights and free elections do not stand for European values but for dictatorship."
LIBE-committee with ESN Group votes down the left-wing political ‘guidelines’ for the 2026 EU-budget
The members of the European Parliament's Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) met on Tuesday February 18 in Brussels.
The members of the Committee were due to vote on a report, drafted by Andrzej Halicki (PPE, Poland), giving the political guidelines to the European Commission for the spending of the huge 2026 EU-budget.
These guidelines are usually approved by the majority, and disapproved by the opposition. However, in a remarkable outcome, the draft report only got 25 votes in favour, with a clear 37 against and 5 abstentions.
With this vote, the so-called ‘old majority’ in the European Parliament lies in shatters.
The ESN MEPs opposed this draft report for several reasons:
• The report calls for continued ‘direct funding to civil society organisations’, while NGOs receive €1.7 billion in European funding every year, and this funding has led to massive corruption scandals;
• The report wants to increase the Union’s support ‘to counter hate speech’, while Europe needs more freedom of speech;
• The report asked to ‘fight the spread of disinformation at a large scale and develop more effective countermeasures’, while this is a pretext for unacceptable censorship against dissident voices and opinions.
The votes of the ESN Group, represented by MEPs Ewa ZAJACZKOWSKA (Konfederacja, Poland), Mary KHAN (AfD, Germany) and Petar VOLGIN (Revival party, Bulgaria) were again crucial in making this strong signal for freedom of speech and a clear stance against mass immigration.
Washington,
February 24, 2025
CPAC 2025 - An ESN delegation visited the Conservative Congress in Washington
Every year since 1974, the Americans have organised a major gathering of conservatives from all over the world. Once again this year, a large number of prominent figures attended the event, in the context of the recent election of Donald Trump. The ESN Group in the European Parliament naturally attended the event and sent a delegation.
Members of the European Parliament from the ESN group were able to listen to President Donald Trump and other high-level speakers. The convention showed that the members of the ESN group share many of the same values as conservatives and patriots from around the world:
People's freedom. A wind of freedom is blowing through Western democracies and the ESN Group fully shares this democratic aspiration. They support messages addressed to the convention by Elon Musk and US Vice-President JD Vance. Both underlined the dangers to freedom of expression in European democracies, which was welcomed by the ESN Group.
The sovereignty of nations. The values of independence, autonomy and sovereignty of nations were also widely reiterated at CPAC. Nigel Farage called on the various nations to remain free and sovereign.
The need to install capable and effective governments. The MEPs of the ESN Group were also able to appreciate the examples set by the President of Argentina, Javier Milei, and the Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, who have succeeded, in their respective countries, in obtaining rapid results that have been acclaimed by their populations.
The will to secure the borders. Finally, the ESN delegation at CPAC listened attentively to new Border Czar of the American administration, Mr Tom Homan, who has achieved spectacular results in 4 weeks, with a 95% drop in illegal entries into the United States.
The MEPs of the ESN Group in the European Parliament came back from this event strengthened in their fight to serve their sovereign nations.
The EU secretly funneled €132.82 million to media outlets across Europe to influence the 2024 European elections, as revealed by Il Fatto Quotidiano on February 11, 2025!
Top officials Ursula von der Leyen and Roberta Metsola, with support from the EU Council, used a framework contract with Havas Media France (Vivendi Group) to distribute funds while keeping recipients and amounts hidden. No transparency, no accountability – just taxpayer money buying EU-friendly news coverage!
Major media like Rai, Mediaset, Sky, Corriere della Sera, and Repubblica were PAID for favorable articles about Brussels. Is this journalism or propaganda?
EU institutions don’t sell products, so why hire an ad agency if not to manipulate the narrative? Democracy demands transparency, not hidden payments to the press!
ESN will demand in the European Parliament full disclosure of all media that benefited from this, and a full investigation to this unprecedented illegal manipulation of the European elections by the EU itself.
This blatant manipulation of public opinion using public funds is a disgrace. Full story by Il Fatto Quotidiano: https://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/.../ben-130.../7872331/..”
The process to revoke the immunity of Italian MEP Ilaria Salis has begun. Today, the left-wing MEP must justify herself before the JURI Committee of the European Parliament regarding violent attacks in Hungary. The resulting report will determine the next steps in the procedure. Salis, elected for the Alleanza Verdi e Sinistra after a lengthy detention in Hungary, is accused of severe hammer attacks on civilians in Hungary.
Mary Khan, MEP of the ESN Group, stated:
“At the time, the video of the hammer attacks on Hungarian civilians shocked all of Europe. We are witnessing a worrying escalation of left-wing violence in many countries. It is even more outrageous when left-wing parties undermine the rule of law by abusing parliamentary immunity to set offenders free. Viktor Orbán is right to demand the revocation of Ilaria Salis' immunity – we support this demand.
Only through decisive action can we prevent political interests from undermining the rule of law and endangering the safety and freedom of our society. Ilaria Salis belongs in prison, not in Parliament.”
Brussels – AfD Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Petr Bystron is calling for an immediate investigation into the activities of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in the European Union. The background to this demand is allegations that USAID sought to influence the 2024 European elections through disinformation campaigns in several EU countries. These allegations are based on revelations by Elon Musk and Donald Trump regarding illegal practices within USAID.
"Trump has done fantastic groundwork; now we must also quickly and comprehensively uncover illegal election interference by foreign states in Europe," said Bystron. He stated that there is a strong suspicion that foreign influence has massively manipulated the composition of the EU Parliament. "The EU must relentlessly combat all forms of hybrid warfare, foreign propaganda, and disinformation."
Bystron criticized the fact that USAID-funded media had deliberately targeted opposition forces. "Our democracy must be protected from foreign influences," said the AfD politician. He argued that it is the responsibility of European institutions to investigate these manipulations and ensure the security of future elections.
The U.S. Agency for International Development is currently facing criticism for allegedly using intelligence funds to influence elections and carry out regime changes worldwide. U.S. President Donald Trump has therefore drastically cut USAID’s budget and placed all employees on leave as of February 7.
Last Wednesday, the ESN Group awarded Tamara Lich with the "Women Fighting for Freedom" prize. Tamara Lich is a Canadian political activist and one of the main organizers of the so-called "Freedom Convoy" in 2022. This protest began as a movement by truck drivers against COVID-19 vaccination mandates and expanded into a broader protest against government measures and restrictions. The AfD Member of the European Parliament in the ESN Group, Christine Anderson, commented:
"It was a great honor for our Group to welcome Mrs. Lich as a guest in Strasbourg and later award her. Tamara Lich embodies the fight against an overbearing state and for the freedom of its citizens like no one else. Even after facing the harshest sanctions from the Canadian government and being arrested during the protests in Ottawa, Tamara Lich did not let herself be intimidated. 'They picked the wrong woman,' says Tamara Lich herself, defiantly. Her courage and commitment are an inspiration to us all."
Carola Rackete loses court case against AfD-Delegation
Carola Rackete, the german Left Party’s top candidate for the European elections, has lost a legal battle against the AfD delegation in the European Parliament at the Berlin Regional Court. Rackete had sued the delegation, seeking to prevent being referred to as a “smuggler.” However, the former captain of the "Sea-Watch" has now lost in court, which ruled that "a certain factual connection" to the term cannot be denied. Markus Buchheit, a Member of the European Parliament from the AfD delegation, commented: "What the AfD has repeatedly emphasized and made public is now legally confirmed. Carola Rackete may be referred to as a smuggler. The activities of so-called sea rescuers cannot be described otherwise. Those who lure refugees into the Mediterranean off the North African coast and then bring them to Europe like a prearranged shuttle service are smugglers! We will do everything in our power to put an end to this criminal activity!"
On migration, the Europe of Sovereign Nations (ESN) group stands for a strict and restrictive migration policy. ESN opposes the centralisation of migration policy by the European Union and believes that responsibility for migration and border management should lie entirely with individual member states. ESN opposes the European redistribution mechanism for refugees and migrants as we believe it undermines the sovereignty of countries and forces us to take in migrants against our will.
ESN sees large-scale migration as a risk to national security, culture and social cohesion and calls for strict border controls and effective protection of Europe's external borders. Furthermore, the group stresses the importance of return policies, whereby migrants without the right of residence are swiftly sent back to their countries of origin. ESN also strongly opposes legal migration programmes at European level and believes that each member state should be able to decide for itself who can or cannot enter its borders.
The ESN succeeded today in blocking billions in payments to corrupt developing countries and bringing down the so-called Seville Report in the European Parliament.
The text—formally titled “Report on Development Financing – Ahead of the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development in Seville”—had called, among other things, for unconditional debt relief for developing countries. It also advocated higher development aid contributions by EU member states, global wealth taxes, and transfer payments to mitigate climate change in nations of the southern hemisphere. Most of these costs would have fallen on European—and therefore especially German—taxpayers. The report failed to pass: the Europe of Sovereign Nations (ESN) group voted against it together with other center-right groups; in total, a majority of 340 MEPs rejected the Seville Report.
AfD MEPs Dr. Marc Jongen and Tomasz Froelich also introduced a counter-resolution that would make readmission agreements with migrants’ countries of origin a precondition for any further development funds. Their motion received 120 votes in the plenary.
Marc Jongen, ESN coordinator on the Development Committee and shadow rapporteur for the Seville Report, explained:
“The AfD’s votes make the difference! Only through our efforts was there a majority against the Seville Report, preventing further burdens on German citizens. At the same time, a clear signal is being sent: development policy must come with give-and-take. Without the readmission of migrants, no more billions should flow from Europe to Third-World countries.”
Tomasz Froelich, co-initiator of the counter-resolution, added:
“Since 1980, roughly two trillion dollars in development funds have been paid to sub-Saharan Africa, a substantial share of which is embezzled and disappears into tax havens. In light of Africa’s population explosion and our strained economic situation, the time is ripe for a paradigm shift. Sweden and the USA show that it can be done differently—the EU must follow their example.”
This week, delegates from 130 countries are gathering in Nice for the third UN Ocean Conference to advance the implementation of UN Sustainable Development Goal 14 – the protection and sustainable use of the oceans, seas, and marine resources. However, compromises between competing interests – offshore wind energy, marine ecology, deep-sea mining, and the fishing industry – threaten to significantly undermine the effectiveness of potential solutions.
At the EU level, the prevailing climate crisis ideology ensures generous funding for projects such as offshore wind farms – often an unreliable source of fluctuating electricity – while sensible initiatives like ballast water management systems to combat invasive species are financially neglected. Furthermore, the voluntary nature of many commitments leads in practice to weak enforcement and political arbitrariness.
Siegbert Droese, ESN coordinator in the European Parliament’s Fisheries Committee (PECH), commented on UNOC3:
“This week’s UN Ocean Conference in Nice is expected to produce the so-called Nice Action Plan for the Oceans. Once again, we anticipate the usual announcements of ‘sustainability initiatives’ by governments and corporations – measures that are often little more than PR stunts, neither effectively monitored nor enforced.
Rather than superficially addressing all of the world’s marine problems while solving none, the conference should focus on the greatest threat to both marine ecology and the livelihood of small-scale fisheries: illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.
Yet greenwashing schemes such as so-called Blue Carbon Markets and taxpayer-funded offshore wind farms appear to be more profitable. This imbalance fails to reflect the true value and importance of the oceans as our planet’s most vital resource.”
Today marked the conclusion of our external ESN group retreat in Bratislava.
Three intensive and inspiring days – including official receptions with the Slovak Minister of Culture, the Deputy Prime Minister, and the President of the national council.
We could feel the historical depth of Slovakia’s patriotic spirit. Perhaps it stems from the country’s eventful past: over the centuries, its lands were occupied by various foreign powers – and yet none succeeded in stripping the Slovak people of their homeland or their cultural identity.
Today, the Slovak nation stands proud, vibrant, and deeply rooted in its traditions – as it always has.
Slovakia can serve as a role model for us.
Together with Hungary, it represents a bastion of common sense – in a European Union where irrationality increasingly seems to carry the force of law.
We express our sincere thanks for the generous hospitality – and hope that Germany, too, will soon join the “Club of the Reasonable” within the EU.
For a politics rooted in the interests of one’s own people, yet always open to cooperation with neighbouring European nations – and for a Europe of fatherlands worthy of that name.
This week, Germany’s public children’s channel KiKA began airing a five-part series titled “Klimagefühle” (“Climate Emotions”). According to the broadcaster, the program aims to help children better understand emotions such as climate anxiety, anger, and guilt. The series was developed with the consultation of psychologist Katharina van Bronswijk from Psychologists for Future. The first episode aired on June 10 during the early evening slot.
Anja Arndt, Member of the European Parliament for the ESN Group, issued the following statement:
“This series deliberately instills fear in children’s bedrooms. This is not education – it is emotional manipulation, financed by mandatory broadcasting fees. Children don’t need panic; they need confidence in life!
According to the Barmer Doctor Report 2024, more and more children and adolescents are showing psychological abnormalities, including an increase in climate-related anxiety disorders. Children aged 11 to 17 are particularly affected. The report indicates that ‘disaster-oriented media content’ can intensify this development.
Children need emotional security – not daily apocalyptic scenarios in children’s programming!
A shocking extreme case illustrates the danger: In April 2025, a 16-year-old carried out an attack on a Catholic high school in Nantes, motivated by his ‘fear of ecocide.’
What might appear to be an isolated incident may in fact be the result of years of relentless climate panic indoctrination through media content.”
Therefore, we as AfD/ESN demand:
The immediate review and cancellation of the “Klimagefühle” series
A clear separation between educational content and political activism in ARD and ZDF programming
The creation of a child protection oversight body for public broadcasting content
“We reject this state-sponsored climate panic being brought into our children’s rooms.
ARD and ZDF have long betrayed their educational mandate – they must be reformed or dismantled.”
An investigative report by WELT (June 6) has revealed: The EU Commission used taxpayer money to fund environmental organizations that, under secret agreements, launched campaigns in support of Ursula von der Leyen’s Green Deal – targeting German companies.
ESN MEP Christine Anderson commented:
“This is an unprecedented case of political interference and economic damage by Brussels – yet another link in a chain of unlawful meddling by the EU in the political opinion-forming process of its Member States. It is profoundly undemocratic for the EU to misuse taxpayers’ money to align public opinion in the Member States with its own agenda.
Weeks ago, we requested that the issue of EU interference be placed on the agenda of the Special Committee on the European Democracy Shield (EUDS). That request was rejected this week by the committee coordinators.
Even more shocking: the EPP Group, along with the Greens, voted against our motion. Instead of addressing institutional abuse of power within the EU, the committee majority decided to focus on the so-called ‘democracy-threatening manosphere’.
When Brussels uses public money to finance ideological campaigns and deliberately harm national companies, it constitutes a direct attack on democracy, transparency, and economic sovereignty. The EUDS Committee’s silence, and the Christian Democrats’ ongoing refusal to address this interference, is a disgrace.”
We therefore demand:
Full disclosure of all EU Commission payments to politically active NGOs
An immediate end to the use of public funds for indirect opinion manipulation
A debate on this matter in the plenary and the EUDS Committee
Those who speak of ‘protecting democracy’ must not look away when the EU itself becomes a partisan actor – against citizens, businesses, and Member States.”
In an interview with the Donaukurier, Bernd Posselt, chairman of the Sudeten German Landsmannschaft, reaffirmed that the AfD is subject to a “ban” within the organization. Commenting on this, Petr Bystron, MEP of the ESN Group, stated:
“Bernd Posselt is merely trying to secure his own position within the Sudeten German Landsmannschaft by demonstratively excluding the AfD. He — just like the entire CDU — has long since abandoned the interests of the Sudeten Germans.
Today, the AfD is the only political force that credibly advocates for the concerns of the displaced, as the former president of the Federation of Expellees, Erika Steinbach, has repeatedly confirmed.
Posselt is attempting to co-opt the leadership of the Sudeten German Landsmannschaft for the CSU. He fears being replaced by AfD politicians because the members clearly recognize that we represent their interests better than the CSU.
Thus, excluding the AfD is the only way for Posselt to maintain his position in the organization. Otherwise, he would be voted out here just as he was voted out of the European Parliament.
This is further confirmed by the timing of the first ‘ban’ — it was imposed ten years ago, immediately after Posselt lost his seat in the European Parliament due to the rise of the AfD.”
On June 5, 2025, the EU transport ministers in Luxembourg endorsed a reform of air passenger rights: compensation will only be due after 5, 9, or 12 hours of delay, instead of after three hours as before. Consumer advocates such as the ADAC warn that around 85 percent of the compensation payments made so far would thus be eliminated. The package can only come into force after approval by the European Parliament.
Commenting on this, Siegbert Droese, MEP of the ESN Group, stated:
“Once again, the EU is leaving its citizens out in the rain. While airlines are relieved of 85 percent of compensation payments, travelers and businesses are being burdened with ever-increasing levies. In Germany alone, the rise in aviation taxes and other fees will amount to an additional 1.2 billion euros in 2025 — overall, state-imposed levies now add about 30 euros per ticket, with taxes reaching up to 70.83 euros for a single long-haul flight.
But that’s not all: our airlines are already paying around 70 euros per ton of CO₂ in the European Emissions Trading System — and from 2026, all free allowances will be phased out. Ultimately, it is families and commuters who foot the bill for this green ideology.
The EU is hitting travelers twice: slashing consumer compensation and making flying more expensive with ever new charges — clearly because this mode of transport does not fit their climate dogma.
As the AfD delegation, we will fight in the European Parliament to ensure that the current level of protection remains intact, that ticket taxes are reduced, and that unilateral green burdens are abolished. Those who destroy mobility destroy freedom and prosperity — and we will not accept that.”
Today, the European Commission presented its “Clean Industrial Deal.” The package of measures aims to make decarbonization and climate protection the driving forces behind the growth of European industry. It includes plans for lower energy prices, the creation of high-quality jobs, and improved business conditions.
Commenting on this, Markus Buchheit, MEP of the ESN Group, stated:
“What is being marketed as a Clean Deal is merely yet another attack on our industry. The Commission simply ignores the different site costs across the EU, the lack of energy security—especially in Germany—and the resulting loss of competitiveness for member states.
The endorsement of central climate goals and a CO₂-neutral industry reveals a complete denial of industrial policy realities: an EU-wide steering of ‘green’ industrial policy will only lead to severe competitive disadvantages compared to the USA and China—not to a 90% CO₂ reduction by 2040 or to a million new jobs. Terms like bureaucracy reduction and national flexibility are nothing but empty phrases in the Commission’s jargon.
Without affordable energy prices and sovereign economic strategies by the member states, there will be no globally competitive industrial production in Europe. Green Deal, Clean Deal—it doesn’t matter what these bureaucratic monstrosities are called—they merely give Brussels bureaucrats a sense of indispensability.
The results of such dirigiste models can be seen in Germany: thanks to the eco-socialists, the Federal Republic has become the sick man of Europe. Short- to medium-term prospects for recovery? Very poor!”
On Monday, Annalena Baerbock was elected President of the United Nations. Commenting on this, Petr Bystron, MEP of the ESN Group, stated:
“As Foreign Minister, Baerbock repeatedly embarrassed Germany on the international stage. In January 2023, she claimed in the Council of Europe that we were in a ‘war against Russia’—a statement that caused global diplomatic irritation. Her remark calling China’s President a ‘dictator’ also drew international criticism.
The fact that someone like Baerbock can occupy this position reflects the complete insignificance of the UN. Major decisions in global politics are made through direct negotiations among the great powers, not in multilateral organizations like the UN.
As a farewell gift, Baerbock left Germany with 36,000 Afghans, many of whom were allegedly flown in illegally under her ministry's initiatives. They are reported to be 723% more likely to commit crimes than Germans and have been involved in numerous cases of rape and murder.
It is unacceptable that, amid the societal and economic crises caused by the Greens, Germans must also finance her presidency with their tax money—paying her an annual salary of over 150,000 euros.
Instead of heading to New York, Baerbock belongs in the defendant’s seat in Germany.”
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will not attend an important meeting of international defense officials today aimed at coordinating military assistance to Ukraine. This marks a significant shift in U.S. engagement.
The announcement comes just days after a Ukrainian drone strike on five Russian airbases, which reportedly damaged 41 strategic Russian bombers. The estimated damage exceeds 6 billion euros.
So far, the White House has not commented on the attack, merely stating that it had no prior knowledge of it.
Commenting on this, Siegbert Frank Droese, an alternate member of the European Parliament’s Security and Defense Committee, stated:
“The Roman statesman and orator Marcus Tullius Cicero once said: ‘By keeping silent, you cry out loudly!’
The absence of Defense Secretary Hegseth from today’s meeting could be an indication that U.S. cooperation with Ukraine is at risk unless all parties commit to peace negotiations.
It seems highly unlikely that the United States will continue to support a conflict driven primarily by Europeans and the British indefinitely.
The EU should bear in mind that its recent increase in defense spending will, at best, make Europe only theoretically independent of U.S. military support.
We should now be open to ending a conflict that our strategic allies already deem unwinnable.”
The agreement between the European Union and Ukraine on road freight transport, currently under revision, is a proposed amendment to the existing treaty from 2022. The original purpose of the agreement was to grant Ukrainian transport companies easier access to the EU internal market, particularly to facilitate the export of Ukrainian goods to EU member states.
Commenting on this, ESN MEP Siegbert Droese stated:
“We have proposed the following revisions to the agreement:
-Effective controls at Ukrainian border crossings and on major transport routes through a strong police presence.
Continuous inspection of the technical condition of incoming vehicles.
Digital monitoring must also be ensured through comprehensive electronic document verification.
It is crucial that the EU finally takes clear measures to prevent market distortions caused by mass imports from Ukraine and to ensure that Ukrainian trucks transport only civilian goods.
We therefore state clearly: The interest in road safety and the quality of goods must finally be safeguarded for German and European consumers!”
With the Executive Order on the Deportation of Alien Enemies, U.S. President Donald Trump will deport 530,000 migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. Opponents filed lawsuits against the deportations. After legal challenges, the Supreme Court has now ruled in Trump’s favor: the U.S. Supreme Court decided that revoking the residency status of these immigrants is legitimate.
Commenting on this, Petr Bystron, Member of the ESN Group in the EU Parliament, stated:
“Donald Trump is thus able to fulfill one of his central campaign promises and continue the deportation of hundreds of thousands of illegal migrants from the United States. Across the West, people are longing for the restoration of law and order. And this can only be achieved through remigration! Trump is showing the entire world that large-scale remigration is indeed possible.
We in the AfD have been demanding such a turnaround in Europe for years. After MAGA comes MEGA – Make Europe Great Again!”
On the occasion of the presidential election in Poland, Tomasz Froelich, Deputy Head of the AfD Delegation in the EU Parliament, states:
“We congratulate Karol Nawrocki on his election victory. This prevents unchecked rule by Donald Tusk’s liberal Civic Platform, which pursues a woke, green, belligerent, and EU-subservient agenda and ruthlessly opposes the patriotic and right-wing opposition.
During the campaign, Nawrocki committed to the Konfederacja candidate Sławomir Mentzen to withdraw from the Migration Pact and the Green Deal, to refrain from sending soldiers to Ukraine, and to oppose Ukraine’s accession to NATO and the EU. He will be measured by these promises.
At the EU level, he can count on our support if he seriously pursues these goals. Our countries face similar challenges. If we are to overcome them, it would be wise to finally lay to rest the conflicts of the past.”
During a meeting of the EU’s special committee “European Democracy Shield,” extensive investments in media and fact-checking projects were proposed, ostensibly to protect freedom of the press and expression within the European Union. Funding on the order of billions is to be made available for these media outlets—also as a reaction to recent cutbacks at the U.S. development agency USAID.
ESN Group MEP Petr Bystron commented:
“We’re talking about billions that Brussels apparently intends to pour—without any real democratic oversight—into a new censorship and propaganda infrastructure. Under the guise of ‘protecting democracy,’ a vast subsidy machine is being created for government-friendly platforms and media, while critical voices continue to be excluded.
That European taxpayers are now expected to fill the gap left by USAID’s cuts is an affront to anyone who believes in genuine media diversity. Brussels presumes to decide which information is ‘good’ or ‘bad,’ which media are ‘free’ and which are ‘propaganda.’ In doing so, the EU is definitively abandoning the free marketplace of ideas.
We will oppose these plans resolutely. If the European Union were serious about press and speech freedom, it would tolerate inconvenient or foreign broadcasters instead of pumping billions into an ideological police force. Disinformation and propaganda are always blamed on others—yet with this program Brussels is institutionalizing one-sided control of opinion itself.”
Yesterday the European Parliament adopted new tariffs on agricultural products and fertilizers from Russia and Belarus by 411 votes in favor, 100 against and 78 abstentions. Most MEPs from the CDU/CSU, SPD and Greens voted for the measure, while the ESN group opposed it by a large majority.
ESN MEP Markus Buchheit commented:
“The European Union has become a prisoner of its own sanctions strategy. It is not bringing more peace and security; instead it is harming our own citizens and businesses most of all. Rather than forcing Russia to its economic knees, we are seeing falling exports, production losses and rising prices—especially for fertilizers and food. The Commission itself warns of consequences for food security, yet this misguided policy continues. We finally need the courage to abandon this wrong path and choose diplomacy over economic self-harm.”
Given the growing economic imbalance, the AfD delegation is calling for a change of course in the EU’s Russia policy. Instead of further tariffs and sanctions—whose main burden is borne by European businesses and consumers—the Union must pursue dialogue and political solutions.
Against the backdrop of the South African President’s visit with Donald Trump, Member of the European Parliament Siegbert Frank Droese views with concern the European Commission’s decision earlier this year to back South Africa with an investment package worth €4.7 billion despite glaring breaches of the rule of law. In a written question, Droese demanded a clear position from the Commission on the South African Expropriation Act, signed in January 2025, which empowers the state to seize land without compensation. The Commission’s reply, now available, remains vague. Siegbert Droese, MEP of the ESN Group, states:
“While the Commission stresses it will ‘monitor developments’, the situation on the ground has been escalating for years, and white farmers are the target of a brutal wave of violence – including routine torture, rape and murder. International human-rights organizations warn of systematic action against the white minority, yet the South African government plays it down or stays silent. Just like the red-green public in Germany and the EU, which apparently looks the other way when faced with anti-white racism.
It is a scandal: white farmers are being murdered, expropriated and deprived of their rights – and Brussels rewards this conduct with billions!
Given these conditions, many victims have already sought refuge in the United States – with the backing of U.S. President Donald Trump, who recently even hosted the South African President. Trump openly confronted him with a video documenting the violent persecution of the white minority. Meanwhile, the left-wing press mocks these people, referring to them as ‘refugees’ in quotation marks – and the EU remains silent.
Particularly revolting: the supposedly human-rights-minded EU finds no words for the crimes in South Africa. Instead, it throws taxpayers’ billions at a corrupt regime!
As long as property rights are abolished in South Africa, racist violence is down-played and tolerated, and a minority is systematically persecuted, not a single cent from Brussels should flow there. The EU makes itself complicit when it bankrolls a corrupt regime of injustice that is forcing a genocide in its own country. There must be an immediate halt to all EU investments in South Africa and an open condemnation of the Expropriation Act and the violence against white South Africans!”
Today, the European Parliament rejected an amendment tabled by ESN Group that simply reaffirmed its commitment to full transparency following the EU General Court’s recent ruling on Pfizergate.
The Court ruled on 14 May 2025 that the European Commission was wrong to withhold text messages between its President and the CEO of Pfizer—messages exchanged during vaccine procurement talks. The judgment confirmed that such messages fall under EU transparency rules and must be made public. In response, we proposed that Parliament “reiterates its full commitment to complete transparency on this matter.”
Yet, astonishingly, a majority—including nearly all Members of S&D, the Greens, and the Left, notably Daniel Freund and Martin Schirdewan—voted against this basic statement of principle.
Christine Anderson, author of the amendment and Chief Whip of the ESN Group, stated:
“Our amendment was neither controversial nor partisan. Yet, the left and green side of the House votes against it. This is a stunning display of hypocrisy. These very same MEPs publicly applauded the Court’s ruling but refused to support a basic commitment to openness when it counted. Transparency must not be a slogan—it must be a principle. We will not let this matter be swept under the rug, nor will we allow Ursula von der Leyen to escape accountability.”
The European Parliament's LIBE Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs has approved a report on the state of the rule of law in the EU in 2024.
In a highly political report, the committee approved more censorship of social networks, more funding for left-wing NGOs and condemnation of Hungary.
In a surprising vote, it was even approved that Member States that have not yet done so should introduce legal recognition of same-sex partnerships.
It could only be voted through with a left-wing majority supported by EPP votes. The ESN Group regrets that EPP members gave in to the injunctions of the left.
Legal recognition of same-sex partnerships was approved by EPP-MEPs Monika Hohlmeier (Germany), Verena Mertens (Germany), Oliver Schenk (Germany), Ioan-Rareş Bogdan (Romania), Paulo Cunha (Portugal), Rasa Juknevičienė (Lithuania), Jeroen Lenaers (The Netherlands), Jüri Ratas (Estonia), Tomas Tobé (Sweden), Maria Walsh (Ireland), Javier Zarzalejos (Spain) and Tomáš Zdechovský (Czechia).
ESN will continue to defend genuinely right-wing positions, such as the sovereignty of Member States to decide for themselves on this topic.
Milan UHRIK, MEP,
ESN coordinator in the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs
The European Commission has significantly downgraded its growth forecast for the eurozone – to 0.9% for 2025 and 1.4% for 2026. One of the main reasons is the economic weakness in Germany. ESN MEP Rada Laykova commented:
"The EU has already been in economic stagnation for about a decade. Even those 1% growths reported are mostly just the result of statistical tricks. The European Commission is quick to point fingers at the USA or Russia, but the problems in Europe are homemade. The current drastic cut in the EU’s growth forecast is yet another sign of the failure of Brussels’ current policies. Instead of strengthening the competitiveness of European companies, the Commission has pursued an ideologically driven agenda of economic self-sabotage in recent years – from excessive bureaucracy to costly climate regulations that particularly hurt our industry. Does the EU learn? No. The Draghi report only just admitted what the so-called 'EU critics' have been saying for a decade: the EU, with its doctrine of ever more planned economy, monetary distortion and regulation, is undermining Europe’s competitiveness. However, the Draghi report just admits the problem after it had become impossible to hide the economic stagnation anymore, but then demands that allegedly only 'more EU' is the solution to something which was caused by already 'too much EU'. A common trick of the EU: create a problem yourself and then spin its causality for even more control and more money for the EU.
What is especially worrying is the economic stagnation in Germany, the backbone of Europe’s economy. High energy prices – caused by the self-imposed disconnection from reliable energy sources – and a massive investment backlog are problems of the EU’s own making. An industrial economy cannot exist without cheap and reliable energy. Germany no longer has either. The Commission bears responsibility because it constantly interferes too much in national economic policies or energy imports instead of enabling independent solutions.
In light of the economic situation, the ESN Group calls for an immediate moratorium on all new EU regulations that further burden businesses, as well as a fundamental reorientation of energy policy toward affordable and secure supply for citizens and industry. In addition, we need to access some of our own sources for certain resources, especially since the EU seems to intentionally head into economic and geopolitical isolation when you read some of its newest reports. The 'intentionally' is, of course, not admitted, but can be observed. Furthermore, a return to sound fiscal policy and responsible use of EU funds is urgently needed. The EU, though, is heading for the exact opposite.”
Following significant international pressure, the British judiciary has reversed its decision: British activist Tommy Robinson is being released roughly two months before the end of his original prison sentence. His imprisonment was controversial from the start and drew criticism from around the world. Member of the European Parliament Petr Bystron is considered one of his strongest supporters. During Robinson's incarceration, Bystron visited him in England and kept the public informed about his case.
MEP Petr Bystron, a member of the ESN Group, commented:
"Tommy is not an isolated case. In the heart of Europe, people are being intimidated, censored, and criminalized for exposing wrongdoing.
I will continue to stand up for all these courageous individuals who fight for freedom of speech and justice.
I am pleased that Tommy is pressing on and already planning new initiatives. His courage inspires many.
We will never allow the truth to be suppressed—neither by court orders nor by prison walls."
Representatives of the European Parliament and the governments of the member states agreed yesterday on a phased introduction of the so-called Entry/Exit System (EES). While the European Commission and mainstream media are hailing this as a success, AfD MEP Mary Khan sees it as a disturbing revelation of the disastrous state of the EU’s external borders, which have suffered from grossly inadequate control for years:
“For several years now, the Commission has been announcing the introduction of the Entry/Exit System (EES) as a tool to improve identity verification at the EU’s external borders. The collection of biometric data and the digital registration of all entries and exits by third-country nationals is long overdue in order to ensure effective border controls, prevent multiple identities, and combat illegal migration more effectively.
But instead of taking decisive action, the Commission has repeatedly postponed the system’s implementation for years—most recently in December 2024, shifting the responsibility onto the member states, even though the original launch had been planned for 2020.
In the meantime, millions of migrants have entered illegally without their identities being thoroughly checked or registered. This has created a massive security gap that the EU has allowed to grow over the years—at the expense not only of the European population but also of our security, our values, and our future.
The catastrophic consequences of these delays reveal both an organizational failure—highlighted by the awarding of the contract to IT company Atos, formerly led by Commissioner Thierry Breton and only moderately successful in execution—and a lack of political will to address the issue of illegal mass migration.”
In a preliminary assessment, the European Commission has accused the platform TikTok of violating European digital regulations. For ESN Member of the European Parliament Mary Khan, one thing is clear: this is not a technocratic concern — it is a targeted attack on digital freedom of expression in Europe. The MEP explained:
“While U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance used the Munich Security Conference to emphatically highlight the limits of illiberal control fantasies to the EU elites, von der Leyen and her allies continue undeterred on their path of acting as a moral censorship authority. Now TikTok is under fire — a platform that many young people value precisely because of its unfiltered content, seeing it as a space for free expression.
The real reason: because parties like the AfD — and many other patriotic movements across Europe — are able to reach millions on TikTok, the Brussels power cartel sees the platform as a thorn in its side. This is no longer about data protection or regulation — it is about total control over information and opinion. Those who think critically are to be silenced.
Free speech is the Achilles’ heel of any liberal order, and today it is being attacked by Brussels under flimsy pretexts. We stand firmly and unconditionally for digital freedom of expression. The European Commission must immediately end its ideologically driven course of censorship.”
The European Court of Justice has reprimanded the EU Commission over the disappearance of text messages between Ursula von der Leyen and Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla regarding the multi-billion euro vaccine deals.
Christine Anderson, Member of the ESN Group, commented as follows:
“Today’s ruling by the EU General Court is a political earthquake in the affair surrounding the secret COVID-19 vaccine contracts. The European Commission violated the right to transparency by refusing access to text messages exchanged between Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and the CEO of Pfizer. The court has now made it clear: the deletion of these messages was unlawful.
This deliberate disregard for legal and transparency obligations cannot go unpunished. Von der Leyen’s personal misconduct is emblematic of a broader institutional failure within the Commission. Both von der Leyen and the Commission must be held accountable. A parliamentary committee of inquiry must now be established – with real powers, including the authority to compel von der Leyen to testify under oath. Only such a process can ensure genuine and comprehensive accountability.
As early as 2023, the European Parliament’s COVID Committee sought to question the Commission President – but she refused to appear. That cannot and must not be the end of the matter.
Those who hold positions of responsibility must not be allowed to evade scrutiny. The EU must now prove that it has learned from this scandal – or it risks permanently losing the trust of its citizens.”
The ESN Group in the European Parliament warmly congratulates Pope Leo XIV on his election and extends its heartfelt wishes for a pontificate marked by blessing and strength. As the spiritual leader of more than one billion Catholics, he assumes a responsibility of historic and global significance.
The co-president of the ESN Group, René Aust, explains:
„Especially in times of societal disorientation, the voice of the Church can serve as a vital compass and anchor.
May Pope Leo XIV, with wisdom, courage, and the help of God, strengthen the bond between faith, truth, and freedom in Europe.
May God protect Pope Leo XIV.“
On May 8, 2025, the European Parliament voted with 371 in favor, 162 against, and 37 abstentions to downgrade the protection status of the wolf across the EU from “strictly protected” to “protected.” This change gives member states greater flexibility to remove problematic animals, provided that the species maintains a favorable conservation status. Support came primarily from agricultural sectors and conservative MEPs, while Greens, WWF, and other animal protection organizations warned of a setback for species conservation. After formal approval by the Council of Ministers, member states will have 18 months to transpose the change into national law.
Commenting on this, Anja Arndt, MEP of the ESN Group, stated:
“With this decision, Parliament is finally addressing the real challenges faced in our rural regions. We are giving member states a flexible tool to take the legitimate concerns of livestock farmers seriously, without demonizing the wolf across the board. The downgrading of the protection status is a welcome step, especially for farming operations and alpine pastoralism. At last, a path is being cleared to protect grazing animals, family-run farms, and tourism from increasing attacks.
Once again, the voting behavior of the Greens reveals their detachment from reality: ideological dogmas are being placed above the existential fears of people in rural areas.
Now Berlin must act immediately and use this new flexibility to grant uncomplicated shooting permits for problem wolves. The announced 18-month period must not be used as an excuse to delay action.”
Today, the European Parliament was scheduled to decide whether to extend the trade protection measures suspended since 2022 for certain Ukrainian products — including steel — once again. Critics fear that the tariff-free import regime continues to undermine the competitiveness of European farmers, steel companies, and small and medium-sized enterprises. An open letter from the Steel Pipe Industry Association (WVSR) to all Members of the European Parliament warns of “disastrous consequences” for EU industry and urges rejection of the extension.
The Europe of Sovereign Nations (ESN) Group has therefore submitted a procedural motion to postpone the vote in order to allow for a more in-depth assessment of the economic impact. ESN MEP Prof. Dr. Hans Neuhoff stated:
“We have requested that the planned vote on further tariff suspensions for imports from Ukraine be postponed. Otherwise, our domestic economy — from family-run farms to medium-sized industries and the steel sector — would come under massive pressure.
Ukraine produces with dumping wages and without comparable environmental or social standards. If their goods continue to enter the EU unchecked, we risk jobs and value creation across Europe.
The open letter from the Steel Pipe Industry Association clearly highlights these concerns. We reacted quickly and took the concerns of small and medium-sized enterprises seriously. Unfortunately, many MEPs — particularly from the usual camps of the traditional parties — once again prioritized the interests of Ukraine over those of their own nations. The necessary votes to approve our motion for postponement were not secured — yet another nail in the coffin for the German economy.”
On May 6, 2025, the Europe of Sovereign Nations (ESN) Group, meeting in Strasbourg, unanimously welcomed the candidacy of Mr Volker Schnurrbusch, who becomes the 27th member of the ESN Group.
Volker Schnurrbusch is a German Member of the European Parliament and a member of Alternative für Deutschland (AFD). He joined the European Parliament at the beginning of April 2025 and has sat until now as a non-attached Member.
This is the second expansion of the ESN Group in less than six months, following the integration of Milan Mazurek in January 2025.
It has been officially confirmed today: The request to establish a committee of inquiry into the EU Commission's vaccine contracts — in particular the controversial Pfizer deals under Ursula von der Leyen — has reached the required 180 supporters in the European Parliament. The request, titled “TRAC – Transparency and Accountability,” will now be submitted to the Conference of Presidents for further decision in accordance with Article 215 of the Rules of Procedure.
The planned committee is intended to thoroughly investigate:
• the EU Commission’s vaccine negotiations, particularly the personal SMS communications between the Commission President and Pfizer,
• alleged corruption cases such as Qatargate and Huaweigate,
• as well as the influence exerted by non-governmental organizations funded by the Commission.
Christine Anderson, Member of the European Parliament for the ESN Group, stated:
“One of my key priorities during this legislative term has been the review of COVID-19 policies, especially regarding vaccine procurement. Citizens have a right to know how multi-billion euro contracts with liability waivers could be concluded via text message. This committee will shine a light on the dark corners of corruption within the Commission — not only in relation to vaccines but also concerning the influence of Chinese companies and Gulf states.
Now it is up to the European Christian Democrats, Social Democrats, Greens, and Leftists to decide whether they will heed our call for transparency, accountability, and political responsibility — or continue to beat the drum of so-called transparency while failing to act themselves.
My special thanks go to the Patriots for Europe group, who contributed greatly to mobilizing support and bringing this issue firmly onto the agenda. Together, we now demand: full transparency, thorough investigation, and political accountability regarding external influence, conflicts of interest, and possible legal violations within the EU institutions.”
The European Commission has presented plans aiming to completely end Russian gas imports by 2027 at the latest. In two phases, the short-term trade of Russian gas on the spot market will be prohibited starting at the end of 2025, and the signing of new contracts will also be banned. By the end of 2027, no gas at all should be imported from Russia into the EU.
Anja Arndt expresses strong criticism of this initiative. From her perspective, it is a morally motivated but inconsistent approach, as liquefied natural gas (LNG) from countries like the USA or Qatar is still being imported. According to Arndt, this fuel is not only more expensive but also especially harmful to the environment due to the energy-intensive liquefaction process and long-distance transport. She also warns of increasing dependence on new energy suppliers and criticizes the burden on consumers due to high energy prices.
The ESN Member of the European Parliament, Anja Arndt, comments:
“The EU talks about climate protection and dependencies – while creating new dependencies on global corporations and third countries, as domestic industries are brought to their knees.
This policy harms Germany twice: economically and ecologically. The pipeline infrastructure, which was reliable, efficient, and costly, is being sacrificed for ideological reasons. Instead of rational energy policy, we get green planned economy and EU double standards. Anyone who truly wants to represent German interests and protect the environment must decisively oppose this madness”
A request has been filed to lift the parliamentary immunity of AfD Member of the European Parliament Petr Bystron. The investigations are based on allegations for which, despite 21 house searches, no credible evidence has been presented so far. The AfD delegation considers the process politically motivated and sees it as an attempt to discredit a committed European politician. On this matter, ESN Group MEP Petr Bystron himself declares:
"The planned withdrawal of my immunity is not a procedure in accordance with the rule of law, but a targeted political maneuver. The fact that 21 searches have not yielded a single substantial piece of evidence illustrates the baselessness of the accusations. We are witnessing a coordinated campaign to criminalize my peace-oriented views. While in the USA under President Trump, destabilization networks such as USAID are being uncovered and curtailed, the EU is actively participating in the persecution of opposition voices.
The public prosecutor should not investigate the victims of this campaign, but its masterminds. I stand for peace, freedom of expression, and an independent judiciary. Germany must return to democracy and the rule of law."
On April 28, 2025, an unprecedented power outage occurred across the entire Iberian Peninsula. Millions of people in Spain and Portugal were left without electricity for hours. The cause was the high proportion of solar power in the Spanish energy grid.
Markus Buchheit, Member of the European Parliament from the ESN Group, commented:
"The blackout in Spain and Portugal is a wake-up call for all of Europe. The energy transition must not come at the expense of supply security. Supply security and system stability must be top priorities. Ideological considerations must not be placed above the fundamental need for a secure power supply. From our point of view, it is therefore urgently necessary to thoroughly and promptly review grid stability and existing reserve capacities in Germany and Europe to identify potential weaknesses early and minimize the risk of widespread blackouts. Only with flexible and controllable large-scale power plants can we ensure that the power system functions reliably, even with highly fluctuating input from renewable energy sources, and that peak loads can be safely absorbed."
ESN MEP Anja Arndt added:
"The excessive expansion of wind and solar energy is directly responsible for this blackout and must be stopped immediately in our country as well. We need to return to a reliable, baseload-capable energy supply – for the safety of our citizens in Germany and the entire European Union."
The European Parliament operates 15 “Experience Europe” centres in which it promotes itself as an institution. The investment costs exceed €110 million, with a further €18 million in annual running costs. Another 14 centres are planned, meaning the total expenditure will rise sharply. These figures emerged from a parliamentary question submitted by AfD MEP Alexander Jungbluth.
The ESN-group budget spokesman commented:
“It is outrageous how the EU squanders taxpayers’ money to put itself in the spotlight. While constantly telling citizens they need to tighten their belts, the ladies and gentlemen in Brussels and Strasbourg treat themselves to luxurious self-glorification temples at taxpayers’ expense. The fact that President Metsola answered my question only after several reminders shows she fears the public’s reaction. I will continue to make sure that citizens learn about the European Parliament’s drastic waste of taxes for propaganda purposes.”
The ESN Group firmly rejected the European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP), adopted last Thursday in the Committees on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) and on Security and Defence (SEDE). The Group voted unanimously against the report, which passed with 70 votes in favour, 46 against, and 8 abstentions.
From the ESN’s perspective, the EDIP violates the principle of national sovereignty and leads to further centralisation of defence policy at EU level. The planned increase in national contributions and the obligation to conduct joint procurement — with the goal of achieving at least 40 per cent of military procurement jointly by 2030 — undermine Member States’ freedom of decision and place an additional burden of €1.5 billion on national budgets via the EU budget. While the introduction of a “Buy European” principle, requiring 70 per cent of value creation within the EU, is welcome in principle, it is not sufficient to protect the interests of individual nations.
The ESN Group also criticises the integration of Ukraine into the European defence industry as risky and politically motivated. Rather than further communitisation, the ESN Group calls for a consistent strengthening of national defence industries and a return to a policy of national responsibility.
Markus Buchheit, Member of the European Parliament for the ESN Group, stated:
“The security of Europe is the responsibility of sovereign nation-states, not the Brussels bureaucracy. The EDIP is another step towards a European army, which we firmly reject. We stand for national sovereignty, democratic oversight, and a responsible defence policy to ensure the safety of our citizens.
The ESN Group will continue to advocate for the preservation of sovereignty and the interests of Europe’s nations."
A 15-year-old student killed a 17-year-old female classmate with a hunting knife and seriously injured three other students at a Catholic high school in Nantes. A teacher reportedly managed to overpower him with a table. According to media reports, shortly before the attack, the suspected perpetrator sent a 13-page manifesto titled "Immune Action" to his classmates, in which he denounced environmental destruction, social alienation, and "totalitarian social conditioning." He called for a "biological revolt" — even at the cost of innocent lives.
Commenting on this, Anja Arndt, Member of the European Parliament from the ESN Group, stated:
"The climate hysteria, also propagated by the European Parliament, is causing more and more young people to despair. The number of depressed young people is skyrocketing. The BARMER health insurance company, together with the SINUS Institute, conducted a study to examine 'the effects of climate change' on the mental health of young people. The results show that climate anxiety is now widespread among adolescents. 36% of surveyed young people reported experiencing severe anxiety about climate change (levels 8–10 on a ten-point scale), while another 27% reported moderate anxiety (levels 6–7). Only 16% stated that they had no anxiety (levels 1–3).
It is not alleged climate fluctuations that frighten our young people, but the irresponsible reporting by the media and misleading statements by politicians. Climate policy, which often is not based on scientific facts but rather on green-left ideology and fearmongering, unsettles and burdens our citizens. It not only leads to poverty and illness but also fosters the emergence of more climate extremists in the long term. In France, this climate hysteria has now even led to a rampage with dead and injured.
No one can have an interest in seeing our young people further frightened, unsettled, or even radicalized by this green-left ideology. We, the ESN Group in the European Parliament, say: Enough with irresponsible climate policy! Enough with the Green Deal!"
AfD Member of the European Parliament Petr Bystron visited imprisoned British activist Tommy Robinson yesterday at Woodhill Prison. Robinson has repeatedly faced repression due to his documentaries critical of Islam.
"Tommy Robinson is a political prisoner. He was convicted for distributing his video 'Silencer', even though several witnesses confirmed the truthfulness of the video in court. Robinson was imprisoned because he refused to withdraw the video. That is true civil courage! Despite this unjust treatment and the grueling conditions of solitary confinement, Robinson remains steadfast and intends to continue his fight for freedom of speech even after his release.
In doing so, he is also fighting for us, because the growing restrictions on freedom of speech across Europe have reached alarming levels. Just like in the UK, opposition figures and government-critical journalists are being suppressed and persecuted in the EU as well — the imprisonment of the blogger Shlomo and the suspended seven-month prison sentence for the editor-in-chief of Deutschland Kurier, David Bendels, for a satirical post, are just the latest examples from Germany.
In the European Parliament, we are fighting to ensure that voices like Tommy Robinson's are heard. We will not forget these individuals and will continue to advocate for the defense of freedom of speech and the depoliticization of the judiciary."
The European Commission is planning to introduce an annual mandatory inspection for all cars older than ten years. The aim of this measure is to improve road safety. However, the proposal still needs to be approved by the European Parliament and the EU member states before it can come into effect. Regarding this, ESN MEP Siegbert Droese stated:
"This proposal is yet another attack on the freedom and prosperity of our citizens. Instead of providing relief, it imposes an additional financial burden. Those who cannot afford a new car will be the ones punished by this measure.
It is unacceptable that the European Commission continues to harass citizens with ever more regulations and restrict individual mobility. Existing regulations are sufficient — this is a blatant attempt to push a green agenda under the guise of road safety and to further restrict individual mobility.
We call on the EU institutions to immediately withdraw this proposal, and we will vote against this senseless initiative in Parliament."
According to a response to a parliamentary question by MEP Alexander Jungbluth, the EU refuses to repatriate Syrian refugees to their home country.
Commenting on this, Alexander Jungbluth, Member of the European Parliament for the ESN Group, states:
“It took the EU Commission a full four months to respond to my inquiry. And the answer is sobering! Despite the regime change in Syria and the disappearance of the original grounds for fleeing the Assad government, the EU is not planning any repatriations.
For the EU, it apparently makes no difference whether an asylum seeker still has valid grounds for protection or not. The asylum system continues to serve only one purpose: to flood the EU with largely unqualified and culturally alien migrants. Once again, this response shows that the EU has no real interest in ending mass migration in the interest of its own citizens.”
The EU Commission plans to ease key elements of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and promises to reduce bureaucracy for European farmers. What may seem like a course correction at first glance is, in reality, an admission of political failure.
Arno Bausemer, Member of the European Parliament for the ESN Group and member of the Agriculture Committee, explains:
“For years, the Commission has systematically destroyed European agriculture through overregulation. Countless farmers have had to give up their farms – not due to a lack of performance, but because of an ideologically driven agricultural policy from Brussels. Now, the Commission is being tripped up by its own policies. The fact that measures such as GAEC standards are now to be watered down shows just how misguided the previous course was.
Despite the planned relief measures, the Commission’s overall direction remains questionable. Even the Directorate-General itself warns of the loss of oversight capabilities, and ideologically motivated climate regulations continue to play a central role in the agricultural sector.
Questionable steps such as the proposed tariffs on fertilizer imports from Russia further demonstrate that the EU Commission is not genuinely concerned with safeguarding European agriculture. Our farmers depend on this affordable fertilizer to maintain their competitiveness and must no longer be used as pawns in senseless political proxy wars.
Tinkering with a few minor adjustments is not enough when the ideological foundation remains intact. As long as climate ideology takes precedence over practical solutions, nothing will fundamentally change for Europe’s farmers.”
The EU has approved an aid package worth 1.6 billion euros for the Palestinian Authority. The funds are intended to support reforms, reconstruction, and administrative structures in the region, particularly in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The EU emphasizes that the money is tied to a willingness to reform — but no concrete conditions have been specified. Commenting on this, Alexander Jungbluth, MEP from the ESN group, states:
“Widespread corruption, barely functioning administration, and areas partly controlled by the radical Islamist Hamas — that’s where the EU wants to send 1.6 billion euros of European taxpayer money.
How the money will actually be used is almost impossible to monitor or even track transparently. While the EU talks about necessary reforms, it remains vague beyond that. As a general rule, aid to foreign countries should always be tied to the concept of remigration — in this case, the return of criminal and deportable Palestinians from Europe. That would actually be of help to Europe!”
The European Commission has launched a four-week public consultation to update its “Nuclear Illustrative Programme” (PNIC). The goal is to present a revised strategic document in the second quarter, outlining future investment needs in the European nuclear sector. The focus includes the construction of new reactors, lifetime extensions for existing plants, the management of radioactive waste, and the development of new technologies such as Small Modular Reactors and nuclear fusion. The backdrop to this initiative is the renewed interest in nuclear power among many EU member states.
Markus Buchheit, Member of the European Parliament from the ESN Group, comments:
“Even the European Commission – usually responsible for climate-ideological experiments like the Green Deal – is now backing the expansion of nuclear energy. Meanwhile, Germany continues on its isolated and ideologically driven path of phasing out nuclear power. This is not only disconnected from reality – it is extremely dangerous for our economic competitiveness.
The EU rightly recognizes that nuclear energy is an indispensable pillar for affordable, stable, and low-carbon electricity supply. New reactors, new technologies, more research, and targeted investments: other European countries are preparing for the future. And Germany? It is the only industrialized nation to completely shut down its functioning nuclear power plants – despite skyrocketing electricity prices, growing dependence on energy imports, and clear risks to energy security and the economy.
This ideological refusal to face reality harms not only the German people but also massively undermines our economic competitiveness. It is high time that Berlin wakes up: without nuclear energy, there can be no secure, independent, or future-proof energy supply – neither in Germany nor anywhere else.
We call on the German government to stop denying reality, reverse the nuclear phase-out, and finally act in a technologically open and responsible manner.”
The case of the rejected Eritrean asylum seeker Kahlid O., currently the subject of media attention, once again raises questions about German asylum policy. Despite entering via safe third countries and having his asylum application rejected, he committed several criminal offenses. After serving a prison sentence and receiving release payments, he reoffended. Deportation is currently considered unlikely, as Eritrea refuses to provide identification. The man is now receiving psychiatric treatment at the state's expense and remains in Germany. Regarding this, ESN parliamentary group MEP Mary Khan states:
“Countries like Eritrea have received millions of euros in aid payments from the European Union for years, yet refuse to take back their rejected nationals once their asylum claims are denied.
Germany must immediately part ways with the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act! Asylum seekers should no longer receive monetary benefits but should instead only receive in-kind benefits for the duration of their procedures.
As long as the federal government is not willing to act, benefits for rejected asylum seekers must be suspended, foreign remittances to their countries of origin must be immediately banned, and pressure on countries of origin must be increased by suspending aid payments.
Countries like Eritrea that actively prevent the return of rejected asylum seekers must no longer be rewarded for their behavior.”
According to plans by the EU’s chief diplomat Kaja Kallas, €40 billion are to be allocated for the continued armament of Ukrainian armed forces. Her proposal includes joint financing based on a distribution key that takes into account the gross national income of each EU member state. Following the latest Russian attacks, the proposal is once again gaining attention among several member states.
MEP Petr Bystron of the ESN group commented:
“The EU wants to finance the Ukrainian war machinery with another €40 billion – and Germany is supposed to pay for it. Under Ms. Kallas's distribution key, Germany would bear the lion’s share, meaning German taxpayers would be disproportionately burdened. We reject that. Instead of Germany supplying money for ammunition and prolonging the dying, we as the AfD delegation are calling for a diplomatic solution. Not a single additional euro of German taxpayer money should go to Ukraine!
This is all the more true now that the United States under President Trump is advocating for a negotiated solution to the conflict. It is disturbing that the EU so stubbornly refuses to recognize the signs of the times and contribute to a diplomatic resolution of the conflict.”
The European Court of Auditors criticizes the lack of transparency in the allocation of EU funding to non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Between 2021 and 2023, NGOs received around 7.4 billion euros, with 4.8 billion euros coming directly from the EU Commission. The report points out that there is no clear overview of how these funds are used, especially regarding lobbying activities and adherence to EU values by the NGOs. Additionally, there is no consistent definition of NGOs, further hindering transparency.
EU Member of Parliament Mary Khan of the ESN Group states:
"What has been uncovered here is a scandal: Left-wing networks are being funded with billions to push the ideological goals of the EU Commission and national governments – far from any democratic accountability.
The allocation of these funds is happening without any transparency and in the billions. The EU Commission repeatedly positions itself as a moral compass while harshly criticizing states that oppose it. However, the reality is quite the opposite. The EU Commission operates far from any democratic rules, as the latest report from the European Court of Auditors reveals.
As part of the ESN Group, we have made it our mission to expose this swamp. Whether this new scandal is just the tip of the iceberg remains to be seen. We will certainly continue to dig deeper."
The response from the European Commission to a written question by ESN Member of the European Parliament Mary Khan is sobering. Mary Khan wanted to know the financial burden in the areas of healthcare, housing, education, security, and social welfare. Instead of answers, she received vague phrases and ignorance. Mary Khan comments:
“‘We don’t know – and we don’t want to know.’ These words sum up the response of the European Commission and Commissioner Magnus Brunner briefly and clearly.”
Apparently, Brussels fears the political explosive power of honest figures. Every year, hundreds of thousands of illegal migrants enter the EU – yet no one wants to know what this costs. Those who don’t count, don’t have to take responsibility. And those who don’t measure, can gloss over everything. The refusal to provide any transparency is a slap in the face to European taxpayers.
I therefore call for an independent, country-specific, and transparent cost analysis of illegal migration. Anyone who wants to talk about migration must also talk about its consequences – honestly, based on data, and without ideological filters. Anything else is political window dressing at the expense of the citizens.
The ESN Group has submitted a motion for a European Parliament resolution calling for a strong and united response to what it sees as Germany’s departure from financial stability. The initiative highlights concerns over Germany’s use of “Sondervermögen” (special funds) and its potential impact on EU fiscal rules and overall economic stability.
Alexander Jungbluth, Member of the European Parliament for the ESN Group and member of the BUDG Committee, stated:
“The debt binge we are currently witnessing in Germany endangers not only the country’s own stability but also that of the entire European financial system. That’s why, together with the European Parliament, we are calling on the Commission to take action to ensure that the Federal Republic of Germany complies with existing EU law and stops violating the Maastricht criteria.
If the European Parliament wants to maintain its credibility when it comes to upholding European rules and laws, our resolution must be taken seriously and negotiated across party lines. There can only be one conclusion: under the leadership of Friedrich Merz, the German government is not only jeopardizing the future of its own citizens and generations to come, but also playing with the financial and economic security of the entire Eurozone.”
Siegbert Droese (ESN/AfD), Member of the European Parliament, strongly criticises the proposed EU directive on driving licence reform as well as the directive on licence withdrawal, calling them bureaucratic and patronising. As shadow rapporteur for both proposals, he took part in the negotiations and warns of the consequences for citizens and Member States – despite the ESN Group’s efforts in both trilogues to tone down the drafts:
“Under the guise of road safety, the EU aimed to push through far-reaching interference in national traffic policy. However, many of the directive’s absurd proposals – such as mandatory medical checks for seniors only, age-based speed limits, or bans on SUVs and night driving for novice drivers – were successfully blocked in negotiations thanks to the centre-right majority.
In the talks on the licence withdrawal directive, we also managed to remove the originally planned EU-wide points system. This proves that resistance to excessive EU regulation can be successful.
Still, the proposed rules remain deeply problematic, representing yet another disproportionate infringement on national sovereignty – at the expense of citizens and with no real benefit to road safety.
What we need is pragmatic transport policy that ensures safety with common sense – not more red tape and top-down control from Brussels.”
A new report reveals how the European Commission is indirectly shaping public opinion through the funding of non-governmental organisations (NGOs). According to the investigation, this has led to the creation of a dense network that promotes political narratives aligned with the EU – all without public transparency. These revelations raise serious questions about the political neutrality and democratic legitimacy of this practice.
Mary Khan, Member of the European Parliament for the ESN Group, stated:
“What the EU calls ‘value promotion’ is nothing more than a massive propaganda machine, funded with millions in taxpayer money, designed to manipulate public opinion. Whether in Georgia, Bulgaria, or Romania – we see the destructive influence of the European Union everywhere: the division into ‘good’ and ‘bad’, and targeted interference in elections and political processes.
The recent revelations about the EU Commission’s covert funding of NGOs confirm what the AfD has been warning about for years: taxpayer money is being used to support organisations that spread government-aligned narratives and suppress critical voices. This network undermines democratic plurality of opinion and serves as an indirect propaganda tool of Brussels.
As AfD and ESN, we demand full transparency regarding financial flows and an end to political influence by so-called independent actors. The new U.S. administration is setting an example by dismantling similar projects on its own soil.”
The European Commission has presented its Defence White Paper alongside the €800 billion rearmament programme Rearm Europe. A central element of this strategy is the mobilisation of private savings through the so-called Savings and Investment Union (SIU) to boost investments in the defence industry. The aim is to strengthen Europe’s defence capabilities and continue support for Ukraine.
Alexander Jungbluth, Member of the European Parliament for the ESN Group, commented:
“First, the German EU Commission President von der Leyen calls for billions in European rearmament without any mandate – and now she wants to get her hands on the savings of European citizens. For years, our money has already been handed out in the form of tax contributions to Ukraine without any oversight or transparency.
But these latest demands mark a new peak: The EU not only seeks to further limit national sovereignty but now wants to redirect individual citizens’ savings into investments for the war economy.
With this, the European Commission is increasingly and openly beating the drum for a ‘total war’ in Ukraine.
As the AfD delegation, we stand for the exact opposite of this EU – for peace, the preservation of cash, national sovereignty, and the right of savers to use their money as they see fit. Not a single cent more must go to Ukraine!”
Once again, the European Parliament is hit by a corruption scandal. Dozens of private residences have been searched across several member states, offices within the European Parliament have been sealed and investigated, and MEPs and their assistants are implicated. Our MEP, Mary Khan, a member of the JURI Committee, stated:
"For the ESN Group, this comes as no surprise. Corruption is not an 'incident'; it is a core element of how the European Parliament operates.
The root of the problem lies in the EP-Bureau, where decisions are made—without any public transparency—regarding the European Parliament's staggering annual budget of 2 billion euros. Elected MEPs from ESN and Patriots have been deliberately excluded from this process.
Millions are wasted on shady real estate projects worldwide, including the purchase and rental of excessively expensive and unnecessary properties in Paris, London, and Washington, with recently planned acquisitions even in Kyiv and Moldova."
The lifting of immunity for the MEPs implicated in this latest corruption scandal will be handled by the JURI Committee. Recently, left-wing MEPs used procedural tricks to delay the removal of immunity for Italian communist MEP Ilaria Salis, who is being prosecuted in Hungary for Antifa-related terrorist attacks. Mary Khan has already warned against similar procedural maneuvers:
"We will not tolerate any further attempts by MEPs in JURI to delay the lifting of immunity for those involved in this corruption scandal. Their immunity must be revoked immediately, without delay, so that justice can take its proper course."
The Romanian presidential candidate Călin Georgescu is no longer allowed to run in the Romanian elections. This decision was made by the central electoral office in Bucharest. Georgescu had unexpectedly won the first round of the presidential elections in November 2024. Shortly before the runoff election, the Constitutional Court annulled the first round.
AfD Member of the European Parliament Petr Bystron commented:
"The EU country Romania is swiftly abolishing democracy and is receiving support from Brussels. The annulment of the first election alone is a blatant scandal and a disgrace for the country. In the new elections, Georgescu would have likely won even more decisively – which is why they are now trying to prevent him from running altogether.
Additionally, there is an effort to damage Georgescu by all means: absurd accusations from the press and the judiciary, arrests, and the undermining of free elections.
What is happening in Romania is a disgrace for the EU – which is not only watching with a smile but also actively pulling the strings in the background. The EU is revealing its true face: While violent demonstrators are being supported against the legitimately elected government in Georgia, an attempted coup is underway in Romania.
The final decision of the Constitutional Court is still pending on Wednesday – a court that already annulled the first election on flimsy grounds. The AfD delegation strongly condemns the developments in Romania. Our political vision is a free and sovereign Europe of nations, in which the will of the people is respected."
The German EU MP of the ESN faction, Markus Buchheit (AfD), responds to EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s proposal to postpone the tightening of CO₂ fleet limits:
"The increasingly rigid fleet limits for car manufacturers are making the production of internal combustion engine vehicles ever more unprofitable. This is equivalent to a de facto ban on combustion engines. To keep our automotive industry internationally competitive, we do not just need a postponement of the tightening of fleet limits, but an end to them altogether."
Buchheit sees the fleet limits and the ban on new registrations of internal combustion engine vehicles in the EU from 2035 as primarily an ideologically driven attack on individual mobility – to the detriment of citizens' prosperity and freedom.
"The European automotive industry is falling further and further behind manufacturers, particularly from China. The main reason for this is, among other things, the absurd political coercion and the ever-increasing politically induced disadvantages of location. However, European prosperity depends significantly on the performance of the European automotive industry. With these overreaching regulations, the EU is ultimately sawing off the very branch it is sitting on," Buchheit concludes.
At a government summit in London, Ursula von der Leyen called for a "massive armament" of Ukraine. To achieve this, the EU must increase defense investments over an extended period. This means that further billions will flow into Ukraine’s war preparations.
In response, Alexander Sell, MP of the ESN faction, stated:
"This EU still has not understood the signs of the times. In Europe, citizens long for peace and stability. Von der Leyen's warlike stance is completely detached from the interests of the people in Ukraine and Europe.
While the United States is engaging in dialogue with Russia and has taken a seat at the negotiating table, the EU Commission—especially under the leadership of German Commission President Ursula von der Leyen—is calling for a continuation of the bloodshed in the East.
This war must finally come to an end. It is unacceptable that this conflict is being prolonged with multi-billion aid packages at the expense of European taxpayers, while the people on the ground continue to be used as pawns in the game of international powers.
Since its founding, the ESN faction has been advocating for peace in Europe and an end to the senseless bloodshed in Ukraine. Diplomatic relations must remain possible in all directions, even in times of crisis. Closing one’s eyes to reality and hoping for Ukraine’s victory is not only dangerous but is playing with fire, risking a Third World War."
Brussels/Bucharest, February 26, 2025 – Romanian election winner Călin Georgescu has been arrested, and his election annulled. Under the flimsy pretext of "Russian influence," the EU and Romanian authorities have launched an unprecedented political persecution. Supporters are being intimidated, homes searched, and lawyers prevented from doing their jobs. A fair trial is unthinkable under such conditions.
"The EU has lost all credibility. It is sliding further and further into authoritarianism. Now the Eurocrats are showing their true face: elections are annulled, opposition figures imprisoned – democracy is being trampled on!" criticizes Petr Bystron.
Bystron demands the immediate release of Călin Georgescu and an end to political repression. "The EU must return to democracy. Those who abolish fundamental rights and free elections do not stand for European values but for dictatorship."
LIBE-committee with ESN Group votes down the left-wing political ‘guidelines’ for the 2026 EU-budget
The members of the European Parliament's Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) met on Tuesday February 18 in Brussels.
The members of the Committee were due to vote on a report, drafted by Andrzej Halicki (PPE, Poland), giving the political guidelines to the European Commission for the spending of the huge 2026 EU-budget.
These guidelines are usually approved by the majority, and disapproved by the opposition. However, in a remarkable outcome, the draft report only got 25 votes in favour, with a clear 37 against and 5 abstentions.
With this vote, the so-called ‘old majority’ in the European Parliament lies in shatters.
The ESN MEPs opposed this draft report for several reasons:
• The report calls for continued ‘direct funding to civil society organisations’, while NGOs receive €1.7 billion in European funding every year, and this funding has led to massive corruption scandals;
• The report wants to increase the Union’s support ‘to counter hate speech’, while Europe needs more freedom of speech;
• The report asked to ‘fight the spread of disinformation at a large scale and develop more effective countermeasures’, while this is a pretext for unacceptable censorship against dissident voices and opinions.
The votes of the ESN Group, represented by MEPs Ewa ZAJACZKOWSKA (Konfederacja, Poland), Mary KHAN (AfD, Germany) and Petar VOLGIN (Revival party, Bulgaria) were again crucial in making this strong signal for freedom of speech and a clear stance against mass immigration.
Washington,
February 24, 2025
CPAC 2025 - An ESN delegation visited the Conservative Congress in Washington
Every year since 1974, the Americans have organised a major gathering of conservatives from all over the world. Once again this year, a large number of prominent figures attended the event, in the context of the recent election of Donald Trump. The ESN Group in the European Parliament naturally attended the event and sent a delegation.
Members of the European Parliament from the ESN group were able to listen to President Donald Trump and other high-level speakers. The convention showed that the members of the ESN group share many of the same values as conservatives and patriots from around the world:
People's freedom. A wind of freedom is blowing through Western democracies and the ESN Group fully shares this democratic aspiration. They support messages addressed to the convention by Elon Musk and US Vice-President JD Vance. Both underlined the dangers to freedom of expression in European democracies, which was welcomed by the ESN Group.
The sovereignty of nations. The values of independence, autonomy and sovereignty of nations were also widely reiterated at CPAC. Nigel Farage called on the various nations to remain free and sovereign.
The need to install capable and effective governments. The MEPs of the ESN Group were also able to appreciate the examples set by the President of Argentina, Javier Milei, and the Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, who have succeeded, in their respective countries, in obtaining rapid results that have been acclaimed by their populations.
The will to secure the borders. Finally, the ESN delegation at CPAC listened attentively to new Border Czar of the American administration, Mr Tom Homan, who has achieved spectacular results in 4 weeks, with a 95% drop in illegal entries into the United States.
The MEPs of the ESN Group in the European Parliament came back from this event strengthened in their fight to serve their sovereign nations.
The EU secretly funneled €132.82 million to media outlets across Europe to influence the 2024 European elections, as revealed by Il Fatto Quotidiano on February 11, 2025!
Top officials Ursula von der Leyen and Roberta Metsola, with support from the EU Council, used a framework contract with Havas Media France (Vivendi Group) to distribute funds while keeping recipients and amounts hidden. No transparency, no accountability – just taxpayer money buying EU-friendly news coverage!
Major media like Rai, Mediaset, Sky, Corriere della Sera, and Repubblica were PAID for favorable articles about Brussels. Is this journalism or propaganda?
EU institutions don’t sell products, so why hire an ad agency if not to manipulate the narrative? Democracy demands transparency, not hidden payments to the press!
ESN will demand in the European Parliament full disclosure of all media that benefited from this, and a full investigation to this unprecedented illegal manipulation of the European elections by the EU itself.
This blatant manipulation of public opinion using public funds is a disgrace. Full story by Il Fatto Quotidiano: https://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/.../ben-130.../7872331/..”
The process to revoke the immunity of Italian MEP Ilaria Salis has begun. Today, the left-wing MEP must justify herself before the JURI Committee of the European Parliament regarding violent attacks in Hungary. The resulting report will determine the next steps in the procedure. Salis, elected for the Alleanza Verdi e Sinistra after a lengthy detention in Hungary, is accused of severe hammer attacks on civilians in Hungary.
Mary Khan, MEP of the ESN Group, stated:
“At the time, the video of the hammer attacks on Hungarian civilians shocked all of Europe. We are witnessing a worrying escalation of left-wing violence in many countries. It is even more outrageous when left-wing parties undermine the rule of law by abusing parliamentary immunity to set offenders free. Viktor Orbán is right to demand the revocation of Ilaria Salis' immunity – we support this demand.
Only through decisive action can we prevent political interests from undermining the rule of law and endangering the safety and freedom of our society. Ilaria Salis belongs in prison, not in Parliament.”
Brussels – AfD Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Petr Bystron is calling for an immediate investigation into the activities of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in the European Union. The background to this demand is allegations that USAID sought to influence the 2024 European elections through disinformation campaigns in several EU countries. These allegations are based on revelations by Elon Musk and Donald Trump regarding illegal practices within USAID.
"Trump has done fantastic groundwork; now we must also quickly and comprehensively uncover illegal election interference by foreign states in Europe," said Bystron. He stated that there is a strong suspicion that foreign influence has massively manipulated the composition of the EU Parliament. "The EU must relentlessly combat all forms of hybrid warfare, foreign propaganda, and disinformation."
Bystron criticized the fact that USAID-funded media had deliberately targeted opposition forces. "Our democracy must be protected from foreign influences," said the AfD politician. He argued that it is the responsibility of European institutions to investigate these manipulations and ensure the security of future elections.
The U.S. Agency for International Development is currently facing criticism for allegedly using intelligence funds to influence elections and carry out regime changes worldwide. U.S. President Donald Trump has therefore drastically cut USAID’s budget and placed all employees on leave as of February 7.
Last Wednesday, the ESN Group awarded Tamara Lich with the "Women Fighting for Freedom" prize. Tamara Lich is a Canadian political activist and one of the main organizers of the so-called "Freedom Convoy" in 2022. This protest began as a movement by truck drivers against COVID-19 vaccination mandates and expanded into a broader protest against government measures and restrictions. The AfD Member of the European Parliament in the ESN Group, Christine Anderson, commented:
"It was a great honor for our Group to welcome Mrs. Lich as a guest in Strasbourg and later award her. Tamara Lich embodies the fight against an overbearing state and for the freedom of its citizens like no one else. Even after facing the harshest sanctions from the Canadian government and being arrested during the protests in Ottawa, Tamara Lich did not let herself be intimidated. 'They picked the wrong woman,' says Tamara Lich herself, defiantly. Her courage and commitment are an inspiration to us all."
Carola Rackete loses court case against AfD-Delegation
Carola Rackete, the german Left Party’s top candidate for the European elections, has lost a legal battle against the AfD delegation in the European Parliament at the Berlin Regional Court. Rackete had sued the delegation, seeking to prevent being referred to as a “smuggler.” However, the former captain of the "Sea-Watch" has now lost in court, which ruled that "a certain factual connection" to the term cannot be denied. Markus Buchheit, a Member of the European Parliament from the AfD delegation, commented: "What the AfD has repeatedly emphasized and made public is now legally confirmed. Carola Rackete may be referred to as a smuggler. The activities of so-called sea rescuers cannot be described otherwise. Those who lure refugees into the Mediterranean off the North African coast and then bring them to Europe like a prearranged shuttle service are smugglers! We will do everything in our power to put an end to this criminal activity!"
On migration, the Europe of Sovereign Nations (ESN) group stands for a strict and restrictive migration policy. ESN opposes the centralisation of migration policy by the European Union and believes that responsibility for migration and border management should lie entirely with individual member states. ESN opposes the European redistribution mechanism for refugees and migrants as we believe it undermines the sovereignty of countries and forces us to take in migrants against our will.
ESN sees large-scale migration as a risk to national security, culture and social cohesion and calls for strict border controls and effective protection of Europe's external borders. Furthermore, the group stresses the importance of return policies, whereby migrants without the right of residence are swiftly sent back to their countries of origin. ESN also strongly opposes legal migration programmes at European level and believes that each member state should be able to decide for itself who can or cannot enter its borders.
With the Executive Order on the Deportation of Alien Enemies, U.S. President Donald Trump will deport 530,000 migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. Opponents filed lawsuits against the deportations. After legal challenges, the Supreme Court has now ruled in Trump’s favor: the U.S. Supreme Court decided that revoking the residency status of these immigrants is legitimate.
Commenting on this, Petr Bystron, Member of the ESN Group in the EU Parliament, stated:
“Donald Trump is thus able to fulfill one of his central campaign promises and continue the deportation of hundreds of thousands of illegal migrants from the United States. Across the West, people are longing for the restoration of law and order. And this can only be achieved through remigration! Trump is showing the entire world that large-scale remigration is indeed possible.
We in the AfD have been demanding such a turnaround in Europe for years. After MAGA comes MEGA – Make Europe Great Again!”
On the occasion of the presidential election in Poland, Tomasz Froelich, Deputy Head of the AfD Delegation in the EU Parliament, states:
“We congratulate Karol Nawrocki on his election victory. This prevents unchecked rule by Donald Tusk’s liberal Civic Platform, which pursues a woke, green, belligerent, and EU-subservient agenda and ruthlessly opposes the patriotic and right-wing opposition.
During the campaign, Nawrocki committed to the Konfederacja candidate Sławomir Mentzen to withdraw from the Migration Pact and the Green Deal, to refrain from sending soldiers to Ukraine, and to oppose Ukraine’s accession to NATO and the EU. He will be measured by these promises.
At the EU level, he can count on our support if he seriously pursues these goals. Our countries face similar challenges. If we are to overcome them, it would be wise to finally lay to rest the conflicts of the past.”
During a meeting of the EU’s special committee “European Democracy Shield,” extensive investments in media and fact-checking projects were proposed, ostensibly to protect freedom of the press and expression within the European Union. Funding on the order of billions is to be made available for these media outlets—also as a reaction to recent cutbacks at the U.S. development agency USAID.
ESN Group MEP Petr Bystron commented:
“We’re talking about billions that Brussels apparently intends to pour—without any real democratic oversight—into a new censorship and propaganda infrastructure. Under the guise of ‘protecting democracy,’ a vast subsidy machine is being created for government-friendly platforms and media, while critical voices continue to be excluded.
That European taxpayers are now expected to fill the gap left by USAID’s cuts is an affront to anyone who believes in genuine media diversity. Brussels presumes to decide which information is ‘good’ or ‘bad,’ which media are ‘free’ and which are ‘propaganda.’ In doing so, the EU is definitively abandoning the free marketplace of ideas.
We will oppose these plans resolutely. If the European Union were serious about press and speech freedom, it would tolerate inconvenient or foreign broadcasters instead of pumping billions into an ideological police force. Disinformation and propaganda are always blamed on others—yet with this program Brussels is institutionalizing one-sided control of opinion itself.”
Yesterday the European Parliament adopted new tariffs on agricultural products and fertilizers from Russia and Belarus by 411 votes in favor, 100 against and 78 abstentions. Most MEPs from the CDU/CSU, SPD and Greens voted for the measure, while the ESN group opposed it by a large majority.
ESN MEP Markus Buchheit commented:
“The European Union has become a prisoner of its own sanctions strategy. It is not bringing more peace and security; instead it is harming our own citizens and businesses most of all. Rather than forcing Russia to its economic knees, we are seeing falling exports, production losses and rising prices—especially for fertilizers and food. The Commission itself warns of consequences for food security, yet this misguided policy continues. We finally need the courage to abandon this wrong path and choose diplomacy over economic self-harm.”
Given the growing economic imbalance, the AfD delegation is calling for a change of course in the EU’s Russia policy. Instead of further tariffs and sanctions—whose main burden is borne by European businesses and consumers—the Union must pursue dialogue and political solutions.
Against the backdrop of the South African President’s visit with Donald Trump, Member of the European Parliament Siegbert Frank Droese views with concern the European Commission’s decision earlier this year to back South Africa with an investment package worth €4.7 billion despite glaring breaches of the rule of law. In a written question, Droese demanded a clear position from the Commission on the South African Expropriation Act, signed in January 2025, which empowers the state to seize land without compensation. The Commission’s reply, now available, remains vague. Siegbert Droese, MEP of the ESN Group, states:
“While the Commission stresses it will ‘monitor developments’, the situation on the ground has been escalating for years, and white farmers are the target of a brutal wave of violence – including routine torture, rape and murder. International human-rights organizations warn of systematic action against the white minority, yet the South African government plays it down or stays silent. Just like the red-green public in Germany and the EU, which apparently looks the other way when faced with anti-white racism.
It is a scandal: white farmers are being murdered, expropriated and deprived of their rights – and Brussels rewards this conduct with billions!
Given these conditions, many victims have already sought refuge in the United States – with the backing of U.S. President Donald Trump, who recently even hosted the South African President. Trump openly confronted him with a video documenting the violent persecution of the white minority. Meanwhile, the left-wing press mocks these people, referring to them as ‘refugees’ in quotation marks – and the EU remains silent.
Particularly revolting: the supposedly human-rights-minded EU finds no words for the crimes in South Africa. Instead, it throws taxpayers’ billions at a corrupt regime!
As long as property rights are abolished in South Africa, racist violence is down-played and tolerated, and a minority is systematically persecuted, not a single cent from Brussels should flow there. The EU makes itself complicit when it bankrolls a corrupt regime of injustice that is forcing a genocide in its own country. There must be an immediate halt to all EU investments in South Africa and an open condemnation of the Expropriation Act and the violence against white South Africans!”
Today, the European Parliament rejected an amendment tabled by ESN Group that simply reaffirmed its commitment to full transparency following the EU General Court’s recent ruling on Pfizergate.
The Court ruled on 14 May 2025 that the European Commission was wrong to withhold text messages between its President and the CEO of Pfizer—messages exchanged during vaccine procurement talks. The judgment confirmed that such messages fall under EU transparency rules and must be made public. In response, we proposed that Parliament “reiterates its full commitment to complete transparency on this matter.”
Yet, astonishingly, a majority—including nearly all Members of S&D, the Greens, and the Left, notably Daniel Freund and Martin Schirdewan—voted against this basic statement of principle.
Christine Anderson, author of the amendment and Chief Whip of the ESN Group, stated:
“Our amendment was neither controversial nor partisan. Yet, the left and green side of the House votes against it. This is a stunning display of hypocrisy. These very same MEPs publicly applauded the Court’s ruling but refused to support a basic commitment to openness when it counted. Transparency must not be a slogan—it must be a principle. We will not let this matter be swept under the rug, nor will we allow Ursula von der Leyen to escape accountability.”
The European Parliament's LIBE Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs has approved a report on the state of the rule of law in the EU in 2024.
In a highly political report, the committee approved more censorship of social networks, more funding for left-wing NGOs and condemnation of Hungary.
In a surprising vote, it was even approved that Member States that have not yet done so should introduce legal recognition of same-sex partnerships.
It could only be voted through with a left-wing majority supported by EPP votes. The ESN Group regrets that EPP members gave in to the injunctions of the left.
Legal recognition of same-sex partnerships was approved by EPP-MEPs Monika Hohlmeier (Germany), Verena Mertens (Germany), Oliver Schenk (Germany), Ioan-Rareş Bogdan (Romania), Paulo Cunha (Portugal), Rasa Juknevičienė (Lithuania), Jeroen Lenaers (The Netherlands), Jüri Ratas (Estonia), Tomas Tobé (Sweden), Maria Walsh (Ireland), Javier Zarzalejos (Spain) and Tomáš Zdechovský (Czechia).
ESN will continue to defend genuinely right-wing positions, such as the sovereignty of Member States to decide for themselves on this topic.
Milan UHRIK, MEP,
ESN coordinator in the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs
The European Commission has significantly downgraded its growth forecast for the eurozone – to 0.9% for 2025 and 1.4% for 2026. One of the main reasons is the economic weakness in Germany. ESN MEP Rada Laykova commented:
"The EU has already been in economic stagnation for about a decade. Even those 1% growths reported are mostly just the result of statistical tricks. The European Commission is quick to point fingers at the USA or Russia, but the problems in Europe are homemade. The current drastic cut in the EU’s growth forecast is yet another sign of the failure of Brussels’ current policies. Instead of strengthening the competitiveness of European companies, the Commission has pursued an ideologically driven agenda of economic self-sabotage in recent years – from excessive bureaucracy to costly climate regulations that particularly hurt our industry. Does the EU learn? No. The Draghi report only just admitted what the so-called 'EU critics' have been saying for a decade: the EU, with its doctrine of ever more planned economy, monetary distortion and regulation, is undermining Europe’s competitiveness. However, the Draghi report just admits the problem after it had become impossible to hide the economic stagnation anymore, but then demands that allegedly only 'more EU' is the solution to something which was caused by already 'too much EU'. A common trick of the EU: create a problem yourself and then spin its causality for even more control and more money for the EU.
What is especially worrying is the economic stagnation in Germany, the backbone of Europe’s economy. High energy prices – caused by the self-imposed disconnection from reliable energy sources – and a massive investment backlog are problems of the EU’s own making. An industrial economy cannot exist without cheap and reliable energy. Germany no longer has either. The Commission bears responsibility because it constantly interferes too much in national economic policies or energy imports instead of enabling independent solutions.
In light of the economic situation, the ESN Group calls for an immediate moratorium on all new EU regulations that further burden businesses, as well as a fundamental reorientation of energy policy toward affordable and secure supply for citizens and industry. In addition, we need to access some of our own sources for certain resources, especially since the EU seems to intentionally head into economic and geopolitical isolation when you read some of its newest reports. The 'intentionally' is, of course, not admitted, but can be observed. Furthermore, a return to sound fiscal policy and responsible use of EU funds is urgently needed. The EU, though, is heading for the exact opposite.”
Following significant international pressure, the British judiciary has reversed its decision: British activist Tommy Robinson is being released roughly two months before the end of his original prison sentence. His imprisonment was controversial from the start and drew criticism from around the world. Member of the European Parliament Petr Bystron is considered one of his strongest supporters. During Robinson's incarceration, Bystron visited him in England and kept the public informed about his case.
MEP Petr Bystron, a member of the ESN Group, commented:
"Tommy is not an isolated case. In the heart of Europe, people are being intimidated, censored, and criminalized for exposing wrongdoing.
I will continue to stand up for all these courageous individuals who fight for freedom of speech and justice.
I am pleased that Tommy is pressing on and already planning new initiatives. His courage inspires many.
We will never allow the truth to be suppressed—neither by court orders nor by prison walls."
Representatives of the European Parliament and the governments of the member states agreed yesterday on a phased introduction of the so-called Entry/Exit System (EES). While the European Commission and mainstream media are hailing this as a success, AfD MEP Mary Khan sees it as a disturbing revelation of the disastrous state of the EU’s external borders, which have suffered from grossly inadequate control for years:
“For several years now, the Commission has been announcing the introduction of the Entry/Exit System (EES) as a tool to improve identity verification at the EU’s external borders. The collection of biometric data and the digital registration of all entries and exits by third-country nationals is long overdue in order to ensure effective border controls, prevent multiple identities, and combat illegal migration more effectively.
But instead of taking decisive action, the Commission has repeatedly postponed the system’s implementation for years—most recently in December 2024, shifting the responsibility onto the member states, even though the original launch had been planned for 2020.
In the meantime, millions of migrants have entered illegally without their identities being thoroughly checked or registered. This has created a massive security gap that the EU has allowed to grow over the years—at the expense not only of the European population but also of our security, our values, and our future.
The catastrophic consequences of these delays reveal both an organizational failure—highlighted by the awarding of the contract to IT company Atos, formerly led by Commissioner Thierry Breton and only moderately successful in execution—and a lack of political will to address the issue of illegal mass migration.”
In a preliminary assessment, the European Commission has accused the platform TikTok of violating European digital regulations. For ESN Member of the European Parliament Mary Khan, one thing is clear: this is not a technocratic concern — it is a targeted attack on digital freedom of expression in Europe. The MEP explained:
“While U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance used the Munich Security Conference to emphatically highlight the limits of illiberal control fantasies to the EU elites, von der Leyen and her allies continue undeterred on their path of acting as a moral censorship authority. Now TikTok is under fire — a platform that many young people value precisely because of its unfiltered content, seeing it as a space for free expression.
The real reason: because parties like the AfD — and many other patriotic movements across Europe — are able to reach millions on TikTok, the Brussels power cartel sees the platform as a thorn in its side. This is no longer about data protection or regulation — it is about total control over information and opinion. Those who think critically are to be silenced.
Free speech is the Achilles’ heel of any liberal order, and today it is being attacked by Brussels under flimsy pretexts. We stand firmly and unconditionally for digital freedom of expression. The European Commission must immediately end its ideologically driven course of censorship.”
The European Court of Justice has reprimanded the EU Commission over the disappearance of text messages between Ursula von der Leyen and Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla regarding the multi-billion euro vaccine deals.
Christine Anderson, Member of the ESN Group, commented as follows:
“Today’s ruling by the EU General Court is a political earthquake in the affair surrounding the secret COVID-19 vaccine contracts. The European Commission violated the right to transparency by refusing access to text messages exchanged between Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and the CEO of Pfizer. The court has now made it clear: the deletion of these messages was unlawful.
This deliberate disregard for legal and transparency obligations cannot go unpunished. Von der Leyen’s personal misconduct is emblematic of a broader institutional failure within the Commission. Both von der Leyen and the Commission must be held accountable. A parliamentary committee of inquiry must now be established – with real powers, including the authority to compel von der Leyen to testify under oath. Only such a process can ensure genuine and comprehensive accountability.
As early as 2023, the European Parliament’s COVID Committee sought to question the Commission President – but she refused to appear. That cannot and must not be the end of the matter.
Those who hold positions of responsibility must not be allowed to evade scrutiny. The EU must now prove that it has learned from this scandal – or it risks permanently losing the trust of its citizens.”
The ESN Group in the European Parliament warmly congratulates Pope Leo XIV on his election and extends its heartfelt wishes for a pontificate marked by blessing and strength. As the spiritual leader of more than one billion Catholics, he assumes a responsibility of historic and global significance.
The co-president of the ESN Group, René Aust, explains:
„Especially in times of societal disorientation, the voice of the Church can serve as a vital compass and anchor.
May Pope Leo XIV, with wisdom, courage, and the help of God, strengthen the bond between faith, truth, and freedom in Europe.
May God protect Pope Leo XIV.“
On May 8, 2025, the European Parliament voted with 371 in favor, 162 against, and 37 abstentions to downgrade the protection status of the wolf across the EU from “strictly protected” to “protected.” This change gives member states greater flexibility to remove problematic animals, provided that the species maintains a favorable conservation status. Support came primarily from agricultural sectors and conservative MEPs, while Greens, WWF, and other animal protection organizations warned of a setback for species conservation. After formal approval by the Council of Ministers, member states will have 18 months to transpose the change into national law.
Commenting on this, Anja Arndt, MEP of the ESN Group, stated:
“With this decision, Parliament is finally addressing the real challenges faced in our rural regions. We are giving member states a flexible tool to take the legitimate concerns of livestock farmers seriously, without demonizing the wolf across the board. The downgrading of the protection status is a welcome step, especially for farming operations and alpine pastoralism. At last, a path is being cleared to protect grazing animals, family-run farms, and tourism from increasing attacks.
Once again, the voting behavior of the Greens reveals their detachment from reality: ideological dogmas are being placed above the existential fears of people in rural areas.
Now Berlin must act immediately and use this new flexibility to grant uncomplicated shooting permits for problem wolves. The announced 18-month period must not be used as an excuse to delay action.”
Today, the European Parliament was scheduled to decide whether to extend the trade protection measures suspended since 2022 for certain Ukrainian products — including steel — once again. Critics fear that the tariff-free import regime continues to undermine the competitiveness of European farmers, steel companies, and small and medium-sized enterprises. An open letter from the Steel Pipe Industry Association (WVSR) to all Members of the European Parliament warns of “disastrous consequences” for EU industry and urges rejection of the extension.
The Europe of Sovereign Nations (ESN) Group has therefore submitted a procedural motion to postpone the vote in order to allow for a more in-depth assessment of the economic impact. ESN MEP Prof. Dr. Hans Neuhoff stated:
“We have requested that the planned vote on further tariff suspensions for imports from Ukraine be postponed. Otherwise, our domestic economy — from family-run farms to medium-sized industries and the steel sector — would come under massive pressure.
Ukraine produces with dumping wages and without comparable environmental or social standards. If their goods continue to enter the EU unchecked, we risk jobs and value creation across Europe.
The open letter from the Steel Pipe Industry Association clearly highlights these concerns. We reacted quickly and took the concerns of small and medium-sized enterprises seriously. Unfortunately, many MEPs — particularly from the usual camps of the traditional parties — once again prioritized the interests of Ukraine over those of their own nations. The necessary votes to approve our motion for postponement were not secured — yet another nail in the coffin for the German economy.”
On May 6, 2025, the Europe of Sovereign Nations (ESN) Group, meeting in Strasbourg, unanimously welcomed the candidacy of Mr Volker Schnurrbusch, who becomes the 27th member of the ESN Group.
Volker Schnurrbusch is a German Member of the European Parliament and a member of Alternative für Deutschland (AFD). He joined the European Parliament at the beginning of April 2025 and has sat until now as a non-attached Member.
This is the second expansion of the ESN Group in less than six months, following the integration of Milan Mazurek in January 2025.
It has been officially confirmed today: The request to establish a committee of inquiry into the EU Commission's vaccine contracts — in particular the controversial Pfizer deals under Ursula von der Leyen — has reached the required 180 supporters in the European Parliament. The request, titled “TRAC – Transparency and Accountability,” will now be submitted to the Conference of Presidents for further decision in accordance with Article 215 of the Rules of Procedure.
The planned committee is intended to thoroughly investigate:
• the EU Commission’s vaccine negotiations, particularly the personal SMS communications between the Commission President and Pfizer,
• alleged corruption cases such as Qatargate and Huaweigate,
• as well as the influence exerted by non-governmental organizations funded by the Commission.
Christine Anderson, Member of the European Parliament for the ESN Group, stated:
“One of my key priorities during this legislative term has been the review of COVID-19 policies, especially regarding vaccine procurement. Citizens have a right to know how multi-billion euro contracts with liability waivers could be concluded via text message. This committee will shine a light on the dark corners of corruption within the Commission — not only in relation to vaccines but also concerning the influence of Chinese companies and Gulf states.
Now it is up to the European Christian Democrats, Social Democrats, Greens, and Leftists to decide whether they will heed our call for transparency, accountability, and political responsibility — or continue to beat the drum of so-called transparency while failing to act themselves.
My special thanks go to the Patriots for Europe group, who contributed greatly to mobilizing support and bringing this issue firmly onto the agenda. Together, we now demand: full transparency, thorough investigation, and political accountability regarding external influence, conflicts of interest, and possible legal violations within the EU institutions.”
The European Commission has presented plans aiming to completely end Russian gas imports by 2027 at the latest. In two phases, the short-term trade of Russian gas on the spot market will be prohibited starting at the end of 2025, and the signing of new contracts will also be banned. By the end of 2027, no gas at all should be imported from Russia into the EU.
Anja Arndt expresses strong criticism of this initiative. From her perspective, it is a morally motivated but inconsistent approach, as liquefied natural gas (LNG) from countries like the USA or Qatar is still being imported. According to Arndt, this fuel is not only more expensive but also especially harmful to the environment due to the energy-intensive liquefaction process and long-distance transport. She also warns of increasing dependence on new energy suppliers and criticizes the burden on consumers due to high energy prices.
The ESN Member of the European Parliament, Anja Arndt, comments:
“The EU talks about climate protection and dependencies – while creating new dependencies on global corporations and third countries, as domestic industries are brought to their knees.
This policy harms Germany twice: economically and ecologically. The pipeline infrastructure, which was reliable, efficient, and costly, is being sacrificed for ideological reasons. Instead of rational energy policy, we get green planned economy and EU double standards. Anyone who truly wants to represent German interests and protect the environment must decisively oppose this madness”
A request has been filed to lift the parliamentary immunity of AfD Member of the European Parliament Petr Bystron. The investigations are based on allegations for which, despite 21 house searches, no credible evidence has been presented so far. The AfD delegation considers the process politically motivated and sees it as an attempt to discredit a committed European politician. On this matter, ESN Group MEP Petr Bystron himself declares:
"The planned withdrawal of my immunity is not a procedure in accordance with the rule of law, but a targeted political maneuver. The fact that 21 searches have not yielded a single substantial piece of evidence illustrates the baselessness of the accusations. We are witnessing a coordinated campaign to criminalize my peace-oriented views. While in the USA under President Trump, destabilization networks such as USAID are being uncovered and curtailed, the EU is actively participating in the persecution of opposition voices.
The public prosecutor should not investigate the victims of this campaign, but its masterminds. I stand for peace, freedom of expression, and an independent judiciary. Germany must return to democracy and the rule of law."
On April 28, 2025, an unprecedented power outage occurred across the entire Iberian Peninsula. Millions of people in Spain and Portugal were left without electricity for hours. The cause was the high proportion of solar power in the Spanish energy grid.
Markus Buchheit, Member of the European Parliament from the ESN Group, commented:
"The blackout in Spain and Portugal is a wake-up call for all of Europe. The energy transition must not come at the expense of supply security. Supply security and system stability must be top priorities. Ideological considerations must not be placed above the fundamental need for a secure power supply. From our point of view, it is therefore urgently necessary to thoroughly and promptly review grid stability and existing reserve capacities in Germany and Europe to identify potential weaknesses early and minimize the risk of widespread blackouts. Only with flexible and controllable large-scale power plants can we ensure that the power system functions reliably, even with highly fluctuating input from renewable energy sources, and that peak loads can be safely absorbed."
ESN MEP Anja Arndt added:
"The excessive expansion of wind and solar energy is directly responsible for this blackout and must be stopped immediately in our country as well. We need to return to a reliable, baseload-capable energy supply – for the safety of our citizens in Germany and the entire European Union."
The European Parliament operates 15 “Experience Europe” centres in which it promotes itself as an institution. The investment costs exceed €110 million, with a further €18 million in annual running costs. Another 14 centres are planned, meaning the total expenditure will rise sharply. These figures emerged from a parliamentary question submitted by AfD MEP Alexander Jungbluth.
The ESN-group budget spokesman commented:
“It is outrageous how the EU squanders taxpayers’ money to put itself in the spotlight. While constantly telling citizens they need to tighten their belts, the ladies and gentlemen in Brussels and Strasbourg treat themselves to luxurious self-glorification temples at taxpayers’ expense. The fact that President Metsola answered my question only after several reminders shows she fears the public’s reaction. I will continue to make sure that citizens learn about the European Parliament’s drastic waste of taxes for propaganda purposes.”
The ESN Group firmly rejected the European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP), adopted last Thursday in the Committees on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) and on Security and Defence (SEDE). The Group voted unanimously against the report, which passed with 70 votes in favour, 46 against, and 8 abstentions.
From the ESN’s perspective, the EDIP violates the principle of national sovereignty and leads to further centralisation of defence policy at EU level. The planned increase in national contributions and the obligation to conduct joint procurement — with the goal of achieving at least 40 per cent of military procurement jointly by 2030 — undermine Member States’ freedom of decision and place an additional burden of €1.5 billion on national budgets via the EU budget. While the introduction of a “Buy European” principle, requiring 70 per cent of value creation within the EU, is welcome in principle, it is not sufficient to protect the interests of individual nations.
The ESN Group also criticises the integration of Ukraine into the European defence industry as risky and politically motivated. Rather than further communitisation, the ESN Group calls for a consistent strengthening of national defence industries and a return to a policy of national responsibility.
Markus Buchheit, Member of the European Parliament for the ESN Group, stated:
“The security of Europe is the responsibility of sovereign nation-states, not the Brussels bureaucracy. The EDIP is another step towards a European army, which we firmly reject. We stand for national sovereignty, democratic oversight, and a responsible defence policy to ensure the safety of our citizens.
The ESN Group will continue to advocate for the preservation of sovereignty and the interests of Europe’s nations."
A 15-year-old student killed a 17-year-old female classmate with a hunting knife and seriously injured three other students at a Catholic high school in Nantes. A teacher reportedly managed to overpower him with a table. According to media reports, shortly before the attack, the suspected perpetrator sent a 13-page manifesto titled "Immune Action" to his classmates, in which he denounced environmental destruction, social alienation, and "totalitarian social conditioning." He called for a "biological revolt" — even at the cost of innocent lives.
Commenting on this, Anja Arndt, Member of the European Parliament from the ESN Group, stated:
"The climate hysteria, also propagated by the European Parliament, is causing more and more young people to despair. The number of depressed young people is skyrocketing. The BARMER health insurance company, together with the SINUS Institute, conducted a study to examine 'the effects of climate change' on the mental health of young people. The results show that climate anxiety is now widespread among adolescents. 36% of surveyed young people reported experiencing severe anxiety about climate change (levels 8–10 on a ten-point scale), while another 27% reported moderate anxiety (levels 6–7). Only 16% stated that they had no anxiety (levels 1–3).
It is not alleged climate fluctuations that frighten our young people, but the irresponsible reporting by the media and misleading statements by politicians. Climate policy, which often is not based on scientific facts but rather on green-left ideology and fearmongering, unsettles and burdens our citizens. It not only leads to poverty and illness but also fosters the emergence of more climate extremists in the long term. In France, this climate hysteria has now even led to a rampage with dead and injured.
No one can have an interest in seeing our young people further frightened, unsettled, or even radicalized by this green-left ideology. We, the ESN Group in the European Parliament, say: Enough with irresponsible climate policy! Enough with the Green Deal!"
AfD Member of the European Parliament Petr Bystron visited imprisoned British activist Tommy Robinson yesterday at Woodhill Prison. Robinson has repeatedly faced repression due to his documentaries critical of Islam.
"Tommy Robinson is a political prisoner. He was convicted for distributing his video 'Silencer', even though several witnesses confirmed the truthfulness of the video in court. Robinson was imprisoned because he refused to withdraw the video. That is true civil courage! Despite this unjust treatment and the grueling conditions of solitary confinement, Robinson remains steadfast and intends to continue his fight for freedom of speech even after his release.
In doing so, he is also fighting for us, because the growing restrictions on freedom of speech across Europe have reached alarming levels. Just like in the UK, opposition figures and government-critical journalists are being suppressed and persecuted in the EU as well — the imprisonment of the blogger Shlomo and the suspended seven-month prison sentence for the editor-in-chief of Deutschland Kurier, David Bendels, for a satirical post, are just the latest examples from Germany.
In the European Parliament, we are fighting to ensure that voices like Tommy Robinson's are heard. We will not forget these individuals and will continue to advocate for the defense of freedom of speech and the depoliticization of the judiciary."
The European Commission is planning to introduce an annual mandatory inspection for all cars older than ten years. The aim of this measure is to improve road safety. However, the proposal still needs to be approved by the European Parliament and the EU member states before it can come into effect. Regarding this, ESN MEP Siegbert Droese stated:
"This proposal is yet another attack on the freedom and prosperity of our citizens. Instead of providing relief, it imposes an additional financial burden. Those who cannot afford a new car will be the ones punished by this measure.
It is unacceptable that the European Commission continues to harass citizens with ever more regulations and restrict individual mobility. Existing regulations are sufficient — this is a blatant attempt to push a green agenda under the guise of road safety and to further restrict individual mobility.
We call on the EU institutions to immediately withdraw this proposal, and we will vote against this senseless initiative in Parliament."
According to a response to a parliamentary question by MEP Alexander Jungbluth, the EU refuses to repatriate Syrian refugees to their home country.
Commenting on this, Alexander Jungbluth, Member of the European Parliament for the ESN Group, states:
“It took the EU Commission a full four months to respond to my inquiry. And the answer is sobering! Despite the regime change in Syria and the disappearance of the original grounds for fleeing the Assad government, the EU is not planning any repatriations.
For the EU, it apparently makes no difference whether an asylum seeker still has valid grounds for protection or not. The asylum system continues to serve only one purpose: to flood the EU with largely unqualified and culturally alien migrants. Once again, this response shows that the EU has no real interest in ending mass migration in the interest of its own citizens.”
The EU Commission plans to ease key elements of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and promises to reduce bureaucracy for European farmers. What may seem like a course correction at first glance is, in reality, an admission of political failure.
Arno Bausemer, Member of the European Parliament for the ESN Group and member of the Agriculture Committee, explains:
“For years, the Commission has systematically destroyed European agriculture through overregulation. Countless farmers have had to give up their farms – not due to a lack of performance, but because of an ideologically driven agricultural policy from Brussels. Now, the Commission is being tripped up by its own policies. The fact that measures such as GAEC standards are now to be watered down shows just how misguided the previous course was.
Despite the planned relief measures, the Commission’s overall direction remains questionable. Even the Directorate-General itself warns of the loss of oversight capabilities, and ideologically motivated climate regulations continue to play a central role in the agricultural sector.
Questionable steps such as the proposed tariffs on fertilizer imports from Russia further demonstrate that the EU Commission is not genuinely concerned with safeguarding European agriculture. Our farmers depend on this affordable fertilizer to maintain their competitiveness and must no longer be used as pawns in senseless political proxy wars.
Tinkering with a few minor adjustments is not enough when the ideological foundation remains intact. As long as climate ideology takes precedence over practical solutions, nothing will fundamentally change for Europe’s farmers.”
The EU has approved an aid package worth 1.6 billion euros for the Palestinian Authority. The funds are intended to support reforms, reconstruction, and administrative structures in the region, particularly in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The EU emphasizes that the money is tied to a willingness to reform — but no concrete conditions have been specified. Commenting on this, Alexander Jungbluth, MEP from the ESN group, states:
“Widespread corruption, barely functioning administration, and areas partly controlled by the radical Islamist Hamas — that’s where the EU wants to send 1.6 billion euros of European taxpayer money.
How the money will actually be used is almost impossible to monitor or even track transparently. While the EU talks about necessary reforms, it remains vague beyond that. As a general rule, aid to foreign countries should always be tied to the concept of remigration — in this case, the return of criminal and deportable Palestinians from Europe. That would actually be of help to Europe!”
The European Commission has launched a four-week public consultation to update its “Nuclear Illustrative Programme” (PNIC). The goal is to present a revised strategic document in the second quarter, outlining future investment needs in the European nuclear sector. The focus includes the construction of new reactors, lifetime extensions for existing plants, the management of radioactive waste, and the development of new technologies such as Small Modular Reactors and nuclear fusion. The backdrop to this initiative is the renewed interest in nuclear power among many EU member states.
Markus Buchheit, Member of the European Parliament from the ESN Group, comments:
“Even the European Commission – usually responsible for climate-ideological experiments like the Green Deal – is now backing the expansion of nuclear energy. Meanwhile, Germany continues on its isolated and ideologically driven path of phasing out nuclear power. This is not only disconnected from reality – it is extremely dangerous for our economic competitiveness.
The EU rightly recognizes that nuclear energy is an indispensable pillar for affordable, stable, and low-carbon electricity supply. New reactors, new technologies, more research, and targeted investments: other European countries are preparing for the future. And Germany? It is the only industrialized nation to completely shut down its functioning nuclear power plants – despite skyrocketing electricity prices, growing dependence on energy imports, and clear risks to energy security and the economy.
This ideological refusal to face reality harms not only the German people but also massively undermines our economic competitiveness. It is high time that Berlin wakes up: without nuclear energy, there can be no secure, independent, or future-proof energy supply – neither in Germany nor anywhere else.
We call on the German government to stop denying reality, reverse the nuclear phase-out, and finally act in a technologically open and responsible manner.”
The case of the rejected Eritrean asylum seeker Kahlid O., currently the subject of media attention, once again raises questions about German asylum policy. Despite entering via safe third countries and having his asylum application rejected, he committed several criminal offenses. After serving a prison sentence and receiving release payments, he reoffended. Deportation is currently considered unlikely, as Eritrea refuses to provide identification. The man is now receiving psychiatric treatment at the state's expense and remains in Germany. Regarding this, ESN parliamentary group MEP Mary Khan states:
“Countries like Eritrea have received millions of euros in aid payments from the European Union for years, yet refuse to take back their rejected nationals once their asylum claims are denied.
Germany must immediately part ways with the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act! Asylum seekers should no longer receive monetary benefits but should instead only receive in-kind benefits for the duration of their procedures.
As long as the federal government is not willing to act, benefits for rejected asylum seekers must be suspended, foreign remittances to their countries of origin must be immediately banned, and pressure on countries of origin must be increased by suspending aid payments.
Countries like Eritrea that actively prevent the return of rejected asylum seekers must no longer be rewarded for their behavior.”
According to plans by the EU’s chief diplomat Kaja Kallas, €40 billion are to be allocated for the continued armament of Ukrainian armed forces. Her proposal includes joint financing based on a distribution key that takes into account the gross national income of each EU member state. Following the latest Russian attacks, the proposal is once again gaining attention among several member states.
MEP Petr Bystron of the ESN group commented:
“The EU wants to finance the Ukrainian war machinery with another €40 billion – and Germany is supposed to pay for it. Under Ms. Kallas's distribution key, Germany would bear the lion’s share, meaning German taxpayers would be disproportionately burdened. We reject that. Instead of Germany supplying money for ammunition and prolonging the dying, we as the AfD delegation are calling for a diplomatic solution. Not a single additional euro of German taxpayer money should go to Ukraine!
This is all the more true now that the United States under President Trump is advocating for a negotiated solution to the conflict. It is disturbing that the EU so stubbornly refuses to recognize the signs of the times and contribute to a diplomatic resolution of the conflict.”
The European Court of Auditors criticizes the lack of transparency in the allocation of EU funding to non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Between 2021 and 2023, NGOs received around 7.4 billion euros, with 4.8 billion euros coming directly from the EU Commission. The report points out that there is no clear overview of how these funds are used, especially regarding lobbying activities and adherence to EU values by the NGOs. Additionally, there is no consistent definition of NGOs, further hindering transparency.
EU Member of Parliament Mary Khan of the ESN Group states:
"What has been uncovered here is a scandal: Left-wing networks are being funded with billions to push the ideological goals of the EU Commission and national governments – far from any democratic accountability.
The allocation of these funds is happening without any transparency and in the billions. The EU Commission repeatedly positions itself as a moral compass while harshly criticizing states that oppose it. However, the reality is quite the opposite. The EU Commission operates far from any democratic rules, as the latest report from the European Court of Auditors reveals.
As part of the ESN Group, we have made it our mission to expose this swamp. Whether this new scandal is just the tip of the iceberg remains to be seen. We will certainly continue to dig deeper."
The response from the European Commission to a written question by ESN Member of the European Parliament Mary Khan is sobering. Mary Khan wanted to know the financial burden in the areas of healthcare, housing, education, security, and social welfare. Instead of answers, she received vague phrases and ignorance. Mary Khan comments:
“‘We don’t know – and we don’t want to know.’ These words sum up the response of the European Commission and Commissioner Magnus Brunner briefly and clearly.”
Apparently, Brussels fears the political explosive power of honest figures. Every year, hundreds of thousands of illegal migrants enter the EU – yet no one wants to know what this costs. Those who don’t count, don’t have to take responsibility. And those who don’t measure, can gloss over everything. The refusal to provide any transparency is a slap in the face to European taxpayers.
I therefore call for an independent, country-specific, and transparent cost analysis of illegal migration. Anyone who wants to talk about migration must also talk about its consequences – honestly, based on data, and without ideological filters. Anything else is political window dressing at the expense of the citizens.
The ESN Group has submitted a motion for a European Parliament resolution calling for a strong and united response to what it sees as Germany’s departure from financial stability. The initiative highlights concerns over Germany’s use of “Sondervermögen” (special funds) and its potential impact on EU fiscal rules and overall economic stability.
Alexander Jungbluth, Member of the European Parliament for the ESN Group and member of the BUDG Committee, stated:
“The debt binge we are currently witnessing in Germany endangers not only the country’s own stability but also that of the entire European financial system. That’s why, together with the European Parliament, we are calling on the Commission to take action to ensure that the Federal Republic of Germany complies with existing EU law and stops violating the Maastricht criteria.
If the European Parliament wants to maintain its credibility when it comes to upholding European rules and laws, our resolution must be taken seriously and negotiated across party lines. There can only be one conclusion: under the leadership of Friedrich Merz, the German government is not only jeopardizing the future of its own citizens and generations to come, but also playing with the financial and economic security of the entire Eurozone.”
Siegbert Droese (ESN/AfD), Member of the European Parliament, strongly criticises the proposed EU directive on driving licence reform as well as the directive on licence withdrawal, calling them bureaucratic and patronising. As shadow rapporteur for both proposals, he took part in the negotiations and warns of the consequences for citizens and Member States – despite the ESN Group’s efforts in both trilogues to tone down the drafts:
“Under the guise of road safety, the EU aimed to push through far-reaching interference in national traffic policy. However, many of the directive’s absurd proposals – such as mandatory medical checks for seniors only, age-based speed limits, or bans on SUVs and night driving for novice drivers – were successfully blocked in negotiations thanks to the centre-right majority.
In the talks on the licence withdrawal directive, we also managed to remove the originally planned EU-wide points system. This proves that resistance to excessive EU regulation can be successful.
Still, the proposed rules remain deeply problematic, representing yet another disproportionate infringement on national sovereignty – at the expense of citizens and with no real benefit to road safety.
What we need is pragmatic transport policy that ensures safety with common sense – not more red tape and top-down control from Brussels.”
A new report reveals how the European Commission is indirectly shaping public opinion through the funding of non-governmental organisations (NGOs). According to the investigation, this has led to the creation of a dense network that promotes political narratives aligned with the EU – all without public transparency. These revelations raise serious questions about the political neutrality and democratic legitimacy of this practice.
Mary Khan, Member of the European Parliament for the ESN Group, stated:
“What the EU calls ‘value promotion’ is nothing more than a massive propaganda machine, funded with millions in taxpayer money, designed to manipulate public opinion. Whether in Georgia, Bulgaria, or Romania – we see the destructive influence of the European Union everywhere: the division into ‘good’ and ‘bad’, and targeted interference in elections and political processes.
The recent revelations about the EU Commission’s covert funding of NGOs confirm what the AfD has been warning about for years: taxpayer money is being used to support organisations that spread government-aligned narratives and suppress critical voices. This network undermines democratic plurality of opinion and serves as an indirect propaganda tool of Brussels.
As AfD and ESN, we demand full transparency regarding financial flows and an end to political influence by so-called independent actors. The new U.S. administration is setting an example by dismantling similar projects on its own soil.”
The European Commission has presented its Defence White Paper alongside the €800 billion rearmament programme Rearm Europe. A central element of this strategy is the mobilisation of private savings through the so-called Savings and Investment Union (SIU) to boost investments in the defence industry. The aim is to strengthen Europe’s defence capabilities and continue support for Ukraine.
Alexander Jungbluth, Member of the European Parliament for the ESN Group, commented:
“First, the German EU Commission President von der Leyen calls for billions in European rearmament without any mandate – and now she wants to get her hands on the savings of European citizens. For years, our money has already been handed out in the form of tax contributions to Ukraine without any oversight or transparency.
But these latest demands mark a new peak: The EU not only seeks to further limit national sovereignty but now wants to redirect individual citizens’ savings into investments for the war economy.
With this, the European Commission is increasingly and openly beating the drum for a ‘total war’ in Ukraine.
As the AfD delegation, we stand for the exact opposite of this EU – for peace, the preservation of cash, national sovereignty, and the right of savers to use their money as they see fit. Not a single cent more must go to Ukraine!”
Once again, the European Parliament is hit by a corruption scandal. Dozens of private residences have been searched across several member states, offices within the European Parliament have been sealed and investigated, and MEPs and their assistants are implicated. Our MEP, Mary Khan, a member of the JURI Committee, stated:
"For the ESN Group, this comes as no surprise. Corruption is not an 'incident'; it is a core element of how the European Parliament operates.
The root of the problem lies in the EP-Bureau, where decisions are made—without any public transparency—regarding the European Parliament's staggering annual budget of 2 billion euros. Elected MEPs from ESN and Patriots have been deliberately excluded from this process.
Millions are wasted on shady real estate projects worldwide, including the purchase and rental of excessively expensive and unnecessary properties in Paris, London, and Washington, with recently planned acquisitions even in Kyiv and Moldova."
The lifting of immunity for the MEPs implicated in this latest corruption scandal will be handled by the JURI Committee. Recently, left-wing MEPs used procedural tricks to delay the removal of immunity for Italian communist MEP Ilaria Salis, who is being prosecuted in Hungary for Antifa-related terrorist attacks. Mary Khan has already warned against similar procedural maneuvers:
"We will not tolerate any further attempts by MEPs in JURI to delay the lifting of immunity for those involved in this corruption scandal. Their immunity must be revoked immediately, without delay, so that justice can take its proper course."
The Romanian presidential candidate Călin Georgescu is no longer allowed to run in the Romanian elections. This decision was made by the central electoral office in Bucharest. Georgescu had unexpectedly won the first round of the presidential elections in November 2024. Shortly before the runoff election, the Constitutional Court annulled the first round.
AfD Member of the European Parliament Petr Bystron commented:
"The EU country Romania is swiftly abolishing democracy and is receiving support from Brussels. The annulment of the first election alone is a blatant scandal and a disgrace for the country. In the new elections, Georgescu would have likely won even more decisively – which is why they are now trying to prevent him from running altogether.
Additionally, there is an effort to damage Georgescu by all means: absurd accusations from the press and the judiciary, arrests, and the undermining of free elections.
What is happening in Romania is a disgrace for the EU – which is not only watching with a smile but also actively pulling the strings in the background. The EU is revealing its true face: While violent demonstrators are being supported against the legitimately elected government in Georgia, an attempted coup is underway in Romania.
The final decision of the Constitutional Court is still pending on Wednesday – a court that already annulled the first election on flimsy grounds. The AfD delegation strongly condemns the developments in Romania. Our political vision is a free and sovereign Europe of nations, in which the will of the people is respected."
The German EU MP of the ESN faction, Markus Buchheit (AfD), responds to EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s proposal to postpone the tightening of CO₂ fleet limits:
"The increasingly rigid fleet limits for car manufacturers are making the production of internal combustion engine vehicles ever more unprofitable. This is equivalent to a de facto ban on combustion engines. To keep our automotive industry internationally competitive, we do not just need a postponement of the tightening of fleet limits, but an end to them altogether."
Buchheit sees the fleet limits and the ban on new registrations of internal combustion engine vehicles in the EU from 2035 as primarily an ideologically driven attack on individual mobility – to the detriment of citizens' prosperity and freedom.
"The European automotive industry is falling further and further behind manufacturers, particularly from China. The main reason for this is, among other things, the absurd political coercion and the ever-increasing politically induced disadvantages of location. However, European prosperity depends significantly on the performance of the European automotive industry. With these overreaching regulations, the EU is ultimately sawing off the very branch it is sitting on," Buchheit concludes.
At a government summit in London, Ursula von der Leyen called for a "massive armament" of Ukraine. To achieve this, the EU must increase defense investments over an extended period. This means that further billions will flow into Ukraine’s war preparations.
In response, Alexander Sell, MP of the ESN faction, stated:
"This EU still has not understood the signs of the times. In Europe, citizens long for peace and stability. Von der Leyen's warlike stance is completely detached from the interests of the people in Ukraine and Europe.
While the United States is engaging in dialogue with Russia and has taken a seat at the negotiating table, the EU Commission—especially under the leadership of German Commission President Ursula von der Leyen—is calling for a continuation of the bloodshed in the East.
This war must finally come to an end. It is unacceptable that this conflict is being prolonged with multi-billion aid packages at the expense of European taxpayers, while the people on the ground continue to be used as pawns in the game of international powers.
Since its founding, the ESN faction has been advocating for peace in Europe and an end to the senseless bloodshed in Ukraine. Diplomatic relations must remain possible in all directions, even in times of crisis. Closing one’s eyes to reality and hoping for Ukraine’s victory is not only dangerous but is playing with fire, risking a Third World War."
Brussels/Bucharest, February 26, 2025 – Romanian election winner Călin Georgescu has been arrested, and his election annulled. Under the flimsy pretext of "Russian influence," the EU and Romanian authorities have launched an unprecedented political persecution. Supporters are being intimidated, homes searched, and lawyers prevented from doing their jobs. A fair trial is unthinkable under such conditions.
"The EU has lost all credibility. It is sliding further and further into authoritarianism. Now the Eurocrats are showing their true face: elections are annulled, opposition figures imprisoned – democracy is being trampled on!" criticizes Petr Bystron.
Bystron demands the immediate release of Călin Georgescu and an end to political repression. "The EU must return to democracy. Those who abolish fundamental rights and free elections do not stand for European values but for dictatorship."
LIBE-committee with ESN Group votes down the left-wing political ‘guidelines’ for the 2026 EU-budget
The members of the European Parliament's Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) met on Tuesday February 18 in Brussels.
The members of the Committee were due to vote on a report, drafted by Andrzej Halicki (PPE, Poland), giving the political guidelines to the European Commission for the spending of the huge 2026 EU-budget.
These guidelines are usually approved by the majority, and disapproved by the opposition. However, in a remarkable outcome, the draft report only got 25 votes in favour, with a clear 37 against and 5 abstentions.
With this vote, the so-called ‘old majority’ in the European Parliament lies in shatters.
The ESN MEPs opposed this draft report for several reasons:
• The report calls for continued ‘direct funding to civil society organisations’, while NGOs receive €1.7 billion in European funding every year, and this funding has led to massive corruption scandals;
• The report wants to increase the Union’s support ‘to counter hate speech’, while Europe needs more freedom of speech;
• The report asked to ‘fight the spread of disinformation at a large scale and develop more effective countermeasures’, while this is a pretext for unacceptable censorship against dissident voices and opinions.
The votes of the ESN Group, represented by MEPs Ewa ZAJACZKOWSKA (Konfederacja, Poland), Mary KHAN (AfD, Germany) and Petar VOLGIN (Revival party, Bulgaria) were again crucial in making this strong signal for freedom of speech and a clear stance against mass immigration.
Washington,
February 24, 2025
CPAC 2025 - An ESN delegation visited the Conservative Congress in Washington
Every year since 1974, the Americans have organised a major gathering of conservatives from all over the world. Once again this year, a large number of prominent figures attended the event, in the context of the recent election of Donald Trump. The ESN Group in the European Parliament naturally attended the event and sent a delegation.
Members of the European Parliament from the ESN group were able to listen to President Donald Trump and other high-level speakers. The convention showed that the members of the ESN group share many of the same values as conservatives and patriots from around the world:
People's freedom. A wind of freedom is blowing through Western democracies and the ESN Group fully shares this democratic aspiration. They support messages addressed to the convention by Elon Musk and US Vice-President JD Vance. Both underlined the dangers to freedom of expression in European democracies, which was welcomed by the ESN Group.
The sovereignty of nations. The values of independence, autonomy and sovereignty of nations were also widely reiterated at CPAC. Nigel Farage called on the various nations to remain free and sovereign.
The need to install capable and effective governments. The MEPs of the ESN Group were also able to appreciate the examples set by the President of Argentina, Javier Milei, and the Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, who have succeeded, in their respective countries, in obtaining rapid results that have been acclaimed by their populations.
The will to secure the borders. Finally, the ESN delegation at CPAC listened attentively to new Border Czar of the American administration, Mr Tom Homan, who has achieved spectacular results in 4 weeks, with a 95% drop in illegal entries into the United States.
The MEPs of the ESN Group in the European Parliament came back from this event strengthened in their fight to serve their sovereign nations.
The EU secretly funneled €132.82 million to media outlets across Europe to influence the 2024 European elections, as revealed by Il Fatto Quotidiano on February 11, 2025!
Top officials Ursula von der Leyen and Roberta Metsola, with support from the EU Council, used a framework contract with Havas Media France (Vivendi Group) to distribute funds while keeping recipients and amounts hidden. No transparency, no accountability – just taxpayer money buying EU-friendly news coverage!
Major media like Rai, Mediaset, Sky, Corriere della Sera, and Repubblica were PAID for favorable articles about Brussels. Is this journalism or propaganda?
EU institutions don’t sell products, so why hire an ad agency if not to manipulate the narrative? Democracy demands transparency, not hidden payments to the press!
ESN will demand in the European Parliament full disclosure of all media that benefited from this, and a full investigation to this unprecedented illegal manipulation of the European elections by the EU itself.
This blatant manipulation of public opinion using public funds is a disgrace. Full story by Il Fatto Quotidiano: https://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/.../ben-130.../7872331/..”
The process to revoke the immunity of Italian MEP Ilaria Salis has begun. Today, the left-wing MEP must justify herself before the JURI Committee of the European Parliament regarding violent attacks in Hungary. The resulting report will determine the next steps in the procedure. Salis, elected for the Alleanza Verdi e Sinistra after a lengthy detention in Hungary, is accused of severe hammer attacks on civilians in Hungary.
Mary Khan, MEP of the ESN Group, stated:
“At the time, the video of the hammer attacks on Hungarian civilians shocked all of Europe. We are witnessing a worrying escalation of left-wing violence in many countries. It is even more outrageous when left-wing parties undermine the rule of law by abusing parliamentary immunity to set offenders free. Viktor Orbán is right to demand the revocation of Ilaria Salis' immunity – we support this demand.
Only through decisive action can we prevent political interests from undermining the rule of law and endangering the safety and freedom of our society. Ilaria Salis belongs in prison, not in Parliament.”
Brussels – AfD Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Petr Bystron is calling for an immediate investigation into the activities of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in the European Union. The background to this demand is allegations that USAID sought to influence the 2024 European elections through disinformation campaigns in several EU countries. These allegations are based on revelations by Elon Musk and Donald Trump regarding illegal practices within USAID.
"Trump has done fantastic groundwork; now we must also quickly and comprehensively uncover illegal election interference by foreign states in Europe," said Bystron. He stated that there is a strong suspicion that foreign influence has massively manipulated the composition of the EU Parliament. "The EU must relentlessly combat all forms of hybrid warfare, foreign propaganda, and disinformation."
Bystron criticized the fact that USAID-funded media had deliberately targeted opposition forces. "Our democracy must be protected from foreign influences," said the AfD politician. He argued that it is the responsibility of European institutions to investigate these manipulations and ensure the security of future elections.
The U.S. Agency for International Development is currently facing criticism for allegedly using intelligence funds to influence elections and carry out regime changes worldwide. U.S. President Donald Trump has therefore drastically cut USAID’s budget and placed all employees on leave as of February 7.
Last Wednesday, the ESN Group awarded Tamara Lich with the "Women Fighting for Freedom" prize. Tamara Lich is a Canadian political activist and one of the main organizers of the so-called "Freedom Convoy" in 2022. This protest began as a movement by truck drivers against COVID-19 vaccination mandates and expanded into a broader protest against government measures and restrictions. The AfD Member of the European Parliament in the ESN Group, Christine Anderson, commented:
"It was a great honor for our Group to welcome Mrs. Lich as a guest in Strasbourg and later award her. Tamara Lich embodies the fight against an overbearing state and for the freedom of its citizens like no one else. Even after facing the harshest sanctions from the Canadian government and being arrested during the protests in Ottawa, Tamara Lich did not let herself be intimidated. 'They picked the wrong woman,' says Tamara Lich herself, defiantly. Her courage and commitment are an inspiration to us all."
Carola Rackete loses court case against AfD-Delegation
Carola Rackete, the german Left Party’s top candidate for the European elections, has lost a legal battle against the AfD delegation in the European Parliament at the Berlin Regional Court. Rackete had sued the delegation, seeking to prevent being referred to as a “smuggler.” However, the former captain of the "Sea-Watch" has now lost in court, which ruled that "a certain factual connection" to the term cannot be denied. Markus Buchheit, a Member of the European Parliament from the AfD delegation, commented: "What the AfD has repeatedly emphasized and made public is now legally confirmed. Carola Rackete may be referred to as a smuggler. The activities of so-called sea rescuers cannot be described otherwise. Those who lure refugees into the Mediterranean off the North African coast and then bring them to Europe like a prearranged shuttle service are smugglers! We will do everything in our power to put an end to this criminal activity!"
On migration, the Europe of Sovereign Nations (ESN) group stands for a strict and restrictive migration policy. ESN opposes the centralisation of migration policy by the European Union and believes that responsibility for migration and border management should lie entirely with individual member states. ESN opposes the European redistribution mechanism for refugees and migrants as we believe it undermines the sovereignty of countries and forces us to take in migrants against our will.
ESN sees large-scale migration as a risk to national security, culture and social cohesion and calls for strict border controls and effective protection of Europe's external borders. Furthermore, the group stresses the importance of return policies, whereby migrants without the right of residence are swiftly sent back to their countries of origin. ESN also strongly opposes legal migration programmes at European level and believes that each member state should be able to decide for itself who can or cannot enter its borders.
Against the backdrop of the South African President’s visit with Donald Trump, Member of the European Parliament Siegbert Frank Droese views with concern the European Commission’s decision earlier this year to back South Africa with an investment package worth €4.7 billion despite glaring breaches of the rule of law. In a written question, Droese demanded a clear position from the Commission on the South African Expropriation Act, signed in January 2025, which empowers the state to seize land without compensation. The Commission’s reply, now available, remains vague. Siegbert Droese, MEP of the ESN Group, states:
“While the Commission stresses it will ‘monitor developments’, the situation on the ground has been escalating for years, and white farmers are the target of a brutal wave of violence – including routine torture, rape and murder. International human-rights organizations warn of systematic action against the white minority, yet the South African government plays it down or stays silent. Just like the red-green public in Germany and the EU, which apparently looks the other way when faced with anti-white racism.
It is a scandal: white farmers are being murdered, expropriated and deprived of their rights – and Brussels rewards this conduct with billions!
Given these conditions, many victims have already sought refuge in the United States – with the backing of U.S. President Donald Trump, who recently even hosted the South African President. Trump openly confronted him with a video documenting the violent persecution of the white minority. Meanwhile, the left-wing press mocks these people, referring to them as ‘refugees’ in quotation marks – and the EU remains silent.
Particularly revolting: the supposedly human-rights-minded EU finds no words for the crimes in South Africa. Instead, it throws taxpayers’ billions at a corrupt regime!
As long as property rights are abolished in South Africa, racist violence is down-played and tolerated, and a minority is systematically persecuted, not a single cent from Brussels should flow there. The EU makes itself complicit when it bankrolls a corrupt regime of injustice that is forcing a genocide in its own country. There must be an immediate halt to all EU investments in South Africa and an open condemnation of the Expropriation Act and the violence against white South Africans!”
Today, the European Parliament rejected an amendment tabled by ESN Group that simply reaffirmed its commitment to full transparency following the EU General Court’s recent ruling on Pfizergate.
The Court ruled on 14 May 2025 that the European Commission was wrong to withhold text messages between its President and the CEO of Pfizer—messages exchanged during vaccine procurement talks. The judgment confirmed that such messages fall under EU transparency rules and must be made public. In response, we proposed that Parliament “reiterates its full commitment to complete transparency on this matter.”
Yet, astonishingly, a majority—including nearly all Members of S&D, the Greens, and the Left, notably Daniel Freund and Martin Schirdewan—voted against this basic statement of principle.
Christine Anderson, author of the amendment and Chief Whip of the ESN Group, stated:
“Our amendment was neither controversial nor partisan. Yet, the left and green side of the House votes against it. This is a stunning display of hypocrisy. These very same MEPs publicly applauded the Court’s ruling but refused to support a basic commitment to openness when it counted. Transparency must not be a slogan—it must be a principle. We will not let this matter be swept under the rug, nor will we allow Ursula von der Leyen to escape accountability.”
The European Parliament's LIBE Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs has approved a report on the state of the rule of law in the EU in 2024.
In a highly political report, the committee approved more censorship of social networks, more funding for left-wing NGOs and condemnation of Hungary.
In a surprising vote, it was even approved that Member States that have not yet done so should introduce legal recognition of same-sex partnerships.
It could only be voted through with a left-wing majority supported by EPP votes. The ESN Group regrets that EPP members gave in to the injunctions of the left.
Legal recognition of same-sex partnerships was approved by EPP-MEPs Monika Hohlmeier (Germany), Verena Mertens (Germany), Oliver Schenk (Germany), Ioan-Rareş Bogdan (Romania), Paulo Cunha (Portugal), Rasa Juknevičienė (Lithuania), Jeroen Lenaers (The Netherlands), Jüri Ratas (Estonia), Tomas Tobé (Sweden), Maria Walsh (Ireland), Javier Zarzalejos (Spain) and Tomáš Zdechovský (Czechia).
ESN will continue to defend genuinely right-wing positions, such as the sovereignty of Member States to decide for themselves on this topic.
Milan UHRIK, MEP,
ESN coordinator in the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs
The European Commission has significantly downgraded its growth forecast for the eurozone – to 0.9% for 2025 and 1.4% for 2026. One of the main reasons is the economic weakness in Germany. ESN MEP Rada Laykova commented:
"The EU has already been in economic stagnation for about a decade. Even those 1% growths reported are mostly just the result of statistical tricks. The European Commission is quick to point fingers at the USA or Russia, but the problems in Europe are homemade. The current drastic cut in the EU’s growth forecast is yet another sign of the failure of Brussels’ current policies. Instead of strengthening the competitiveness of European companies, the Commission has pursued an ideologically driven agenda of economic self-sabotage in recent years – from excessive bureaucracy to costly climate regulations that particularly hurt our industry. Does the EU learn? No. The Draghi report only just admitted what the so-called 'EU critics' have been saying for a decade: the EU, with its doctrine of ever more planned economy, monetary distortion and regulation, is undermining Europe’s competitiveness. However, the Draghi report just admits the problem after it had become impossible to hide the economic stagnation anymore, but then demands that allegedly only 'more EU' is the solution to something which was caused by already 'too much EU'. A common trick of the EU: create a problem yourself and then spin its causality for even more control and more money for the EU.
What is especially worrying is the economic stagnation in Germany, the backbone of Europe’s economy. High energy prices – caused by the self-imposed disconnection from reliable energy sources – and a massive investment backlog are problems of the EU’s own making. An industrial economy cannot exist without cheap and reliable energy. Germany no longer has either. The Commission bears responsibility because it constantly interferes too much in national economic policies or energy imports instead of enabling independent solutions.
In light of the economic situation, the ESN Group calls for an immediate moratorium on all new EU regulations that further burden businesses, as well as a fundamental reorientation of energy policy toward affordable and secure supply for citizens and industry. In addition, we need to access some of our own sources for certain resources, especially since the EU seems to intentionally head into economic and geopolitical isolation when you read some of its newest reports. The 'intentionally' is, of course, not admitted, but can be observed. Furthermore, a return to sound fiscal policy and responsible use of EU funds is urgently needed. The EU, though, is heading for the exact opposite.”
Following significant international pressure, the British judiciary has reversed its decision: British activist Tommy Robinson is being released roughly two months before the end of his original prison sentence. His imprisonment was controversial from the start and drew criticism from around the world. Member of the European Parliament Petr Bystron is considered one of his strongest supporters. During Robinson's incarceration, Bystron visited him in England and kept the public informed about his case.
MEP Petr Bystron, a member of the ESN Group, commented:
"Tommy is not an isolated case. In the heart of Europe, people are being intimidated, censored, and criminalized for exposing wrongdoing.
I will continue to stand up for all these courageous individuals who fight for freedom of speech and justice.
I am pleased that Tommy is pressing on and already planning new initiatives. His courage inspires many.
We will never allow the truth to be suppressed—neither by court orders nor by prison walls."
Representatives of the European Parliament and the governments of the member states agreed yesterday on a phased introduction of the so-called Entry/Exit System (EES). While the European Commission and mainstream media are hailing this as a success, AfD MEP Mary Khan sees it as a disturbing revelation of the disastrous state of the EU’s external borders, which have suffered from grossly inadequate control for years:
“For several years now, the Commission has been announcing the introduction of the Entry/Exit System (EES) as a tool to improve identity verification at the EU’s external borders. The collection of biometric data and the digital registration of all entries and exits by third-country nationals is long overdue in order to ensure effective border controls, prevent multiple identities, and combat illegal migration more effectively.
But instead of taking decisive action, the Commission has repeatedly postponed the system’s implementation for years—most recently in December 2024, shifting the responsibility onto the member states, even though the original launch had been planned for 2020.
In the meantime, millions of migrants have entered illegally without their identities being thoroughly checked or registered. This has created a massive security gap that the EU has allowed to grow over the years—at the expense not only of the European population but also of our security, our values, and our future.
The catastrophic consequences of these delays reveal both an organizational failure—highlighted by the awarding of the contract to IT company Atos, formerly led by Commissioner Thierry Breton and only moderately successful in execution—and a lack of political will to address the issue of illegal mass migration.”
In a preliminary assessment, the European Commission has accused the platform TikTok of violating European digital regulations. For ESN Member of the European Parliament Mary Khan, one thing is clear: this is not a technocratic concern — it is a targeted attack on digital freedom of expression in Europe. The MEP explained:
“While U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance used the Munich Security Conference to emphatically highlight the limits of illiberal control fantasies to the EU elites, von der Leyen and her allies continue undeterred on their path of acting as a moral censorship authority. Now TikTok is under fire — a platform that many young people value precisely because of its unfiltered content, seeing it as a space for free expression.
The real reason: because parties like the AfD — and many other patriotic movements across Europe — are able to reach millions on TikTok, the Brussels power cartel sees the platform as a thorn in its side. This is no longer about data protection or regulation — it is about total control over information and opinion. Those who think critically are to be silenced.
Free speech is the Achilles’ heel of any liberal order, and today it is being attacked by Brussels under flimsy pretexts. We stand firmly and unconditionally for digital freedom of expression. The European Commission must immediately end its ideologically driven course of censorship.”
The European Court of Justice has reprimanded the EU Commission over the disappearance of text messages between Ursula von der Leyen and Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla regarding the multi-billion euro vaccine deals.
Christine Anderson, Member of the ESN Group, commented as follows:
“Today’s ruling by the EU General Court is a political earthquake in the affair surrounding the secret COVID-19 vaccine contracts. The European Commission violated the right to transparency by refusing access to text messages exchanged between Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and the CEO of Pfizer. The court has now made it clear: the deletion of these messages was unlawful.
This deliberate disregard for legal and transparency obligations cannot go unpunished. Von der Leyen’s personal misconduct is emblematic of a broader institutional failure within the Commission. Both von der Leyen and the Commission must be held accountable. A parliamentary committee of inquiry must now be established – with real powers, including the authority to compel von der Leyen to testify under oath. Only such a process can ensure genuine and comprehensive accountability.
As early as 2023, the European Parliament’s COVID Committee sought to question the Commission President – but she refused to appear. That cannot and must not be the end of the matter.
Those who hold positions of responsibility must not be allowed to evade scrutiny. The EU must now prove that it has learned from this scandal – or it risks permanently losing the trust of its citizens.”
The ESN Group in the European Parliament warmly congratulates Pope Leo XIV on his election and extends its heartfelt wishes for a pontificate marked by blessing and strength. As the spiritual leader of more than one billion Catholics, he assumes a responsibility of historic and global significance.
The co-president of the ESN Group, René Aust, explains:
„Especially in times of societal disorientation, the voice of the Church can serve as a vital compass and anchor.
May Pope Leo XIV, with wisdom, courage, and the help of God, strengthen the bond between faith, truth, and freedom in Europe.
May God protect Pope Leo XIV.“
On May 8, 2025, the European Parliament voted with 371 in favor, 162 against, and 37 abstentions to downgrade the protection status of the wolf across the EU from “strictly protected” to “protected.” This change gives member states greater flexibility to remove problematic animals, provided that the species maintains a favorable conservation status. Support came primarily from agricultural sectors and conservative MEPs, while Greens, WWF, and other animal protection organizations warned of a setback for species conservation. After formal approval by the Council of Ministers, member states will have 18 months to transpose the change into national law.
Commenting on this, Anja Arndt, MEP of the ESN Group, stated:
“With this decision, Parliament is finally addressing the real challenges faced in our rural regions. We are giving member states a flexible tool to take the legitimate concerns of livestock farmers seriously, without demonizing the wolf across the board. The downgrading of the protection status is a welcome step, especially for farming operations and alpine pastoralism. At last, a path is being cleared to protect grazing animals, family-run farms, and tourism from increasing attacks.
Once again, the voting behavior of the Greens reveals their detachment from reality: ideological dogmas are being placed above the existential fears of people in rural areas.
Now Berlin must act immediately and use this new flexibility to grant uncomplicated shooting permits for problem wolves. The announced 18-month period must not be used as an excuse to delay action.”
Today, the European Parliament was scheduled to decide whether to extend the trade protection measures suspended since 2022 for certain Ukrainian products — including steel — once again. Critics fear that the tariff-free import regime continues to undermine the competitiveness of European farmers, steel companies, and small and medium-sized enterprises. An open letter from the Steel Pipe Industry Association (WVSR) to all Members of the European Parliament warns of “disastrous consequences” for EU industry and urges rejection of the extension.
The Europe of Sovereign Nations (ESN) Group has therefore submitted a procedural motion to postpone the vote in order to allow for a more in-depth assessment of the economic impact. ESN MEP Prof. Dr. Hans Neuhoff stated:
“We have requested that the planned vote on further tariff suspensions for imports from Ukraine be postponed. Otherwise, our domestic economy — from family-run farms to medium-sized industries and the steel sector — would come under massive pressure.
Ukraine produces with dumping wages and without comparable environmental or social standards. If their goods continue to enter the EU unchecked, we risk jobs and value creation across Europe.
The open letter from the Steel Pipe Industry Association clearly highlights these concerns. We reacted quickly and took the concerns of small and medium-sized enterprises seriously. Unfortunately, many MEPs — particularly from the usual camps of the traditional parties — once again prioritized the interests of Ukraine over those of their own nations. The necessary votes to approve our motion for postponement were not secured — yet another nail in the coffin for the German economy.”
On May 6, 2025, the Europe of Sovereign Nations (ESN) Group, meeting in Strasbourg, unanimously welcomed the candidacy of Mr Volker Schnurrbusch, who becomes the 27th member of the ESN Group.
Volker Schnurrbusch is a German Member of the European Parliament and a member of Alternative für Deutschland (AFD). He joined the European Parliament at the beginning of April 2025 and has sat until now as a non-attached Member.
This is the second expansion of the ESN Group in less than six months, following the integration of Milan Mazurek in January 2025.
It has been officially confirmed today: The request to establish a committee of inquiry into the EU Commission's vaccine contracts — in particular the controversial Pfizer deals under Ursula von der Leyen — has reached the required 180 supporters in the European Parliament. The request, titled “TRAC – Transparency and Accountability,” will now be submitted to the Conference of Presidents for further decision in accordance with Article 215 of the Rules of Procedure.
The planned committee is intended to thoroughly investigate:
• the EU Commission’s vaccine negotiations, particularly the personal SMS communications between the Commission President and Pfizer,
• alleged corruption cases such as Qatargate and Huaweigate,
• as well as the influence exerted by non-governmental organizations funded by the Commission.
Christine Anderson, Member of the European Parliament for the ESN Group, stated:
“One of my key priorities during this legislative term has been the review of COVID-19 policies, especially regarding vaccine procurement. Citizens have a right to know how multi-billion euro contracts with liability waivers could be concluded via text message. This committee will shine a light on the dark corners of corruption within the Commission — not only in relation to vaccines but also concerning the influence of Chinese companies and Gulf states.
Now it is up to the European Christian Democrats, Social Democrats, Greens, and Leftists to decide whether they will heed our call for transparency, accountability, and political responsibility — or continue to beat the drum of so-called transparency while failing to act themselves.
My special thanks go to the Patriots for Europe group, who contributed greatly to mobilizing support and bringing this issue firmly onto the agenda. Together, we now demand: full transparency, thorough investigation, and political accountability regarding external influence, conflicts of interest, and possible legal violations within the EU institutions.”
The European Commission has presented plans aiming to completely end Russian gas imports by 2027 at the latest. In two phases, the short-term trade of Russian gas on the spot market will be prohibited starting at the end of 2025, and the signing of new contracts will also be banned. By the end of 2027, no gas at all should be imported from Russia into the EU.
Anja Arndt expresses strong criticism of this initiative. From her perspective, it is a morally motivated but inconsistent approach, as liquefied natural gas (LNG) from countries like the USA or Qatar is still being imported. According to Arndt, this fuel is not only more expensive but also especially harmful to the environment due to the energy-intensive liquefaction process and long-distance transport. She also warns of increasing dependence on new energy suppliers and criticizes the burden on consumers due to high energy prices.
The ESN Member of the European Parliament, Anja Arndt, comments:
“The EU talks about climate protection and dependencies – while creating new dependencies on global corporations and third countries, as domestic industries are brought to their knees.
This policy harms Germany twice: economically and ecologically. The pipeline infrastructure, which was reliable, efficient, and costly, is being sacrificed for ideological reasons. Instead of rational energy policy, we get green planned economy and EU double standards. Anyone who truly wants to represent German interests and protect the environment must decisively oppose this madness”
A request has been filed to lift the parliamentary immunity of AfD Member of the European Parliament Petr Bystron. The investigations are based on allegations for which, despite 21 house searches, no credible evidence has been presented so far. The AfD delegation considers the process politically motivated and sees it as an attempt to discredit a committed European politician. On this matter, ESN Group MEP Petr Bystron himself declares:
"The planned withdrawal of my immunity is not a procedure in accordance with the rule of law, but a targeted political maneuver. The fact that 21 searches have not yielded a single substantial piece of evidence illustrates the baselessness of the accusations. We are witnessing a coordinated campaign to criminalize my peace-oriented views. While in the USA under President Trump, destabilization networks such as USAID are being uncovered and curtailed, the EU is actively participating in the persecution of opposition voices.
The public prosecutor should not investigate the victims of this campaign, but its masterminds. I stand for peace, freedom of expression, and an independent judiciary. Germany must return to democracy and the rule of law."
On April 28, 2025, an unprecedented power outage occurred across the entire Iberian Peninsula. Millions of people in Spain and Portugal were left without electricity for hours. The cause was the high proportion of solar power in the Spanish energy grid.
Markus Buchheit, Member of the European Parliament from the ESN Group, commented:
"The blackout in Spain and Portugal is a wake-up call for all of Europe. The energy transition must not come at the expense of supply security. Supply security and system stability must be top priorities. Ideological considerations must not be placed above the fundamental need for a secure power supply. From our point of view, it is therefore urgently necessary to thoroughly and promptly review grid stability and existing reserve capacities in Germany and Europe to identify potential weaknesses early and minimize the risk of widespread blackouts. Only with flexible and controllable large-scale power plants can we ensure that the power system functions reliably, even with highly fluctuating input from renewable energy sources, and that peak loads can be safely absorbed."
ESN MEP Anja Arndt added:
"The excessive expansion of wind and solar energy is directly responsible for this blackout and must be stopped immediately in our country as well. We need to return to a reliable, baseload-capable energy supply – for the safety of our citizens in Germany and the entire European Union."
The European Parliament operates 15 “Experience Europe” centres in which it promotes itself as an institution. The investment costs exceed €110 million, with a further €18 million in annual running costs. Another 14 centres are planned, meaning the total expenditure will rise sharply. These figures emerged from a parliamentary question submitted by AfD MEP Alexander Jungbluth.
The ESN-group budget spokesman commented:
“It is outrageous how the EU squanders taxpayers’ money to put itself in the spotlight. While constantly telling citizens they need to tighten their belts, the ladies and gentlemen in Brussels and Strasbourg treat themselves to luxurious self-glorification temples at taxpayers’ expense. The fact that President Metsola answered my question only after several reminders shows she fears the public’s reaction. I will continue to make sure that citizens learn about the European Parliament’s drastic waste of taxes for propaganda purposes.”
The ESN Group firmly rejected the European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP), adopted last Thursday in the Committees on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) and on Security and Defence (SEDE). The Group voted unanimously against the report, which passed with 70 votes in favour, 46 against, and 8 abstentions.
From the ESN’s perspective, the EDIP violates the principle of national sovereignty and leads to further centralisation of defence policy at EU level. The planned increase in national contributions and the obligation to conduct joint procurement — with the goal of achieving at least 40 per cent of military procurement jointly by 2030 — undermine Member States’ freedom of decision and place an additional burden of €1.5 billion on national budgets via the EU budget. While the introduction of a “Buy European” principle, requiring 70 per cent of value creation within the EU, is welcome in principle, it is not sufficient to protect the interests of individual nations.
The ESN Group also criticises the integration of Ukraine into the European defence industry as risky and politically motivated. Rather than further communitisation, the ESN Group calls for a consistent strengthening of national defence industries and a return to a policy of national responsibility.
Markus Buchheit, Member of the European Parliament for the ESN Group, stated:
“The security of Europe is the responsibility of sovereign nation-states, not the Brussels bureaucracy. The EDIP is another step towards a European army, which we firmly reject. We stand for national sovereignty, democratic oversight, and a responsible defence policy to ensure the safety of our citizens.
The ESN Group will continue to advocate for the preservation of sovereignty and the interests of Europe’s nations."
A 15-year-old student killed a 17-year-old female classmate with a hunting knife and seriously injured three other students at a Catholic high school in Nantes. A teacher reportedly managed to overpower him with a table. According to media reports, shortly before the attack, the suspected perpetrator sent a 13-page manifesto titled "Immune Action" to his classmates, in which he denounced environmental destruction, social alienation, and "totalitarian social conditioning." He called for a "biological revolt" — even at the cost of innocent lives.
Commenting on this, Anja Arndt, Member of the European Parliament from the ESN Group, stated:
"The climate hysteria, also propagated by the European Parliament, is causing more and more young people to despair. The number of depressed young people is skyrocketing. The BARMER health insurance company, together with the SINUS Institute, conducted a study to examine 'the effects of climate change' on the mental health of young people. The results show that climate anxiety is now widespread among adolescents. 36% of surveyed young people reported experiencing severe anxiety about climate change (levels 8–10 on a ten-point scale), while another 27% reported moderate anxiety (levels 6–7). Only 16% stated that they had no anxiety (levels 1–3).
It is not alleged climate fluctuations that frighten our young people, but the irresponsible reporting by the media and misleading statements by politicians. Climate policy, which often is not based on scientific facts but rather on green-left ideology and fearmongering, unsettles and burdens our citizens. It not only leads to poverty and illness but also fosters the emergence of more climate extremists in the long term. In France, this climate hysteria has now even led to a rampage with dead and injured.
No one can have an interest in seeing our young people further frightened, unsettled, or even radicalized by this green-left ideology. We, the ESN Group in the European Parliament, say: Enough with irresponsible climate policy! Enough with the Green Deal!"
AfD Member of the European Parliament Petr Bystron visited imprisoned British activist Tommy Robinson yesterday at Woodhill Prison. Robinson has repeatedly faced repression due to his documentaries critical of Islam.
"Tommy Robinson is a political prisoner. He was convicted for distributing his video 'Silencer', even though several witnesses confirmed the truthfulness of the video in court. Robinson was imprisoned because he refused to withdraw the video. That is true civil courage! Despite this unjust treatment and the grueling conditions of solitary confinement, Robinson remains steadfast and intends to continue his fight for freedom of speech even after his release.
In doing so, he is also fighting for us, because the growing restrictions on freedom of speech across Europe have reached alarming levels. Just like in the UK, opposition figures and government-critical journalists are being suppressed and persecuted in the EU as well — the imprisonment of the blogger Shlomo and the suspended seven-month prison sentence for the editor-in-chief of Deutschland Kurier, David Bendels, for a satirical post, are just the latest examples from Germany.
In the European Parliament, we are fighting to ensure that voices like Tommy Robinson's are heard. We will not forget these individuals and will continue to advocate for the defense of freedom of speech and the depoliticization of the judiciary."
The European Commission is planning to introduce an annual mandatory inspection for all cars older than ten years. The aim of this measure is to improve road safety. However, the proposal still needs to be approved by the European Parliament and the EU member states before it can come into effect. Regarding this, ESN MEP Siegbert Droese stated:
"This proposal is yet another attack on the freedom and prosperity of our citizens. Instead of providing relief, it imposes an additional financial burden. Those who cannot afford a new car will be the ones punished by this measure.
It is unacceptable that the European Commission continues to harass citizens with ever more regulations and restrict individual mobility. Existing regulations are sufficient — this is a blatant attempt to push a green agenda under the guise of road safety and to further restrict individual mobility.
We call on the EU institutions to immediately withdraw this proposal, and we will vote against this senseless initiative in Parliament."
According to a response to a parliamentary question by MEP Alexander Jungbluth, the EU refuses to repatriate Syrian refugees to their home country.
Commenting on this, Alexander Jungbluth, Member of the European Parliament for the ESN Group, states:
“It took the EU Commission a full four months to respond to my inquiry. And the answer is sobering! Despite the regime change in Syria and the disappearance of the original grounds for fleeing the Assad government, the EU is not planning any repatriations.
For the EU, it apparently makes no difference whether an asylum seeker still has valid grounds for protection or not. The asylum system continues to serve only one purpose: to flood the EU with largely unqualified and culturally alien migrants. Once again, this response shows that the EU has no real interest in ending mass migration in the interest of its own citizens.”
The EU Commission plans to ease key elements of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and promises to reduce bureaucracy for European farmers. What may seem like a course correction at first glance is, in reality, an admission of political failure.
Arno Bausemer, Member of the European Parliament for the ESN Group and member of the Agriculture Committee, explains:
“For years, the Commission has systematically destroyed European agriculture through overregulation. Countless farmers have had to give up their farms – not due to a lack of performance, but because of an ideologically driven agricultural policy from Brussels. Now, the Commission is being tripped up by its own policies. The fact that measures such as GAEC standards are now to be watered down shows just how misguided the previous course was.
Despite the planned relief measures, the Commission’s overall direction remains questionable. Even the Directorate-General itself warns of the loss of oversight capabilities, and ideologically motivated climate regulations continue to play a central role in the agricultural sector.
Questionable steps such as the proposed tariffs on fertilizer imports from Russia further demonstrate that the EU Commission is not genuinely concerned with safeguarding European agriculture. Our farmers depend on this affordable fertilizer to maintain their competitiveness and must no longer be used as pawns in senseless political proxy wars.
Tinkering with a few minor adjustments is not enough when the ideological foundation remains intact. As long as climate ideology takes precedence over practical solutions, nothing will fundamentally change for Europe’s farmers.”
The EU has approved an aid package worth 1.6 billion euros for the Palestinian Authority. The funds are intended to support reforms, reconstruction, and administrative structures in the region, particularly in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The EU emphasizes that the money is tied to a willingness to reform — but no concrete conditions have been specified. Commenting on this, Alexander Jungbluth, MEP from the ESN group, states:
“Widespread corruption, barely functioning administration, and areas partly controlled by the radical Islamist Hamas — that’s where the EU wants to send 1.6 billion euros of European taxpayer money.
How the money will actually be used is almost impossible to monitor or even track transparently. While the EU talks about necessary reforms, it remains vague beyond that. As a general rule, aid to foreign countries should always be tied to the concept of remigration — in this case, the return of criminal and deportable Palestinians from Europe. That would actually be of help to Europe!”
The European Commission has launched a four-week public consultation to update its “Nuclear Illustrative Programme” (PNIC). The goal is to present a revised strategic document in the second quarter, outlining future investment needs in the European nuclear sector. The focus includes the construction of new reactors, lifetime extensions for existing plants, the management of radioactive waste, and the development of new technologies such as Small Modular Reactors and nuclear fusion. The backdrop to this initiative is the renewed interest in nuclear power among many EU member states.
Markus Buchheit, Member of the European Parliament from the ESN Group, comments:
“Even the European Commission – usually responsible for climate-ideological experiments like the Green Deal – is now backing the expansion of nuclear energy. Meanwhile, Germany continues on its isolated and ideologically driven path of phasing out nuclear power. This is not only disconnected from reality – it is extremely dangerous for our economic competitiveness.
The EU rightly recognizes that nuclear energy is an indispensable pillar for affordable, stable, and low-carbon electricity supply. New reactors, new technologies, more research, and targeted investments: other European countries are preparing for the future. And Germany? It is the only industrialized nation to completely shut down its functioning nuclear power plants – despite skyrocketing electricity prices, growing dependence on energy imports, and clear risks to energy security and the economy.
This ideological refusal to face reality harms not only the German people but also massively undermines our economic competitiveness. It is high time that Berlin wakes up: without nuclear energy, there can be no secure, independent, or future-proof energy supply – neither in Germany nor anywhere else.
We call on the German government to stop denying reality, reverse the nuclear phase-out, and finally act in a technologically open and responsible manner.”
The case of the rejected Eritrean asylum seeker Kahlid O., currently the subject of media attention, once again raises questions about German asylum policy. Despite entering via safe third countries and having his asylum application rejected, he committed several criminal offenses. After serving a prison sentence and receiving release payments, he reoffended. Deportation is currently considered unlikely, as Eritrea refuses to provide identification. The man is now receiving psychiatric treatment at the state's expense and remains in Germany. Regarding this, ESN parliamentary group MEP Mary Khan states:
“Countries like Eritrea have received millions of euros in aid payments from the European Union for years, yet refuse to take back their rejected nationals once their asylum claims are denied.
Germany must immediately part ways with the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act! Asylum seekers should no longer receive monetary benefits but should instead only receive in-kind benefits for the duration of their procedures.
As long as the federal government is not willing to act, benefits for rejected asylum seekers must be suspended, foreign remittances to their countries of origin must be immediately banned, and pressure on countries of origin must be increased by suspending aid payments.
Countries like Eritrea that actively prevent the return of rejected asylum seekers must no longer be rewarded for their behavior.”
According to plans by the EU’s chief diplomat Kaja Kallas, €40 billion are to be allocated for the continued armament of Ukrainian armed forces. Her proposal includes joint financing based on a distribution key that takes into account the gross national income of each EU member state. Following the latest Russian attacks, the proposal is once again gaining attention among several member states.
MEP Petr Bystron of the ESN group commented:
“The EU wants to finance the Ukrainian war machinery with another €40 billion – and Germany is supposed to pay for it. Under Ms. Kallas's distribution key, Germany would bear the lion’s share, meaning German taxpayers would be disproportionately burdened. We reject that. Instead of Germany supplying money for ammunition and prolonging the dying, we as the AfD delegation are calling for a diplomatic solution. Not a single additional euro of German taxpayer money should go to Ukraine!
This is all the more true now that the United States under President Trump is advocating for a negotiated solution to the conflict. It is disturbing that the EU so stubbornly refuses to recognize the signs of the times and contribute to a diplomatic resolution of the conflict.”
The European Court of Auditors criticizes the lack of transparency in the allocation of EU funding to non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Between 2021 and 2023, NGOs received around 7.4 billion euros, with 4.8 billion euros coming directly from the EU Commission. The report points out that there is no clear overview of how these funds are used, especially regarding lobbying activities and adherence to EU values by the NGOs. Additionally, there is no consistent definition of NGOs, further hindering transparency.
EU Member of Parliament Mary Khan of the ESN Group states:
"What has been uncovered here is a scandal: Left-wing networks are being funded with billions to push the ideological goals of the EU Commission and national governments – far from any democratic accountability.
The allocation of these funds is happening without any transparency and in the billions. The EU Commission repeatedly positions itself as a moral compass while harshly criticizing states that oppose it. However, the reality is quite the opposite. The EU Commission operates far from any democratic rules, as the latest report from the European Court of Auditors reveals.
As part of the ESN Group, we have made it our mission to expose this swamp. Whether this new scandal is just the tip of the iceberg remains to be seen. We will certainly continue to dig deeper."
The response from the European Commission to a written question by ESN Member of the European Parliament Mary Khan is sobering. Mary Khan wanted to know the financial burden in the areas of healthcare, housing, education, security, and social welfare. Instead of answers, she received vague phrases and ignorance. Mary Khan comments:
“‘We don’t know – and we don’t want to know.’ These words sum up the response of the European Commission and Commissioner Magnus Brunner briefly and clearly.”
Apparently, Brussels fears the political explosive power of honest figures. Every year, hundreds of thousands of illegal migrants enter the EU – yet no one wants to know what this costs. Those who don’t count, don’t have to take responsibility. And those who don’t measure, can gloss over everything. The refusal to provide any transparency is a slap in the face to European taxpayers.
I therefore call for an independent, country-specific, and transparent cost analysis of illegal migration. Anyone who wants to talk about migration must also talk about its consequences – honestly, based on data, and without ideological filters. Anything else is political window dressing at the expense of the citizens.
The ESN Group has submitted a motion for a European Parliament resolution calling for a strong and united response to what it sees as Germany’s departure from financial stability. The initiative highlights concerns over Germany’s use of “Sondervermögen” (special funds) and its potential impact on EU fiscal rules and overall economic stability.
Alexander Jungbluth, Member of the European Parliament for the ESN Group and member of the BUDG Committee, stated:
“The debt binge we are currently witnessing in Germany endangers not only the country’s own stability but also that of the entire European financial system. That’s why, together with the European Parliament, we are calling on the Commission to take action to ensure that the Federal Republic of Germany complies with existing EU law and stops violating the Maastricht criteria.
If the European Parliament wants to maintain its credibility when it comes to upholding European rules and laws, our resolution must be taken seriously and negotiated across party lines. There can only be one conclusion: under the leadership of Friedrich Merz, the German government is not only jeopardizing the future of its own citizens and generations to come, but also playing with the financial and economic security of the entire Eurozone.”
Siegbert Droese (ESN/AfD), Member of the European Parliament, strongly criticises the proposed EU directive on driving licence reform as well as the directive on licence withdrawal, calling them bureaucratic and patronising. As shadow rapporteur for both proposals, he took part in the negotiations and warns of the consequences for citizens and Member States – despite the ESN Group’s efforts in both trilogues to tone down the drafts:
“Under the guise of road safety, the EU aimed to push through far-reaching interference in national traffic policy. However, many of the directive’s absurd proposals – such as mandatory medical checks for seniors only, age-based speed limits, or bans on SUVs and night driving for novice drivers – were successfully blocked in negotiations thanks to the centre-right majority.
In the talks on the licence withdrawal directive, we also managed to remove the originally planned EU-wide points system. This proves that resistance to excessive EU regulation can be successful.
Still, the proposed rules remain deeply problematic, representing yet another disproportionate infringement on national sovereignty – at the expense of citizens and with no real benefit to road safety.
What we need is pragmatic transport policy that ensures safety with common sense – not more red tape and top-down control from Brussels.”
A new report reveals how the European Commission is indirectly shaping public opinion through the funding of non-governmental organisations (NGOs). According to the investigation, this has led to the creation of a dense network that promotes political narratives aligned with the EU – all without public transparency. These revelations raise serious questions about the political neutrality and democratic legitimacy of this practice.
Mary Khan, Member of the European Parliament for the ESN Group, stated:
“What the EU calls ‘value promotion’ is nothing more than a massive propaganda machine, funded with millions in taxpayer money, designed to manipulate public opinion. Whether in Georgia, Bulgaria, or Romania – we see the destructive influence of the European Union everywhere: the division into ‘good’ and ‘bad’, and targeted interference in elections and political processes.
The recent revelations about the EU Commission’s covert funding of NGOs confirm what the AfD has been warning about for years: taxpayer money is being used to support organisations that spread government-aligned narratives and suppress critical voices. This network undermines democratic plurality of opinion and serves as an indirect propaganda tool of Brussels.
As AfD and ESN, we demand full transparency regarding financial flows and an end to political influence by so-called independent actors. The new U.S. administration is setting an example by dismantling similar projects on its own soil.”
The European Commission has presented its Defence White Paper alongside the €800 billion rearmament programme Rearm Europe. A central element of this strategy is the mobilisation of private savings through the so-called Savings and Investment Union (SIU) to boost investments in the defence industry. The aim is to strengthen Europe’s defence capabilities and continue support for Ukraine.
Alexander Jungbluth, Member of the European Parliament for the ESN Group, commented:
“First, the German EU Commission President von der Leyen calls for billions in European rearmament without any mandate – and now she wants to get her hands on the savings of European citizens. For years, our money has already been handed out in the form of tax contributions to Ukraine without any oversight or transparency.
But these latest demands mark a new peak: The EU not only seeks to further limit national sovereignty but now wants to redirect individual citizens’ savings into investments for the war economy.
With this, the European Commission is increasingly and openly beating the drum for a ‘total war’ in Ukraine.
As the AfD delegation, we stand for the exact opposite of this EU – for peace, the preservation of cash, national sovereignty, and the right of savers to use their money as they see fit. Not a single cent more must go to Ukraine!”
Once again, the European Parliament is hit by a corruption scandal. Dozens of private residences have been searched across several member states, offices within the European Parliament have been sealed and investigated, and MEPs and their assistants are implicated. Our MEP, Mary Khan, a member of the JURI Committee, stated:
"For the ESN Group, this comes as no surprise. Corruption is not an 'incident'; it is a core element of how the European Parliament operates.
The root of the problem lies in the EP-Bureau, where decisions are made—without any public transparency—regarding the European Parliament's staggering annual budget of 2 billion euros. Elected MEPs from ESN and Patriots have been deliberately excluded from this process.
Millions are wasted on shady real estate projects worldwide, including the purchase and rental of excessively expensive and unnecessary properties in Paris, London, and Washington, with recently planned acquisitions even in Kyiv and Moldova."
The lifting of immunity for the MEPs implicated in this latest corruption scandal will be handled by the JURI Committee. Recently, left-wing MEPs used procedural tricks to delay the removal of immunity for Italian communist MEP Ilaria Salis, who is being prosecuted in Hungary for Antifa-related terrorist attacks. Mary Khan has already warned against similar procedural maneuvers:
"We will not tolerate any further attempts by MEPs in JURI to delay the lifting of immunity for those involved in this corruption scandal. Their immunity must be revoked immediately, without delay, so that justice can take its proper course."
The Romanian presidential candidate Călin Georgescu is no longer allowed to run in the Romanian elections. This decision was made by the central electoral office in Bucharest. Georgescu had unexpectedly won the first round of the presidential elections in November 2024. Shortly before the runoff election, the Constitutional Court annulled the first round.
AfD Member of the European Parliament Petr Bystron commented:
"The EU country Romania is swiftly abolishing democracy and is receiving support from Brussels. The annulment of the first election alone is a blatant scandal and a disgrace for the country. In the new elections, Georgescu would have likely won even more decisively – which is why they are now trying to prevent him from running altogether.
Additionally, there is an effort to damage Georgescu by all means: absurd accusations from the press and the judiciary, arrests, and the undermining of free elections.
What is happening in Romania is a disgrace for the EU – which is not only watching with a smile but also actively pulling the strings in the background. The EU is revealing its true face: While violent demonstrators are being supported against the legitimately elected government in Georgia, an attempted coup is underway in Romania.
The final decision of the Constitutional Court is still pending on Wednesday – a court that already annulled the first election on flimsy grounds. The AfD delegation strongly condemns the developments in Romania. Our political vision is a free and sovereign Europe of nations, in which the will of the people is respected."
The German EU MP of the ESN faction, Markus Buchheit (AfD), responds to EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s proposal to postpone the tightening of CO₂ fleet limits:
"The increasingly rigid fleet limits for car manufacturers are making the production of internal combustion engine vehicles ever more unprofitable. This is equivalent to a de facto ban on combustion engines. To keep our automotive industry internationally competitive, we do not just need a postponement of the tightening of fleet limits, but an end to them altogether."
Buchheit sees the fleet limits and the ban on new registrations of internal combustion engine vehicles in the EU from 2035 as primarily an ideologically driven attack on individual mobility – to the detriment of citizens' prosperity and freedom.
"The European automotive industry is falling further and further behind manufacturers, particularly from China. The main reason for this is, among other things, the absurd political coercion and the ever-increasing politically induced disadvantages of location. However, European prosperity depends significantly on the performance of the European automotive industry. With these overreaching regulations, the EU is ultimately sawing off the very branch it is sitting on," Buchheit concludes.
At a government summit in London, Ursula von der Leyen called for a "massive armament" of Ukraine. To achieve this, the EU must increase defense investments over an extended period. This means that further billions will flow into Ukraine’s war preparations.
In response, Alexander Sell, MP of the ESN faction, stated:
"This EU still has not understood the signs of the times. In Europe, citizens long for peace and stability. Von der Leyen's warlike stance is completely detached from the interests of the people in Ukraine and Europe.
While the United States is engaging in dialogue with Russia and has taken a seat at the negotiating table, the EU Commission—especially under the leadership of German Commission President Ursula von der Leyen—is calling for a continuation of the bloodshed in the East.
This war must finally come to an end. It is unacceptable that this conflict is being prolonged with multi-billion aid packages at the expense of European taxpayers, while the people on the ground continue to be used as pawns in the game of international powers.
Since its founding, the ESN faction has been advocating for peace in Europe and an end to the senseless bloodshed in Ukraine. Diplomatic relations must remain possible in all directions, even in times of crisis. Closing one’s eyes to reality and hoping for Ukraine’s victory is not only dangerous but is playing with fire, risking a Third World War."
Brussels/Bucharest, February 26, 2025 – Romanian election winner Călin Georgescu has been arrested, and his election annulled. Under the flimsy pretext of "Russian influence," the EU and Romanian authorities have launched an unprecedented political persecution. Supporters are being intimidated, homes searched, and lawyers prevented from doing their jobs. A fair trial is unthinkable under such conditions.
"The EU has lost all credibility. It is sliding further and further into authoritarianism. Now the Eurocrats are showing their true face: elections are annulled, opposition figures imprisoned – democracy is being trampled on!" criticizes Petr Bystron.
Bystron demands the immediate release of Călin Georgescu and an end to political repression. "The EU must return to democracy. Those who abolish fundamental rights and free elections do not stand for European values but for dictatorship."
LIBE-committee with ESN Group votes down the left-wing political ‘guidelines’ for the 2026 EU-budget
The members of the European Parliament's Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) met on Tuesday February 18 in Brussels.
The members of the Committee were due to vote on a report, drafted by Andrzej Halicki (PPE, Poland), giving the political guidelines to the European Commission for the spending of the huge 2026 EU-budget.
These guidelines are usually approved by the majority, and disapproved by the opposition. However, in a remarkable outcome, the draft report only got 25 votes in favour, with a clear 37 against and 5 abstentions.
With this vote, the so-called ‘old majority’ in the European Parliament lies in shatters.
The ESN MEPs opposed this draft report for several reasons:
• The report calls for continued ‘direct funding to civil society organisations’, while NGOs receive €1.7 billion in European funding every year, and this funding has led to massive corruption scandals;
• The report wants to increase the Union’s support ‘to counter hate speech’, while Europe needs more freedom of speech;
• The report asked to ‘fight the spread of disinformation at a large scale and develop more effective countermeasures’, while this is a pretext for unacceptable censorship against dissident voices and opinions.
The votes of the ESN Group, represented by MEPs Ewa ZAJACZKOWSKA (Konfederacja, Poland), Mary KHAN (AfD, Germany) and Petar VOLGIN (Revival party, Bulgaria) were again crucial in making this strong signal for freedom of speech and a clear stance against mass immigration.
Washington,
February 24, 2025
CPAC 2025 - An ESN delegation visited the Conservative Congress in Washington
Every year since 1974, the Americans have organised a major gathering of conservatives from all over the world. Once again this year, a large number of prominent figures attended the event, in the context of the recent election of Donald Trump. The ESN Group in the European Parliament naturally attended the event and sent a delegation.
Members of the European Parliament from the ESN group were able to listen to President Donald Trump and other high-level speakers. The convention showed that the members of the ESN group share many of the same values as conservatives and patriots from around the world:
People's freedom. A wind of freedom is blowing through Western democracies and the ESN Group fully shares this democratic aspiration. They support messages addressed to the convention by Elon Musk and US Vice-President JD Vance. Both underlined the dangers to freedom of expression in European democracies, which was welcomed by the ESN Group.
The sovereignty of nations. The values of independence, autonomy and sovereignty of nations were also widely reiterated at CPAC. Nigel Farage called on the various nations to remain free and sovereign.
The need to install capable and effective governments. The MEPs of the ESN Group were also able to appreciate the examples set by the President of Argentina, Javier Milei, and the Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, who have succeeded, in their respective countries, in obtaining rapid results that have been acclaimed by their populations.
The will to secure the borders. Finally, the ESN delegation at CPAC listened attentively to new Border Czar of the American administration, Mr Tom Homan, who has achieved spectacular results in 4 weeks, with a 95% drop in illegal entries into the United States.
The MEPs of the ESN Group in the European Parliament came back from this event strengthened in their fight to serve their sovereign nations.
The EU secretly funneled €132.82 million to media outlets across Europe to influence the 2024 European elections, as revealed by Il Fatto Quotidiano on February 11, 2025!
Top officials Ursula von der Leyen and Roberta Metsola, with support from the EU Council, used a framework contract with Havas Media France (Vivendi Group) to distribute funds while keeping recipients and amounts hidden. No transparency, no accountability – just taxpayer money buying EU-friendly news coverage!
Major media like Rai, Mediaset, Sky, Corriere della Sera, and Repubblica were PAID for favorable articles about Brussels. Is this journalism or propaganda?
EU institutions don’t sell products, so why hire an ad agency if not to manipulate the narrative? Democracy demands transparency, not hidden payments to the press!
ESN will demand in the European Parliament full disclosure of all media that benefited from this, and a full investigation to this unprecedented illegal manipulation of the European elections by the EU itself.
This blatant manipulation of public opinion using public funds is a disgrace. Full story by Il Fatto Quotidiano: https://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/.../ben-130.../7872331/..”
The process to revoke the immunity of Italian MEP Ilaria Salis has begun. Today, the left-wing MEP must justify herself before the JURI Committee of the European Parliament regarding violent attacks in Hungary. The resulting report will determine the next steps in the procedure. Salis, elected for the Alleanza Verdi e Sinistra after a lengthy detention in Hungary, is accused of severe hammer attacks on civilians in Hungary.
Mary Khan, MEP of the ESN Group, stated:
“At the time, the video of the hammer attacks on Hungarian civilians shocked all of Europe. We are witnessing a worrying escalation of left-wing violence in many countries. It is even more outrageous when left-wing parties undermine the rule of law by abusing parliamentary immunity to set offenders free. Viktor Orbán is right to demand the revocation of Ilaria Salis' immunity – we support this demand.
Only through decisive action can we prevent political interests from undermining the rule of law and endangering the safety and freedom of our society. Ilaria Salis belongs in prison, not in Parliament.”
Brussels – AfD Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Petr Bystron is calling for an immediate investigation into the activities of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in the European Union. The background to this demand is allegations that USAID sought to influence the 2024 European elections through disinformation campaigns in several EU countries. These allegations are based on revelations by Elon Musk and Donald Trump regarding illegal practices within USAID.
"Trump has done fantastic groundwork; now we must also quickly and comprehensively uncover illegal election interference by foreign states in Europe," said Bystron. He stated that there is a strong suspicion that foreign influence has massively manipulated the composition of the EU Parliament. "The EU must relentlessly combat all forms of hybrid warfare, foreign propaganda, and disinformation."
Bystron criticized the fact that USAID-funded media had deliberately targeted opposition forces. "Our democracy must be protected from foreign influences," said the AfD politician. He argued that it is the responsibility of European institutions to investigate these manipulations and ensure the security of future elections.
The U.S. Agency for International Development is currently facing criticism for allegedly using intelligence funds to influence elections and carry out regime changes worldwide. U.S. President Donald Trump has therefore drastically cut USAID’s budget and placed all employees on leave as of February 7.
Last Wednesday, the ESN Group awarded Tamara Lich with the "Women Fighting for Freedom" prize. Tamara Lich is a Canadian political activist and one of the main organizers of the so-called "Freedom Convoy" in 2022. This protest began as a movement by truck drivers against COVID-19 vaccination mandates and expanded into a broader protest against government measures and restrictions. The AfD Member of the European Parliament in the ESN Group, Christine Anderson, commented:
"It was a great honor for our Group to welcome Mrs. Lich as a guest in Strasbourg and later award her. Tamara Lich embodies the fight against an overbearing state and for the freedom of its citizens like no one else. Even after facing the harshest sanctions from the Canadian government and being arrested during the protests in Ottawa, Tamara Lich did not let herself be intimidated. 'They picked the wrong woman,' says Tamara Lich herself, defiantly. Her courage and commitment are an inspiration to us all."
Carola Rackete loses court case against AfD-Delegation
Carola Rackete, the german Left Party’s top candidate for the European elections, has lost a legal battle against the AfD delegation in the European Parliament at the Berlin Regional Court. Rackete had sued the delegation, seeking to prevent being referred to as a “smuggler.” However, the former captain of the "Sea-Watch" has now lost in court, which ruled that "a certain factual connection" to the term cannot be denied. Markus Buchheit, a Member of the European Parliament from the AfD delegation, commented: "What the AfD has repeatedly emphasized and made public is now legally confirmed. Carola Rackete may be referred to as a smuggler. The activities of so-called sea rescuers cannot be described otherwise. Those who lure refugees into the Mediterranean off the North African coast and then bring them to Europe like a prearranged shuttle service are smugglers! We will do everything in our power to put an end to this criminal activity!"
On migration, the Europe of Sovereign Nations (ESN) group stands for a strict and restrictive migration policy. ESN opposes the centralisation of migration policy by the European Union and believes that responsibility for migration and border management should lie entirely with individual member states. ESN opposes the European redistribution mechanism for refugees and migrants as we believe it undermines the sovereignty of countries and forces us to take in migrants against our will.
ESN sees large-scale migration as a risk to national security, culture and social cohesion and calls for strict border controls and effective protection of Europe's external borders. Furthermore, the group stresses the importance of return policies, whereby migrants without the right of residence are swiftly sent back to their countries of origin. ESN also strongly opposes legal migration programmes at European level and believes that each member state should be able to decide for itself who can or cannot enter its borders.
The European Commission has significantly downgraded its growth forecast for the eurozone – to 0.9% for 2025 and 1.4% for 2026. One of the main reasons is the economic weakness in Germany. ESN MEP Rada Laykova commented:
"The EU has already been in economic stagnation for about a decade. Even those 1% growths reported are mostly just the result of statistical tricks. The European Commission is quick to point fingers at the USA or Russia, but the problems in Europe are homemade. The current drastic cut in the EU’s growth forecast is yet another sign of the failure of Brussels’ current policies. Instead of strengthening the competitiveness of European companies, the Commission has pursued an ideologically driven agenda of economic self-sabotage in recent years – from excessive bureaucracy to costly climate regulations that particularly hurt our industry. Does the EU learn? No. The Draghi report only just admitted what the so-called 'EU critics' have been saying for a decade: the EU, with its doctrine of ever more planned economy, monetary distortion and regulation, is undermining Europe’s competitiveness. However, the Draghi report just admits the problem after it had become impossible to hide the economic stagnation anymore, but then demands that allegedly only 'more EU' is the solution to something which was caused by already 'too much EU'. A common trick of the EU: create a problem yourself and then spin its causality for even more control and more money for the EU.
What is especially worrying is the economic stagnation in Germany, the backbone of Europe’s economy. High energy prices – caused by the self-imposed disconnection from reliable energy sources – and a massive investment backlog are problems of the EU’s own making. An industrial economy cannot exist without cheap and reliable energy. Germany no longer has either. The Commission bears responsibility because it constantly interferes too much in national economic policies or energy imports instead of enabling independent solutions.
In light of the economic situation, the ESN Group calls for an immediate moratorium on all new EU regulations that further burden businesses, as well as a fundamental reorientation of energy policy toward affordable and secure supply for citizens and industry. In addition, we need to access some of our own sources for certain resources, especially since the EU seems to intentionally head into economic and geopolitical isolation when you read some of its newest reports. The 'intentionally' is, of course, not admitted, but can be observed. Furthermore, a return to sound fiscal policy and responsible use of EU funds is urgently needed. The EU, though, is heading for the exact opposite.”
In a preliminary assessment, the European Commission has accused the platform TikTok of violating European digital regulations. For ESN Member of the European Parliament Mary Khan, one thing is clear: this is not a technocratic concern — it is a targeted attack on digital freedom of expression in Europe. The MEP explained:
“While U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance used the Munich Security Conference to emphatically highlight the limits of illiberal control fantasies to the EU elites, von der Leyen and her allies continue undeterred on their path of acting as a moral censorship authority. Now TikTok is under fire — a platform that many young people value precisely because of its unfiltered content, seeing it as a space for free expression.
The real reason: because parties like the AfD — and many other patriotic movements across Europe — are able to reach millions on TikTok, the Brussels power cartel sees the platform as a thorn in its side. This is no longer about data protection or regulation — it is about total control over information and opinion. Those who think critically are to be silenced.
Free speech is the Achilles’ heel of any liberal order, and today it is being attacked by Brussels under flimsy pretexts. We stand firmly and unconditionally for digital freedom of expression. The European Commission must immediately end its ideologically driven course of censorship.”
The European Court of Justice has reprimanded the EU Commission over the disappearance of text messages between Ursula von der Leyen and Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla regarding the multi-billion euro vaccine deals.
Christine Anderson, Member of the ESN Group, commented as follows:
“Today’s ruling by the EU General Court is a political earthquake in the affair surrounding the secret COVID-19 vaccine contracts. The European Commission violated the right to transparency by refusing access to text messages exchanged between Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and the CEO of Pfizer. The court has now made it clear: the deletion of these messages was unlawful.
This deliberate disregard for legal and transparency obligations cannot go unpunished. Von der Leyen’s personal misconduct is emblematic of a broader institutional failure within the Commission. Both von der Leyen and the Commission must be held accountable. A parliamentary committee of inquiry must now be established – with real powers, including the authority to compel von der Leyen to testify under oath. Only such a process can ensure genuine and comprehensive accountability.
As early as 2023, the European Parliament’s COVID Committee sought to question the Commission President – but she refused to appear. That cannot and must not be the end of the matter.
Those who hold positions of responsibility must not be allowed to evade scrutiny. The EU must now prove that it has learned from this scandal – or it risks permanently losing the trust of its citizens.”
The ESN Group in the European Parliament warmly congratulates Pope Leo XIV on his election and extends its heartfelt wishes for a pontificate marked by blessing and strength. As the spiritual leader of more than one billion Catholics, he assumes a responsibility of historic and global significance.
The co-president of the ESN Group, René Aust, explains:
„Especially in times of societal disorientation, the voice of the Church can serve as a vital compass and anchor.
May Pope Leo XIV, with wisdom, courage, and the help of God, strengthen the bond between faith, truth, and freedom in Europe.
May God protect Pope Leo XIV.“
On May 8, 2025, the European Parliament voted with 371 in favor, 162 against, and 37 abstentions to downgrade the protection status of the wolf across the EU from “strictly protected” to “protected.” This change gives member states greater flexibility to remove problematic animals, provided that the species maintains a favorable conservation status. Support came primarily from agricultural sectors and conservative MEPs, while Greens, WWF, and other animal protection organizations warned of a setback for species conservation. After formal approval by the Council of Ministers, member states will have 18 months to transpose the change into national law.
Commenting on this, Anja Arndt, MEP of the ESN Group, stated:
“With this decision, Parliament is finally addressing the real challenges faced in our rural regions. We are giving member states a flexible tool to take the legitimate concerns of livestock farmers seriously, without demonizing the wolf across the board. The downgrading of the protection status is a welcome step, especially for farming operations and alpine pastoralism. At last, a path is being cleared to protect grazing animals, family-run farms, and tourism from increasing attacks.
Once again, the voting behavior of the Greens reveals their detachment from reality: ideological dogmas are being placed above the existential fears of people in rural areas.
Now Berlin must act immediately and use this new flexibility to grant uncomplicated shooting permits for problem wolves. The announced 18-month period must not be used as an excuse to delay action.”
Today, the European Parliament was scheduled to decide whether to extend the trade protection measures suspended since 2022 for certain Ukrainian products — including steel — once again. Critics fear that the tariff-free import regime continues to undermine the competitiveness of European farmers, steel companies, and small and medium-sized enterprises. An open letter from the Steel Pipe Industry Association (WVSR) to all Members of the European Parliament warns of “disastrous consequences” for EU industry and urges rejection of the extension.
The Europe of Sovereign Nations (ESN) Group has therefore submitted a procedural motion to postpone the vote in order to allow for a more in-depth assessment of the economic impact. ESN MEP Prof. Dr. Hans Neuhoff stated:
“We have requested that the planned vote on further tariff suspensions for imports from Ukraine be postponed. Otherwise, our domestic economy — from family-run farms to medium-sized industries and the steel sector — would come under massive pressure.
Ukraine produces with dumping wages and without comparable environmental or social standards. If their goods continue to enter the EU unchecked, we risk jobs and value creation across Europe.
The open letter from the Steel Pipe Industry Association clearly highlights these concerns. We reacted quickly and took the concerns of small and medium-sized enterprises seriously. Unfortunately, many MEPs — particularly from the usual camps of the traditional parties — once again prioritized the interests of Ukraine over those of their own nations. The necessary votes to approve our motion for postponement were not secured — yet another nail in the coffin for the German economy.”
On May 6, 2025, the Europe of Sovereign Nations (ESN) Group, meeting in Strasbourg, unanimously welcomed the candidacy of Mr Volker Schnurrbusch, who becomes the 27th member of the ESN Group.
Volker Schnurrbusch is a German Member of the European Parliament and a member of Alternative für Deutschland (AFD). He joined the European Parliament at the beginning of April 2025 and has sat until now as a non-attached Member.
This is the second expansion of the ESN Group in less than six months, following the integration of Milan Mazurek in January 2025.
It has been officially confirmed today: The request to establish a committee of inquiry into the EU Commission's vaccine contracts — in particular the controversial Pfizer deals under Ursula von der Leyen — has reached the required 180 supporters in the European Parliament. The request, titled “TRAC – Transparency and Accountability,” will now be submitted to the Conference of Presidents for further decision in accordance with Article 215 of the Rules of Procedure.
The planned committee is intended to thoroughly investigate:
• the EU Commission’s vaccine negotiations, particularly the personal SMS communications between the Commission President and Pfizer,
• alleged corruption cases such as Qatargate and Huaweigate,
• as well as the influence exerted by non-governmental organizations funded by the Commission.
Christine Anderson, Member of the European Parliament for the ESN Group, stated:
“One of my key priorities during this legislative term has been the review of COVID-19 policies, especially regarding vaccine procurement. Citizens have a right to know how multi-billion euro contracts with liability waivers could be concluded via text message. This committee will shine a light on the dark corners of corruption within the Commission — not only in relation to vaccines but also concerning the influence of Chinese companies and Gulf states.
Now it is up to the European Christian Democrats, Social Democrats, Greens, and Leftists to decide whether they will heed our call for transparency, accountability, and political responsibility — or continue to beat the drum of so-called transparency while failing to act themselves.
My special thanks go to the Patriots for Europe group, who contributed greatly to mobilizing support and bringing this issue firmly onto the agenda. Together, we now demand: full transparency, thorough investigation, and political accountability regarding external influence, conflicts of interest, and possible legal violations within the EU institutions.”
The European Commission has presented plans aiming to completely end Russian gas imports by 2027 at the latest. In two phases, the short-term trade of Russian gas on the spot market will be prohibited starting at the end of 2025, and the signing of new contracts will also be banned. By the end of 2027, no gas at all should be imported from Russia into the EU.
Anja Arndt expresses strong criticism of this initiative. From her perspective, it is a morally motivated but inconsistent approach, as liquefied natural gas (LNG) from countries like the USA or Qatar is still being imported. According to Arndt, this fuel is not only more expensive but also especially harmful to the environment due to the energy-intensive liquefaction process and long-distance transport. She also warns of increasing dependence on new energy suppliers and criticizes the burden on consumers due to high energy prices.
The ESN Member of the European Parliament, Anja Arndt, comments:
“The EU talks about climate protection and dependencies – while creating new dependencies on global corporations and third countries, as domestic industries are brought to their knees.
This policy harms Germany twice: economically and ecologically. The pipeline infrastructure, which was reliable, efficient, and costly, is being sacrificed for ideological reasons. Instead of rational energy policy, we get green planned economy and EU double standards. Anyone who truly wants to represent German interests and protect the environment must decisively oppose this madness”
A request has been filed to lift the parliamentary immunity of AfD Member of the European Parliament Petr Bystron. The investigations are based on allegations for which, despite 21 house searches, no credible evidence has been presented so far. The AfD delegation considers the process politically motivated and sees it as an attempt to discredit a committed European politician. On this matter, ESN Group MEP Petr Bystron himself declares:
"The planned withdrawal of my immunity is not a procedure in accordance with the rule of law, but a targeted political maneuver. The fact that 21 searches have not yielded a single substantial piece of evidence illustrates the baselessness of the accusations. We are witnessing a coordinated campaign to criminalize my peace-oriented views. While in the USA under President Trump, destabilization networks such as USAID are being uncovered and curtailed, the EU is actively participating in the persecution of opposition voices.
The public prosecutor should not investigate the victims of this campaign, but its masterminds. I stand for peace, freedom of expression, and an independent judiciary. Germany must return to democracy and the rule of law."
On April 28, 2025, an unprecedented power outage occurred across the entire Iberian Peninsula. Millions of people in Spain and Portugal were left without electricity for hours. The cause was the high proportion of solar power in the Spanish energy grid.
Markus Buchheit, Member of the European Parliament from the ESN Group, commented:
"The blackout in Spain and Portugal is a wake-up call for all of Europe. The energy transition must not come at the expense of supply security. Supply security and system stability must be top priorities. Ideological considerations must not be placed above the fundamental need for a secure power supply. From our point of view, it is therefore urgently necessary to thoroughly and promptly review grid stability and existing reserve capacities in Germany and Europe to identify potential weaknesses early and minimize the risk of widespread blackouts. Only with flexible and controllable large-scale power plants can we ensure that the power system functions reliably, even with highly fluctuating input from renewable energy sources, and that peak loads can be safely absorbed."
ESN MEP Anja Arndt added:
"The excessive expansion of wind and solar energy is directly responsible for this blackout and must be stopped immediately in our country as well. We need to return to a reliable, baseload-capable energy supply – for the safety of our citizens in Germany and the entire European Union."
The European Parliament operates 15 “Experience Europe” centres in which it promotes itself as an institution. The investment costs exceed €110 million, with a further €18 million in annual running costs. Another 14 centres are planned, meaning the total expenditure will rise sharply. These figures emerged from a parliamentary question submitted by AfD MEP Alexander Jungbluth.
The ESN-group budget spokesman commented:
“It is outrageous how the EU squanders taxpayers’ money to put itself in the spotlight. While constantly telling citizens they need to tighten their belts, the ladies and gentlemen in Brussels and Strasbourg treat themselves to luxurious self-glorification temples at taxpayers’ expense. The fact that President Metsola answered my question only after several reminders shows she fears the public’s reaction. I will continue to make sure that citizens learn about the European Parliament’s drastic waste of taxes for propaganda purposes.”
The ESN Group firmly rejected the European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP), adopted last Thursday in the Committees on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) and on Security and Defence (SEDE). The Group voted unanimously against the report, which passed with 70 votes in favour, 46 against, and 8 abstentions.
From the ESN’s perspective, the EDIP violates the principle of national sovereignty and leads to further centralisation of defence policy at EU level. The planned increase in national contributions and the obligation to conduct joint procurement — with the goal of achieving at least 40 per cent of military procurement jointly by 2030 — undermine Member States’ freedom of decision and place an additional burden of €1.5 billion on national budgets via the EU budget. While the introduction of a “Buy European” principle, requiring 70 per cent of value creation within the EU, is welcome in principle, it is not sufficient to protect the interests of individual nations.
The ESN Group also criticises the integration of Ukraine into the European defence industry as risky and politically motivated. Rather than further communitisation, the ESN Group calls for a consistent strengthening of national defence industries and a return to a policy of national responsibility.
Markus Buchheit, Member of the European Parliament for the ESN Group, stated:
“The security of Europe is the responsibility of sovereign nation-states, not the Brussels bureaucracy. The EDIP is another step towards a European army, which we firmly reject. We stand for national sovereignty, democratic oversight, and a responsible defence policy to ensure the safety of our citizens.
The ESN Group will continue to advocate for the preservation of sovereignty and the interests of Europe’s nations."
A 15-year-old student killed a 17-year-old female classmate with a hunting knife and seriously injured three other students at a Catholic high school in Nantes. A teacher reportedly managed to overpower him with a table. According to media reports, shortly before the attack, the suspected perpetrator sent a 13-page manifesto titled "Immune Action" to his classmates, in which he denounced environmental destruction, social alienation, and "totalitarian social conditioning." He called for a "biological revolt" — even at the cost of innocent lives.
Commenting on this, Anja Arndt, Member of the European Parliament from the ESN Group, stated:
"The climate hysteria, also propagated by the European Parliament, is causing more and more young people to despair. The number of depressed young people is skyrocketing. The BARMER health insurance company, together with the SINUS Institute, conducted a study to examine 'the effects of climate change' on the mental health of young people. The results show that climate anxiety is now widespread among adolescents. 36% of surveyed young people reported experiencing severe anxiety about climate change (levels 8–10 on a ten-point scale), while another 27% reported moderate anxiety (levels 6–7). Only 16% stated that they had no anxiety (levels 1–3).
It is not alleged climate fluctuations that frighten our young people, but the irresponsible reporting by the media and misleading statements by politicians. Climate policy, which often is not based on scientific facts but rather on green-left ideology and fearmongering, unsettles and burdens our citizens. It not only leads to poverty and illness but also fosters the emergence of more climate extremists in the long term. In France, this climate hysteria has now even led to a rampage with dead and injured.
No one can have an interest in seeing our young people further frightened, unsettled, or even radicalized by this green-left ideology. We, the ESN Group in the European Parliament, say: Enough with irresponsible climate policy! Enough with the Green Deal!"
AfD Member of the European Parliament Petr Bystron visited imprisoned British activist Tommy Robinson yesterday at Woodhill Prison. Robinson has repeatedly faced repression due to his documentaries critical of Islam.
"Tommy Robinson is a political prisoner. He was convicted for distributing his video 'Silencer', even though several witnesses confirmed the truthfulness of the video in court. Robinson was imprisoned because he refused to withdraw the video. That is true civil courage! Despite this unjust treatment and the grueling conditions of solitary confinement, Robinson remains steadfast and intends to continue his fight for freedom of speech even after his release.
In doing so, he is also fighting for us, because the growing restrictions on freedom of speech across Europe have reached alarming levels. Just like in the UK, opposition figures and government-critical journalists are being suppressed and persecuted in the EU as well — the imprisonment of the blogger Shlomo and the suspended seven-month prison sentence for the editor-in-chief of Deutschland Kurier, David Bendels, for a satirical post, are just the latest examples from Germany.
In the European Parliament, we are fighting to ensure that voices like Tommy Robinson's are heard. We will not forget these individuals and will continue to advocate for the defense of freedom of speech and the depoliticization of the judiciary."
The European Commission is planning to introduce an annual mandatory inspection for all cars older than ten years. The aim of this measure is to improve road safety. However, the proposal still needs to be approved by the European Parliament and the EU member states before it can come into effect. Regarding this, ESN MEP Siegbert Droese stated:
"This proposal is yet another attack on the freedom and prosperity of our citizens. Instead of providing relief, it imposes an additional financial burden. Those who cannot afford a new car will be the ones punished by this measure.
It is unacceptable that the European Commission continues to harass citizens with ever more regulations and restrict individual mobility. Existing regulations are sufficient — this is a blatant attempt to push a green agenda under the guise of road safety and to further restrict individual mobility.
We call on the EU institutions to immediately withdraw this proposal, and we will vote against this senseless initiative in Parliament."
According to a response to a parliamentary question by MEP Alexander Jungbluth, the EU refuses to repatriate Syrian refugees to their home country.
Commenting on this, Alexander Jungbluth, Member of the European Parliament for the ESN Group, states:
“It took the EU Commission a full four months to respond to my inquiry. And the answer is sobering! Despite the regime change in Syria and the disappearance of the original grounds for fleeing the Assad government, the EU is not planning any repatriations.
For the EU, it apparently makes no difference whether an asylum seeker still has valid grounds for protection or not. The asylum system continues to serve only one purpose: to flood the EU with largely unqualified and culturally alien migrants. Once again, this response shows that the EU has no real interest in ending mass migration in the interest of its own citizens.”
The EU Commission plans to ease key elements of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and promises to reduce bureaucracy for European farmers. What may seem like a course correction at first glance is, in reality, an admission of political failure.
Arno Bausemer, Member of the European Parliament for the ESN Group and member of the Agriculture Committee, explains:
“For years, the Commission has systematically destroyed European agriculture through overregulation. Countless farmers have had to give up their farms – not due to a lack of performance, but because of an ideologically driven agricultural policy from Brussels. Now, the Commission is being tripped up by its own policies. The fact that measures such as GAEC standards are now to be watered down shows just how misguided the previous course was.
Despite the planned relief measures, the Commission’s overall direction remains questionable. Even the Directorate-General itself warns of the loss of oversight capabilities, and ideologically motivated climate regulations continue to play a central role in the agricultural sector.
Questionable steps such as the proposed tariffs on fertilizer imports from Russia further demonstrate that the EU Commission is not genuinely concerned with safeguarding European agriculture. Our farmers depend on this affordable fertilizer to maintain their competitiveness and must no longer be used as pawns in senseless political proxy wars.
Tinkering with a few minor adjustments is not enough when the ideological foundation remains intact. As long as climate ideology takes precedence over practical solutions, nothing will fundamentally change for Europe’s farmers.”
The EU has approved an aid package worth 1.6 billion euros for the Palestinian Authority. The funds are intended to support reforms, reconstruction, and administrative structures in the region, particularly in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The EU emphasizes that the money is tied to a willingness to reform — but no concrete conditions have been specified. Commenting on this, Alexander Jungbluth, MEP from the ESN group, states:
“Widespread corruption, barely functioning administration, and areas partly controlled by the radical Islamist Hamas — that’s where the EU wants to send 1.6 billion euros of European taxpayer money.
How the money will actually be used is almost impossible to monitor or even track transparently. While the EU talks about necessary reforms, it remains vague beyond that. As a general rule, aid to foreign countries should always be tied to the concept of remigration — in this case, the return of criminal and deportable Palestinians from Europe. That would actually be of help to Europe!”
The European Commission has launched a four-week public consultation to update its “Nuclear Illustrative Programme” (PNIC). The goal is to present a revised strategic document in the second quarter, outlining future investment needs in the European nuclear sector. The focus includes the construction of new reactors, lifetime extensions for existing plants, the management of radioactive waste, and the development of new technologies such as Small Modular Reactors and nuclear fusion. The backdrop to this initiative is the renewed interest in nuclear power among many EU member states.
Markus Buchheit, Member of the European Parliament from the ESN Group, comments:
“Even the European Commission – usually responsible for climate-ideological experiments like the Green Deal – is now backing the expansion of nuclear energy. Meanwhile, Germany continues on its isolated and ideologically driven path of phasing out nuclear power. This is not only disconnected from reality – it is extremely dangerous for our economic competitiveness.
The EU rightly recognizes that nuclear energy is an indispensable pillar for affordable, stable, and low-carbon electricity supply. New reactors, new technologies, more research, and targeted investments: other European countries are preparing for the future. And Germany? It is the only industrialized nation to completely shut down its functioning nuclear power plants – despite skyrocketing electricity prices, growing dependence on energy imports, and clear risks to energy security and the economy.
This ideological refusal to face reality harms not only the German people but also massively undermines our economic competitiveness. It is high time that Berlin wakes up: without nuclear energy, there can be no secure, independent, or future-proof energy supply – neither in Germany nor anywhere else.
We call on the German government to stop denying reality, reverse the nuclear phase-out, and finally act in a technologically open and responsible manner.”
The case of the rejected Eritrean asylum seeker Kahlid O., currently the subject of media attention, once again raises questions about German asylum policy. Despite entering via safe third countries and having his asylum application rejected, he committed several criminal offenses. After serving a prison sentence and receiving release payments, he reoffended. Deportation is currently considered unlikely, as Eritrea refuses to provide identification. The man is now receiving psychiatric treatment at the state's expense and remains in Germany. Regarding this, ESN parliamentary group MEP Mary Khan states:
“Countries like Eritrea have received millions of euros in aid payments from the European Union for years, yet refuse to take back their rejected nationals once their asylum claims are denied.
Germany must immediately part ways with the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act! Asylum seekers should no longer receive monetary benefits but should instead only receive in-kind benefits for the duration of their procedures.
As long as the federal government is not willing to act, benefits for rejected asylum seekers must be suspended, foreign remittances to their countries of origin must be immediately banned, and pressure on countries of origin must be increased by suspending aid payments.
Countries like Eritrea that actively prevent the return of rejected asylum seekers must no longer be rewarded for their behavior.”
According to plans by the EU’s chief diplomat Kaja Kallas, €40 billion are to be allocated for the continued armament of Ukrainian armed forces. Her proposal includes joint financing based on a distribution key that takes into account the gross national income of each EU member state. Following the latest Russian attacks, the proposal is once again gaining attention among several member states.
MEP Petr Bystron of the ESN group commented:
“The EU wants to finance the Ukrainian war machinery with another €40 billion – and Germany is supposed to pay for it. Under Ms. Kallas's distribution key, Germany would bear the lion’s share, meaning German taxpayers would be disproportionately burdened. We reject that. Instead of Germany supplying money for ammunition and prolonging the dying, we as the AfD delegation are calling for a diplomatic solution. Not a single additional euro of German taxpayer money should go to Ukraine!
This is all the more true now that the United States under President Trump is advocating for a negotiated solution to the conflict. It is disturbing that the EU so stubbornly refuses to recognize the signs of the times and contribute to a diplomatic resolution of the conflict.”
The European Court of Auditors criticizes the lack of transparency in the allocation of EU funding to non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Between 2021 and 2023, NGOs received around 7.4 billion euros, with 4.8 billion euros coming directly from the EU Commission. The report points out that there is no clear overview of how these funds are used, especially regarding lobbying activities and adherence to EU values by the NGOs. Additionally, there is no consistent definition of NGOs, further hindering transparency.
EU Member of Parliament Mary Khan of the ESN Group states:
"What has been uncovered here is a scandal: Left-wing networks are being funded with billions to push the ideological goals of the EU Commission and national governments – far from any democratic accountability.
The allocation of these funds is happening without any transparency and in the billions. The EU Commission repeatedly positions itself as a moral compass while harshly criticizing states that oppose it. However, the reality is quite the opposite. The EU Commission operates far from any democratic rules, as the latest report from the European Court of Auditors reveals.
As part of the ESN Group, we have made it our mission to expose this swamp. Whether this new scandal is just the tip of the iceberg remains to be seen. We will certainly continue to dig deeper."
The response from the European Commission to a written question by ESN Member of the European Parliament Mary Khan is sobering. Mary Khan wanted to know the financial burden in the areas of healthcare, housing, education, security, and social welfare. Instead of answers, she received vague phrases and ignorance. Mary Khan comments:
“‘We don’t know – and we don’t want to know.’ These words sum up the response of the European Commission and Commissioner Magnus Brunner briefly and clearly.”
Apparently, Brussels fears the political explosive power of honest figures. Every year, hundreds of thousands of illegal migrants enter the EU – yet no one wants to know what this costs. Those who don’t count, don’t have to take responsibility. And those who don’t measure, can gloss over everything. The refusal to provide any transparency is a slap in the face to European taxpayers.
I therefore call for an independent, country-specific, and transparent cost analysis of illegal migration. Anyone who wants to talk about migration must also talk about its consequences – honestly, based on data, and without ideological filters. Anything else is political window dressing at the expense of the citizens.
The ESN Group has submitted a motion for a European Parliament resolution calling for a strong and united response to what it sees as Germany’s departure from financial stability. The initiative highlights concerns over Germany’s use of “Sondervermögen” (special funds) and its potential impact on EU fiscal rules and overall economic stability.
Alexander Jungbluth, Member of the European Parliament for the ESN Group and member of the BUDG Committee, stated:
“The debt binge we are currently witnessing in Germany endangers not only the country’s own stability but also that of the entire European financial system. That’s why, together with the European Parliament, we are calling on the Commission to take action to ensure that the Federal Republic of Germany complies with existing EU law and stops violating the Maastricht criteria.
If the European Parliament wants to maintain its credibility when it comes to upholding European rules and laws, our resolution must be taken seriously and negotiated across party lines. There can only be one conclusion: under the leadership of Friedrich Merz, the German government is not only jeopardizing the future of its own citizens and generations to come, but also playing with the financial and economic security of the entire Eurozone.”
Siegbert Droese (ESN/AfD), Member of the European Parliament, strongly criticises the proposed EU directive on driving licence reform as well as the directive on licence withdrawal, calling them bureaucratic and patronising. As shadow rapporteur for both proposals, he took part in the negotiations and warns of the consequences for citizens and Member States – despite the ESN Group’s efforts in both trilogues to tone down the drafts:
“Under the guise of road safety, the EU aimed to push through far-reaching interference in national traffic policy. However, many of the directive’s absurd proposals – such as mandatory medical checks for seniors only, age-based speed limits, or bans on SUVs and night driving for novice drivers – were successfully blocked in negotiations thanks to the centre-right majority.
In the talks on the licence withdrawal directive, we also managed to remove the originally planned EU-wide points system. This proves that resistance to excessive EU regulation can be successful.
Still, the proposed rules remain deeply problematic, representing yet another disproportionate infringement on national sovereignty – at the expense of citizens and with no real benefit to road safety.
What we need is pragmatic transport policy that ensures safety with common sense – not more red tape and top-down control from Brussels.”
A new report reveals how the European Commission is indirectly shaping public opinion through the funding of non-governmental organisations (NGOs). According to the investigation, this has led to the creation of a dense network that promotes political narratives aligned with the EU – all without public transparency. These revelations raise serious questions about the political neutrality and democratic legitimacy of this practice.
Mary Khan, Member of the European Parliament for the ESN Group, stated:
“What the EU calls ‘value promotion’ is nothing more than a massive propaganda machine, funded with millions in taxpayer money, designed to manipulate public opinion. Whether in Georgia, Bulgaria, or Romania – we see the destructive influence of the European Union everywhere: the division into ‘good’ and ‘bad’, and targeted interference in elections and political processes.
The recent revelations about the EU Commission’s covert funding of NGOs confirm what the AfD has been warning about for years: taxpayer money is being used to support organisations that spread government-aligned narratives and suppress critical voices. This network undermines democratic plurality of opinion and serves as an indirect propaganda tool of Brussels.
As AfD and ESN, we demand full transparency regarding financial flows and an end to political influence by so-called independent actors. The new U.S. administration is setting an example by dismantling similar projects on its own soil.”
The European Commission has presented its Defence White Paper alongside the €800 billion rearmament programme Rearm Europe. A central element of this strategy is the mobilisation of private savings through the so-called Savings and Investment Union (SIU) to boost investments in the defence industry. The aim is to strengthen Europe’s defence capabilities and continue support for Ukraine.
Alexander Jungbluth, Member of the European Parliament for the ESN Group, commented:
“First, the German EU Commission President von der Leyen calls for billions in European rearmament without any mandate – and now she wants to get her hands on the savings of European citizens. For years, our money has already been handed out in the form of tax contributions to Ukraine without any oversight or transparency.
But these latest demands mark a new peak: The EU not only seeks to further limit national sovereignty but now wants to redirect individual citizens’ savings into investments for the war economy.
With this, the European Commission is increasingly and openly beating the drum for a ‘total war’ in Ukraine.
As the AfD delegation, we stand for the exact opposite of this EU – for peace, the preservation of cash, national sovereignty, and the right of savers to use their money as they see fit. Not a single cent more must go to Ukraine!”
Once again, the European Parliament is hit by a corruption scandal. Dozens of private residences have been searched across several member states, offices within the European Parliament have been sealed and investigated, and MEPs and their assistants are implicated. Our MEP, Mary Khan, a member of the JURI Committee, stated:
"For the ESN Group, this comes as no surprise. Corruption is not an 'incident'; it is a core element of how the European Parliament operates.
The root of the problem lies in the EP-Bureau, where decisions are made—without any public transparency—regarding the European Parliament's staggering annual budget of 2 billion euros. Elected MEPs from ESN and Patriots have been deliberately excluded from this process.
Millions are wasted on shady real estate projects worldwide, including the purchase and rental of excessively expensive and unnecessary properties in Paris, London, and Washington, with recently planned acquisitions even in Kyiv and Moldova."
The lifting of immunity for the MEPs implicated in this latest corruption scandal will be handled by the JURI Committee. Recently, left-wing MEPs used procedural tricks to delay the removal of immunity for Italian communist MEP Ilaria Salis, who is being prosecuted in Hungary for Antifa-related terrorist attacks. Mary Khan has already warned against similar procedural maneuvers:
"We will not tolerate any further attempts by MEPs in JURI to delay the lifting of immunity for those involved in this corruption scandal. Their immunity must be revoked immediately, without delay, so that justice can take its proper course."
The Romanian presidential candidate Călin Georgescu is no longer allowed to run in the Romanian elections. This decision was made by the central electoral office in Bucharest. Georgescu had unexpectedly won the first round of the presidential elections in November 2024. Shortly before the runoff election, the Constitutional Court annulled the first round.
AfD Member of the European Parliament Petr Bystron commented:
"The EU country Romania is swiftly abolishing democracy and is receiving support from Brussels. The annulment of the first election alone is a blatant scandal and a disgrace for the country. In the new elections, Georgescu would have likely won even more decisively – which is why they are now trying to prevent him from running altogether.
Additionally, there is an effort to damage Georgescu by all means: absurd accusations from the press and the judiciary, arrests, and the undermining of free elections.
What is happening in Romania is a disgrace for the EU – which is not only watching with a smile but also actively pulling the strings in the background. The EU is revealing its true face: While violent demonstrators are being supported against the legitimately elected government in Georgia, an attempted coup is underway in Romania.
The final decision of the Constitutional Court is still pending on Wednesday – a court that already annulled the first election on flimsy grounds. The AfD delegation strongly condemns the developments in Romania. Our political vision is a free and sovereign Europe of nations, in which the will of the people is respected."
The German EU MP of the ESN faction, Markus Buchheit (AfD), responds to EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s proposal to postpone the tightening of CO₂ fleet limits:
"The increasingly rigid fleet limits for car manufacturers are making the production of internal combustion engine vehicles ever more unprofitable. This is equivalent to a de facto ban on combustion engines. To keep our automotive industry internationally competitive, we do not just need a postponement of the tightening of fleet limits, but an end to them altogether."
Buchheit sees the fleet limits and the ban on new registrations of internal combustion engine vehicles in the EU from 2035 as primarily an ideologically driven attack on individual mobility – to the detriment of citizens' prosperity and freedom.
"The European automotive industry is falling further and further behind manufacturers, particularly from China. The main reason for this is, among other things, the absurd political coercion and the ever-increasing politically induced disadvantages of location. However, European prosperity depends significantly on the performance of the European automotive industry. With these overreaching regulations, the EU is ultimately sawing off the very branch it is sitting on," Buchheit concludes.
At a government summit in London, Ursula von der Leyen called for a "massive armament" of Ukraine. To achieve this, the EU must increase defense investments over an extended period. This means that further billions will flow into Ukraine’s war preparations.
In response, Alexander Sell, MP of the ESN faction, stated:
"This EU still has not understood the signs of the times. In Europe, citizens long for peace and stability. Von der Leyen's warlike stance is completely detached from the interests of the people in Ukraine and Europe.
While the United States is engaging in dialogue with Russia and has taken a seat at the negotiating table, the EU Commission—especially under the leadership of German Commission President Ursula von der Leyen—is calling for a continuation of the bloodshed in the East.
This war must finally come to an end. It is unacceptable that this conflict is being prolonged with multi-billion aid packages at the expense of European taxpayers, while the people on the ground continue to be used as pawns in the game of international powers.
Since its founding, the ESN faction has been advocating for peace in Europe and an end to the senseless bloodshed in Ukraine. Diplomatic relations must remain possible in all directions, even in times of crisis. Closing one’s eyes to reality and hoping for Ukraine’s victory is not only dangerous but is playing with fire, risking a Third World War."
Brussels/Bucharest, February 26, 2025 – Romanian election winner Călin Georgescu has been arrested, and his election annulled. Under the flimsy pretext of "Russian influence," the EU and Romanian authorities have launched an unprecedented political persecution. Supporters are being intimidated, homes searched, and lawyers prevented from doing their jobs. A fair trial is unthinkable under such conditions.
"The EU has lost all credibility. It is sliding further and further into authoritarianism. Now the Eurocrats are showing their true face: elections are annulled, opposition figures imprisoned – democracy is being trampled on!" criticizes Petr Bystron.
Bystron demands the immediate release of Călin Georgescu and an end to political repression. "The EU must return to democracy. Those who abolish fundamental rights and free elections do not stand for European values but for dictatorship."
LIBE-committee with ESN Group votes down the left-wing political ‘guidelines’ for the 2026 EU-budget
The members of the European Parliament's Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) met on Tuesday February 18 in Brussels.
The members of the Committee were due to vote on a report, drafted by Andrzej Halicki (PPE, Poland), giving the political guidelines to the European Commission for the spending of the huge 2026 EU-budget.
These guidelines are usually approved by the majority, and disapproved by the opposition. However, in a remarkable outcome, the draft report only got 25 votes in favour, with a clear 37 against and 5 abstentions.
With this vote, the so-called ‘old majority’ in the European Parliament lies in shatters.
The ESN MEPs opposed this draft report for several reasons:
• The report calls for continued ‘direct funding to civil society organisations’, while NGOs receive €1.7 billion in European funding every year, and this funding has led to massive corruption scandals;
• The report wants to increase the Union’s support ‘to counter hate speech’, while Europe needs more freedom of speech;
• The report asked to ‘fight the spread of disinformation at a large scale and develop more effective countermeasures’, while this is a pretext for unacceptable censorship against dissident voices and opinions.
The votes of the ESN Group, represented by MEPs Ewa ZAJACZKOWSKA (Konfederacja, Poland), Mary KHAN (AfD, Germany) and Petar VOLGIN (Revival party, Bulgaria) were again crucial in making this strong signal for freedom of speech and a clear stance against mass immigration.
Washington,
February 24, 2025
CPAC 2025 - An ESN delegation visited the Conservative Congress in Washington
Every year since 1974, the Americans have organised a major gathering of conservatives from all over the world. Once again this year, a large number of prominent figures attended the event, in the context of the recent election of Donald Trump. The ESN Group in the European Parliament naturally attended the event and sent a delegation.
Members of the European Parliament from the ESN group were able to listen to President Donald Trump and other high-level speakers. The convention showed that the members of the ESN group share many of the same values as conservatives and patriots from around the world:
People's freedom. A wind of freedom is blowing through Western democracies and the ESN Group fully shares this democratic aspiration. They support messages addressed to the convention by Elon Musk and US Vice-President JD Vance. Both underlined the dangers to freedom of expression in European democracies, which was welcomed by the ESN Group.
The sovereignty of nations. The values of independence, autonomy and sovereignty of nations were also widely reiterated at CPAC. Nigel Farage called on the various nations to remain free and sovereign.
The need to install capable and effective governments. The MEPs of the ESN Group were also able to appreciate the examples set by the President of Argentina, Javier Milei, and the Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, who have succeeded, in their respective countries, in obtaining rapid results that have been acclaimed by their populations.
The will to secure the borders. Finally, the ESN delegation at CPAC listened attentively to new Border Czar of the American administration, Mr Tom Homan, who has achieved spectacular results in 4 weeks, with a 95% drop in illegal entries into the United States.
The MEPs of the ESN Group in the European Parliament came back from this event strengthened in their fight to serve their sovereign nations.
The EU secretly funneled €132.82 million to media outlets across Europe to influence the 2024 European elections, as revealed by Il Fatto Quotidiano on February 11, 2025!
Top officials Ursula von der Leyen and Roberta Metsola, with support from the EU Council, used a framework contract with Havas Media France (Vivendi Group) to distribute funds while keeping recipients and amounts hidden. No transparency, no accountability – just taxpayer money buying EU-friendly news coverage!
Major media like Rai, Mediaset, Sky, Corriere della Sera, and Repubblica were PAID for favorable articles about Brussels. Is this journalism or propaganda?
EU institutions don’t sell products, so why hire an ad agency if not to manipulate the narrative? Democracy demands transparency, not hidden payments to the press!
ESN will demand in the European Parliament full disclosure of all media that benefited from this, and a full investigation to this unprecedented illegal manipulation of the European elections by the EU itself.
This blatant manipulation of public opinion using public funds is a disgrace. Full story by Il Fatto Quotidiano: https://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/.../ben-130.../7872331/..”
The process to revoke the immunity of Italian MEP Ilaria Salis has begun. Today, the left-wing MEP must justify herself before the JURI Committee of the European Parliament regarding violent attacks in Hungary. The resulting report will determine the next steps in the procedure. Salis, elected for the Alleanza Verdi e Sinistra after a lengthy detention in Hungary, is accused of severe hammer attacks on civilians in Hungary.
Mary Khan, MEP of the ESN Group, stated:
“At the time, the video of the hammer attacks on Hungarian civilians shocked all of Europe. We are witnessing a worrying escalation of left-wing violence in many countries. It is even more outrageous when left-wing parties undermine the rule of law by abusing parliamentary immunity to set offenders free. Viktor Orbán is right to demand the revocation of Ilaria Salis' immunity – we support this demand.
Only through decisive action can we prevent political interests from undermining the rule of law and endangering the safety and freedom of our society. Ilaria Salis belongs in prison, not in Parliament.”
Brussels – AfD Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Petr Bystron is calling for an immediate investigation into the activities of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in the European Union. The background to this demand is allegations that USAID sought to influence the 2024 European elections through disinformation campaigns in several EU countries. These allegations are based on revelations by Elon Musk and Donald Trump regarding illegal practices within USAID.
"Trump has done fantastic groundwork; now we must also quickly and comprehensively uncover illegal election interference by foreign states in Europe," said Bystron. He stated that there is a strong suspicion that foreign influence has massively manipulated the composition of the EU Parliament. "The EU must relentlessly combat all forms of hybrid warfare, foreign propaganda, and disinformation."
Bystron criticized the fact that USAID-funded media had deliberately targeted opposition forces. "Our democracy must be protected from foreign influences," said the AfD politician. He argued that it is the responsibility of European institutions to investigate these manipulations and ensure the security of future elections.
The U.S. Agency for International Development is currently facing criticism for allegedly using intelligence funds to influence elections and carry out regime changes worldwide. U.S. President Donald Trump has therefore drastically cut USAID’s budget and placed all employees on leave as of February 7.
Last Wednesday, the ESN Group awarded Tamara Lich with the "Women Fighting for Freedom" prize. Tamara Lich is a Canadian political activist and one of the main organizers of the so-called "Freedom Convoy" in 2022. This protest began as a movement by truck drivers against COVID-19 vaccination mandates and expanded into a broader protest against government measures and restrictions. The AfD Member of the European Parliament in the ESN Group, Christine Anderson, commented:
"It was a great honor for our Group to welcome Mrs. Lich as a guest in Strasbourg and later award her. Tamara Lich embodies the fight against an overbearing state and for the freedom of its citizens like no one else. Even after facing the harshest sanctions from the Canadian government and being arrested during the protests in Ottawa, Tamara Lich did not let herself be intimidated. 'They picked the wrong woman,' says Tamara Lich herself, defiantly. Her courage and commitment are an inspiration to us all."
Carola Rackete loses court case against AfD-Delegation
Carola Rackete, the german Left Party’s top candidate for the European elections, has lost a legal battle against the AfD delegation in the European Parliament at the Berlin Regional Court. Rackete had sued the delegation, seeking to prevent being referred to as a “smuggler.” However, the former captain of the "Sea-Watch" has now lost in court, which ruled that "a certain factual connection" to the term cannot be denied. Markus Buchheit, a Member of the European Parliament from the AfD delegation, commented: "What the AfD has repeatedly emphasized and made public is now legally confirmed. Carola Rackete may be referred to as a smuggler. The activities of so-called sea rescuers cannot be described otherwise. Those who lure refugees into the Mediterranean off the North African coast and then bring them to Europe like a prearranged shuttle service are smugglers! We will do everything in our power to put an end to this criminal activity!"
On migration, the Europe of Sovereign Nations (ESN) group stands for a strict and restrictive migration policy. ESN opposes the centralisation of migration policy by the European Union and believes that responsibility for migration and border management should lie entirely with individual member states. ESN opposes the European redistribution mechanism for refugees and migrants as we believe it undermines the sovereignty of countries and forces us to take in migrants against our will.
ESN sees large-scale migration as a risk to national security, culture and social cohesion and calls for strict border controls and effective protection of Europe's external borders. Furthermore, the group stresses the importance of return policies, whereby migrants without the right of residence are swiftly sent back to their countries of origin. ESN also strongly opposes legal migration programmes at European level and believes that each member state should be able to decide for itself who can or cannot enter its borders.
In a preliminary assessment, the European Commission has accused the platform TikTok of violating European digital regulations. For ESN Member of the European Parliament Mary Khan, one thing is clear: this is not a technocratic concern — it is a targeted attack on digital freedom of expression in Europe. The MEP explained:
“While U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance used the Munich Security Conference to emphatically highlight the limits of illiberal control fantasies to the EU elites, von der Leyen and her allies continue undeterred on their path of acting as a moral censorship authority. Now TikTok is under fire — a platform that many young people value precisely because of its unfiltered content, seeing it as a space for free expression.
The real reason: because parties like the AfD — and many other patriotic movements across Europe — are able to reach millions on TikTok, the Brussels power cartel sees the platform as a thorn in its side. This is no longer about data protection or regulation — it is about total control over information and opinion. Those who think critically are to be silenced.
Free speech is the Achilles’ heel of any liberal order, and today it is being attacked by Brussels under flimsy pretexts. We stand firmly and unconditionally for digital freedom of expression. The European Commission must immediately end its ideologically driven course of censorship.”
The European Court of Justice has reprimanded the EU Commission over the disappearance of text messages between Ursula von der Leyen and Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla regarding the multi-billion euro vaccine deals.
Christine Anderson, Member of the ESN Group, commented as follows:
“Today’s ruling by the EU General Court is a political earthquake in the affair surrounding the secret COVID-19 vaccine contracts. The European Commission violated the right to transparency by refusing access to text messages exchanged between Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and the CEO of Pfizer. The court has now made it clear: the deletion of these messages was unlawful.
This deliberate disregard for legal and transparency obligations cannot go unpunished. Von der Leyen’s personal misconduct is emblematic of a broader institutional failure within the Commission. Both von der Leyen and the Commission must be held accountable. A parliamentary committee of inquiry must now be established – with real powers, including the authority to compel von der Leyen to testify under oath. Only such a process can ensure genuine and comprehensive accountability.
As early as 2023, the European Parliament’s COVID Committee sought to question the Commission President – but she refused to appear. That cannot and must not be the end of the matter.
Those who hold positions of responsibility must not be allowed to evade scrutiny. The EU must now prove that it has learned from this scandal – or it risks permanently losing the trust of its citizens.”
The ESN Group in the European Parliament warmly congratulates Pope Leo XIV on his election and extends its heartfelt wishes for a pontificate marked by blessing and strength. As the spiritual leader of more than one billion Catholics, he assumes a responsibility of historic and global significance.
The co-president of the ESN Group, René Aust, explains:
„Especially in times of societal disorientation, the voice of the Church can serve as a vital compass and anchor.
May Pope Leo XIV, with wisdom, courage, and the help of God, strengthen the bond between faith, truth, and freedom in Europe.
May God protect Pope Leo XIV.“
On May 8, 2025, the European Parliament voted with 371 in favor, 162 against, and 37 abstentions to downgrade the protection status of the wolf across the EU from “strictly protected” to “protected.” This change gives member states greater flexibility to remove problematic animals, provided that the species maintains a favorable conservation status. Support came primarily from agricultural sectors and conservative MEPs, while Greens, WWF, and other animal protection organizations warned of a setback for species conservation. After formal approval by the Council of Ministers, member states will have 18 months to transpose the change into national law.
Commenting on this, Anja Arndt, MEP of the ESN Group, stated:
“With this decision, Parliament is finally addressing the real challenges faced in our rural regions. We are giving member states a flexible tool to take the legitimate concerns of livestock farmers seriously, without demonizing the wolf across the board. The downgrading of the protection status is a welcome step, especially for farming operations and alpine pastoralism. At last, a path is being cleared to protect grazing animals, family-run farms, and tourism from increasing attacks.
Once again, the voting behavior of the Greens reveals their detachment from reality: ideological dogmas are being placed above the existential fears of people in rural areas.
Now Berlin must act immediately and use this new flexibility to grant uncomplicated shooting permits for problem wolves. The announced 18-month period must not be used as an excuse to delay action.”
Today, the European Parliament was scheduled to decide whether to extend the trade protection measures suspended since 2022 for certain Ukrainian products — including steel — once again. Critics fear that the tariff-free import regime continues to undermine the competitiveness of European farmers, steel companies, and small and medium-sized enterprises. An open letter from the Steel Pipe Industry Association (WVSR) to all Members of the European Parliament warns of “disastrous consequences” for EU industry and urges rejection of the extension.
The Europe of Sovereign Nations (ESN) Group has therefore submitted a procedural motion to postpone the vote in order to allow for a more in-depth assessment of the economic impact. ESN MEP Prof. Dr. Hans Neuhoff stated:
“We have requested that the planned vote on further tariff suspensions for imports from Ukraine be postponed. Otherwise, our domestic economy — from family-run farms to medium-sized industries and the steel sector — would come under massive pressure.
Ukraine produces with dumping wages and without comparable environmental or social standards. If their goods continue to enter the EU unchecked, we risk jobs and value creation across Europe.
The open letter from the Steel Pipe Industry Association clearly highlights these concerns. We reacted quickly and took the concerns of small and medium-sized enterprises seriously. Unfortunately, many MEPs — particularly from the usual camps of the traditional parties — once again prioritized the interests of Ukraine over those of their own nations. The necessary votes to approve our motion for postponement were not secured — yet another nail in the coffin for the German economy.”
On May 6, 2025, the Europe of Sovereign Nations (ESN) Group, meeting in Strasbourg, unanimously welcomed the candidacy of Mr Volker Schnurrbusch, who becomes the 27th member of the ESN Group.
Volker Schnurrbusch is a German Member of the European Parliament and a member of Alternative für Deutschland (AFD). He joined the European Parliament at the beginning of April 2025 and has sat until now as a non-attached Member.
This is the second expansion of the ESN Group in less than six months, following the integration of Milan Mazurek in January 2025.
It has been officially confirmed today: The request to establish a committee of inquiry into the EU Commission's vaccine contracts — in particular the controversial Pfizer deals under Ursula von der Leyen — has reached the required 180 supporters in the European Parliament. The request, titled “TRAC – Transparency and Accountability,” will now be submitted to the Conference of Presidents for further decision in accordance with Article 215 of the Rules of Procedure.
The planned committee is intended to thoroughly investigate:
• the EU Commission’s vaccine negotiations, particularly the personal SMS communications between the Commission President and Pfizer,
• alleged corruption cases such as Qatargate and Huaweigate,
• as well as the influence exerted by non-governmental organizations funded by the Commission.
Christine Anderson, Member of the European Parliament for the ESN Group, stated:
“One of my key priorities during this legislative term has been the review of COVID-19 policies, especially regarding vaccine procurement. Citizens have a right to know how multi-billion euro contracts with liability waivers could be concluded via text message. This committee will shine a light on the dark corners of corruption within the Commission — not only in relation to vaccines but also concerning the influence of Chinese companies and Gulf states.
Now it is up to the European Christian Democrats, Social Democrats, Greens, and Leftists to decide whether they will heed our call for transparency, accountability, and political responsibility — or continue to beat the drum of so-called transparency while failing to act themselves.
My special thanks go to the Patriots for Europe group, who contributed greatly to mobilizing support and bringing this issue firmly onto the agenda. Together, we now demand: full transparency, thorough investigation, and political accountability regarding external influence, conflicts of interest, and possible legal violations within the EU institutions.”
The European Commission has presented plans aiming to completely end Russian gas imports by 2027 at the latest. In two phases, the short-term trade of Russian gas on the spot market will be prohibited starting at the end of 2025, and the signing of new contracts will also be banned. By the end of 2027, no gas at all should be imported from Russia into the EU.
Anja Arndt expresses strong criticism of this initiative. From her perspective, it is a morally motivated but inconsistent approach, as liquefied natural gas (LNG) from countries like the USA or Qatar is still being imported. According to Arndt, this fuel is not only more expensive but also especially harmful to the environment due to the energy-intensive liquefaction process and long-distance transport. She also warns of increasing dependence on new energy suppliers and criticizes the burden on consumers due to high energy prices.
The ESN Member of the European Parliament, Anja Arndt, comments:
“The EU talks about climate protection and dependencies – while creating new dependencies on global corporations and third countries, as domestic industries are brought to their knees.
This policy harms Germany twice: economically and ecologically. The pipeline infrastructure, which was reliable, efficient, and costly, is being sacrificed for ideological reasons. Instead of rational energy policy, we get green planned economy and EU double standards. Anyone who truly wants to represent German interests and protect the environment must decisively oppose this madness”
A request has been filed to lift the parliamentary immunity of AfD Member of the European Parliament Petr Bystron. The investigations are based on allegations for which, despite 21 house searches, no credible evidence has been presented so far. The AfD delegation considers the process politically motivated and sees it as an attempt to discredit a committed European politician. On this matter, ESN Group MEP Petr Bystron himself declares:
"The planned withdrawal of my immunity is not a procedure in accordance with the rule of law, but a targeted political maneuver. The fact that 21 searches have not yielded a single substantial piece of evidence illustrates the baselessness of the accusations. We are witnessing a coordinated campaign to criminalize my peace-oriented views. While in the USA under President Trump, destabilization networks such as USAID are being uncovered and curtailed, the EU is actively participating in the persecution of opposition voices.
The public prosecutor should not investigate the victims of this campaign, but its masterminds. I stand for peace, freedom of expression, and an independent judiciary. Germany must return to democracy and the rule of law."
On April 28, 2025, an unprecedented power outage occurred across the entire Iberian Peninsula. Millions of people in Spain and Portugal were left without electricity for hours. The cause was the high proportion of solar power in the Spanish energy grid.
Markus Buchheit, Member of the European Parliament from the ESN Group, commented:
"The blackout in Spain and Portugal is a wake-up call for all of Europe. The energy transition must not come at the expense of supply security. Supply security and system stability must be top priorities. Ideological considerations must not be placed above the fundamental need for a secure power supply. From our point of view, it is therefore urgently necessary to thoroughly and promptly review grid stability and existing reserve capacities in Germany and Europe to identify potential weaknesses early and minimize the risk of widespread blackouts. Only with flexible and controllable large-scale power plants can we ensure that the power system functions reliably, even with highly fluctuating input from renewable energy sources, and that peak loads can be safely absorbed."
ESN MEP Anja Arndt added:
"The excessive expansion of wind and solar energy is directly responsible for this blackout and must be stopped immediately in our country as well. We need to return to a reliable, baseload-capable energy supply – for the safety of our citizens in Germany and the entire European Union."
The European Parliament operates 15 “Experience Europe” centres in which it promotes itself as an institution. The investment costs exceed €110 million, with a further €18 million in annual running costs. Another 14 centres are planned, meaning the total expenditure will rise sharply. These figures emerged from a parliamentary question submitted by AfD MEP Alexander Jungbluth.
The ESN-group budget spokesman commented:
“It is outrageous how the EU squanders taxpayers’ money to put itself in the spotlight. While constantly telling citizens they need to tighten their belts, the ladies and gentlemen in Brussels and Strasbourg treat themselves to luxurious self-glorification temples at taxpayers’ expense. The fact that President Metsola answered my question only after several reminders shows she fears the public’s reaction. I will continue to make sure that citizens learn about the European Parliament’s drastic waste of taxes for propaganda purposes.”
The ESN Group firmly rejected the European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP), adopted last Thursday in the Committees on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) and on Security and Defence (SEDE). The Group voted unanimously against the report, which passed with 70 votes in favour, 46 against, and 8 abstentions.
From the ESN’s perspective, the EDIP violates the principle of national sovereignty and leads to further centralisation of defence policy at EU level. The planned increase in national contributions and the obligation to conduct joint procurement — with the goal of achieving at least 40 per cent of military procurement jointly by 2030 — undermine Member States’ freedom of decision and place an additional burden of €1.5 billion on national budgets via the EU budget. While the introduction of a “Buy European” principle, requiring 70 per cent of value creation within the EU, is welcome in principle, it is not sufficient to protect the interests of individual nations.
The ESN Group also criticises the integration of Ukraine into the European defence industry as risky and politically motivated. Rather than further communitisation, the ESN Group calls for a consistent strengthening of national defence industries and a return to a policy of national responsibility.
Markus Buchheit, Member of the European Parliament for the ESN Group, stated:
“The security of Europe is the responsibility of sovereign nation-states, not the Brussels bureaucracy. The EDIP is another step towards a European army, which we firmly reject. We stand for national sovereignty, democratic oversight, and a responsible defence policy to ensure the safety of our citizens.
The ESN Group will continue to advocate for the preservation of sovereignty and the interests of Europe’s nations."
A 15-year-old student killed a 17-year-old female classmate with a hunting knife and seriously injured three other students at a Catholic high school in Nantes. A teacher reportedly managed to overpower him with a table. According to media reports, shortly before the attack, the suspected perpetrator sent a 13-page manifesto titled "Immune Action" to his classmates, in which he denounced environmental destruction, social alienation, and "totalitarian social conditioning." He called for a "biological revolt" — even at the cost of innocent lives.
Commenting on this, Anja Arndt, Member of the European Parliament from the ESN Group, stated:
"The climate hysteria, also propagated by the European Parliament, is causing more and more young people to despair. The number of depressed young people is skyrocketing. The BARMER health insurance company, together with the SINUS Institute, conducted a study to examine 'the effects of climate change' on the mental health of young people. The results show that climate anxiety is now widespread among adolescents. 36% of surveyed young people reported experiencing severe anxiety about climate change (levels 8–10 on a ten-point scale), while another 27% reported moderate anxiety (levels 6–7). Only 16% stated that they had no anxiety (levels 1–3).
It is not alleged climate fluctuations that frighten our young people, but the irresponsible reporting by the media and misleading statements by politicians. Climate policy, which often is not based on scientific facts but rather on green-left ideology and fearmongering, unsettles and burdens our citizens. It not only leads to poverty and illness but also fosters the emergence of more climate extremists in the long term. In France, this climate hysteria has now even led to a rampage with dead and injured.
No one can have an interest in seeing our young people further frightened, unsettled, or even radicalized by this green-left ideology. We, the ESN Group in the European Parliament, say: Enough with irresponsible climate policy! Enough with the Green Deal!"
AfD Member of the European Parliament Petr Bystron visited imprisoned British activist Tommy Robinson yesterday at Woodhill Prison. Robinson has repeatedly faced repression due to his documentaries critical of Islam.
"Tommy Robinson is a political prisoner. He was convicted for distributing his video 'Silencer', even though several witnesses confirmed the truthfulness of the video in court. Robinson was imprisoned because he refused to withdraw the video. That is true civil courage! Despite this unjust treatment and the grueling conditions of solitary confinement, Robinson remains steadfast and intends to continue his fight for freedom of speech even after his release.
In doing so, he is also fighting for us, because the growing restrictions on freedom of speech across Europe have reached alarming levels. Just like in the UK, opposition figures and government-critical journalists are being suppressed and persecuted in the EU as well — the imprisonment of the blogger Shlomo and the suspended seven-month prison sentence for the editor-in-chief of Deutschland Kurier, David Bendels, for a satirical post, are just the latest examples from Germany.
In the European Parliament, we are fighting to ensure that voices like Tommy Robinson's are heard. We will not forget these individuals and will continue to advocate for the defense of freedom of speech and the depoliticization of the judiciary."
The European Commission is planning to introduce an annual mandatory inspection for all cars older than ten years. The aim of this measure is to improve road safety. However, the proposal still needs to be approved by the European Parliament and the EU member states before it can come into effect. Regarding this, ESN MEP Siegbert Droese stated:
"This proposal is yet another attack on the freedom and prosperity of our citizens. Instead of providing relief, it imposes an additional financial burden. Those who cannot afford a new car will be the ones punished by this measure.
It is unacceptable that the European Commission continues to harass citizens with ever more regulations and restrict individual mobility. Existing regulations are sufficient — this is a blatant attempt to push a green agenda under the guise of road safety and to further restrict individual mobility.
We call on the EU institutions to immediately withdraw this proposal, and we will vote against this senseless initiative in Parliament."
According to a response to a parliamentary question by MEP Alexander Jungbluth, the EU refuses to repatriate Syrian refugees to their home country.
Commenting on this, Alexander Jungbluth, Member of the European Parliament for the ESN Group, states:
“It took the EU Commission a full four months to respond to my inquiry. And the answer is sobering! Despite the regime change in Syria and the disappearance of the original grounds for fleeing the Assad government, the EU is not planning any repatriations.
For the EU, it apparently makes no difference whether an asylum seeker still has valid grounds for protection or not. The asylum system continues to serve only one purpose: to flood the EU with largely unqualified and culturally alien migrants. Once again, this response shows that the EU has no real interest in ending mass migration in the interest of its own citizens.”
The EU Commission plans to ease key elements of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and promises to reduce bureaucracy for European farmers. What may seem like a course correction at first glance is, in reality, an admission of political failure.
Arno Bausemer, Member of the European Parliament for the ESN Group and member of the Agriculture Committee, explains:
“For years, the Commission has systematically destroyed European agriculture through overregulation. Countless farmers have had to give up their farms – not due to a lack of performance, but because of an ideologically driven agricultural policy from Brussels. Now, the Commission is being tripped up by its own policies. The fact that measures such as GAEC standards are now to be watered down shows just how misguided the previous course was.
Despite the planned relief measures, the Commission’s overall direction remains questionable. Even the Directorate-General itself warns of the loss of oversight capabilities, and ideologically motivated climate regulations continue to play a central role in the agricultural sector.
Questionable steps such as the proposed tariffs on fertilizer imports from Russia further demonstrate that the EU Commission is not genuinely concerned with safeguarding European agriculture. Our farmers depend on this affordable fertilizer to maintain their competitiveness and must no longer be used as pawns in senseless political proxy wars.
Tinkering with a few minor adjustments is not enough when the ideological foundation remains intact. As long as climate ideology takes precedence over practical solutions, nothing will fundamentally change for Europe’s farmers.”
The EU has approved an aid package worth 1.6 billion euros for the Palestinian Authority. The funds are intended to support reforms, reconstruction, and administrative structures in the region, particularly in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The EU emphasizes that the money is tied to a willingness to reform — but no concrete conditions have been specified. Commenting on this, Alexander Jungbluth, MEP from the ESN group, states:
“Widespread corruption, barely functioning administration, and areas partly controlled by the radical Islamist Hamas — that’s where the EU wants to send 1.6 billion euros of European taxpayer money.
How the money will actually be used is almost impossible to monitor or even track transparently. While the EU talks about necessary reforms, it remains vague beyond that. As a general rule, aid to foreign countries should always be tied to the concept of remigration — in this case, the return of criminal and deportable Palestinians from Europe. That would actually be of help to Europe!”
The European Commission has launched a four-week public consultation to update its “Nuclear Illustrative Programme” (PNIC). The goal is to present a revised strategic document in the second quarter, outlining future investment needs in the European nuclear sector. The focus includes the construction of new reactors, lifetime extensions for existing plants, the management of radioactive waste, and the development of new technologies such as Small Modular Reactors and nuclear fusion. The backdrop to this initiative is the renewed interest in nuclear power among many EU member states.
Markus Buchheit, Member of the European Parliament from the ESN Group, comments:
“Even the European Commission – usually responsible for climate-ideological experiments like the Green Deal – is now backing the expansion of nuclear energy. Meanwhile, Germany continues on its isolated and ideologically driven path of phasing out nuclear power. This is not only disconnected from reality – it is extremely dangerous for our economic competitiveness.
The EU rightly recognizes that nuclear energy is an indispensable pillar for affordable, stable, and low-carbon electricity supply. New reactors, new technologies, more research, and targeted investments: other European countries are preparing for the future. And Germany? It is the only industrialized nation to completely shut down its functioning nuclear power plants – despite skyrocketing electricity prices, growing dependence on energy imports, and clear risks to energy security and the economy.
This ideological refusal to face reality harms not only the German people but also massively undermines our economic competitiveness. It is high time that Berlin wakes up: without nuclear energy, there can be no secure, independent, or future-proof energy supply – neither in Germany nor anywhere else.
We call on the German government to stop denying reality, reverse the nuclear phase-out, and finally act in a technologically open and responsible manner.”
The case of the rejected Eritrean asylum seeker Kahlid O., currently the subject of media attention, once again raises questions about German asylum policy. Despite entering via safe third countries and having his asylum application rejected, he committed several criminal offenses. After serving a prison sentence and receiving release payments, he reoffended. Deportation is currently considered unlikely, as Eritrea refuses to provide identification. The man is now receiving psychiatric treatment at the state's expense and remains in Germany. Regarding this, ESN parliamentary group MEP Mary Khan states:
“Countries like Eritrea have received millions of euros in aid payments from the European Union for years, yet refuse to take back their rejected nationals once their asylum claims are denied.
Germany must immediately part ways with the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act! Asylum seekers should no longer receive monetary benefits but should instead only receive in-kind benefits for the duration of their procedures.
As long as the federal government is not willing to act, benefits for rejected asylum seekers must be suspended, foreign remittances to their countries of origin must be immediately banned, and pressure on countries of origin must be increased by suspending aid payments.
Countries like Eritrea that actively prevent the return of rejected asylum seekers must no longer be rewarded for their behavior.”
According to plans by the EU’s chief diplomat Kaja Kallas, €40 billion are to be allocated for the continued armament of Ukrainian armed forces. Her proposal includes joint financing based on a distribution key that takes into account the gross national income of each EU member state. Following the latest Russian attacks, the proposal is once again gaining attention among several member states.
MEP Petr Bystron of the ESN group commented:
“The EU wants to finance the Ukrainian war machinery with another €40 billion – and Germany is supposed to pay for it. Under Ms. Kallas's distribution key, Germany would bear the lion’s share, meaning German taxpayers would be disproportionately burdened. We reject that. Instead of Germany supplying money for ammunition and prolonging the dying, we as the AfD delegation are calling for a diplomatic solution. Not a single additional euro of German taxpayer money should go to Ukraine!
This is all the more true now that the United States under President Trump is advocating for a negotiated solution to the conflict. It is disturbing that the EU so stubbornly refuses to recognize the signs of the times and contribute to a diplomatic resolution of the conflict.”
The European Court of Auditors criticizes the lack of transparency in the allocation of EU funding to non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Between 2021 and 2023, NGOs received around 7.4 billion euros, with 4.8 billion euros coming directly from the EU Commission. The report points out that there is no clear overview of how these funds are used, especially regarding lobbying activities and adherence to EU values by the NGOs. Additionally, there is no consistent definition of NGOs, further hindering transparency.
EU Member of Parliament Mary Khan of the ESN Group states:
"What has been uncovered here is a scandal: Left-wing networks are being funded with billions to push the ideological goals of the EU Commission and national governments – far from any democratic accountability.
The allocation of these funds is happening without any transparency and in the billions. The EU Commission repeatedly positions itself as a moral compass while harshly criticizing states that oppose it. However, the reality is quite the opposite. The EU Commission operates far from any democratic rules, as the latest report from the European Court of Auditors reveals.
As part of the ESN Group, we have made it our mission to expose this swamp. Whether this new scandal is just the tip of the iceberg remains to be seen. We will certainly continue to dig deeper."
The response from the European Commission to a written question by ESN Member of the European Parliament Mary Khan is sobering. Mary Khan wanted to know the financial burden in the areas of healthcare, housing, education, security, and social welfare. Instead of answers, she received vague phrases and ignorance. Mary Khan comments:
“‘We don’t know – and we don’t want to know.’ These words sum up the response of the European Commission and Commissioner Magnus Brunner briefly and clearly.”
Apparently, Brussels fears the political explosive power of honest figures. Every year, hundreds of thousands of illegal migrants enter the EU – yet no one wants to know what this costs. Those who don’t count, don’t have to take responsibility. And those who don’t measure, can gloss over everything. The refusal to provide any transparency is a slap in the face to European taxpayers.
I therefore call for an independent, country-specific, and transparent cost analysis of illegal migration. Anyone who wants to talk about migration must also talk about its consequences – honestly, based on data, and without ideological filters. Anything else is political window dressing at the expense of the citizens.
The ESN Group has submitted a motion for a European Parliament resolution calling for a strong and united response to what it sees as Germany’s departure from financial stability. The initiative highlights concerns over Germany’s use of “Sondervermögen” (special funds) and its potential impact on EU fiscal rules and overall economic stability.
Alexander Jungbluth, Member of the European Parliament for the ESN Group and member of the BUDG Committee, stated:
“The debt binge we are currently witnessing in Germany endangers not only the country’s own stability but also that of the entire European financial system. That’s why, together with the European Parliament, we are calling on the Commission to take action to ensure that the Federal Republic of Germany complies with existing EU law and stops violating the Maastricht criteria.
If the European Parliament wants to maintain its credibility when it comes to upholding European rules and laws, our resolution must be taken seriously and negotiated across party lines. There can only be one conclusion: under the leadership of Friedrich Merz, the German government is not only jeopardizing the future of its own citizens and generations to come, but also playing with the financial and economic security of the entire Eurozone.”
Siegbert Droese (ESN/AfD), Member of the European Parliament, strongly criticises the proposed EU directive on driving licence reform as well as the directive on licence withdrawal, calling them bureaucratic and patronising. As shadow rapporteur for both proposals, he took part in the negotiations and warns of the consequences for citizens and Member States – despite the ESN Group’s efforts in both trilogues to tone down the drafts:
“Under the guise of road safety, the EU aimed to push through far-reaching interference in national traffic policy. However, many of the directive’s absurd proposals – such as mandatory medical checks for seniors only, age-based speed limits, or bans on SUVs and night driving for novice drivers – were successfully blocked in negotiations thanks to the centre-right majority.
In the talks on the licence withdrawal directive, we also managed to remove the originally planned EU-wide points system. This proves that resistance to excessive EU regulation can be successful.
Still, the proposed rules remain deeply problematic, representing yet another disproportionate infringement on national sovereignty – at the expense of citizens and with no real benefit to road safety.
What we need is pragmatic transport policy that ensures safety with common sense – not more red tape and top-down control from Brussels.”
A new report reveals how the European Commission is indirectly shaping public opinion through the funding of non-governmental organisations (NGOs). According to the investigation, this has led to the creation of a dense network that promotes political narratives aligned with the EU – all without public transparency. These revelations raise serious questions about the political neutrality and democratic legitimacy of this practice.
Mary Khan, Member of the European Parliament for the ESN Group, stated:
“What the EU calls ‘value promotion’ is nothing more than a massive propaganda machine, funded with millions in taxpayer money, designed to manipulate public opinion. Whether in Georgia, Bulgaria, or Romania – we see the destructive influence of the European Union everywhere: the division into ‘good’ and ‘bad’, and targeted interference in elections and political processes.
The recent revelations about the EU Commission’s covert funding of NGOs confirm what the AfD has been warning about for years: taxpayer money is being used to support organisations that spread government-aligned narratives and suppress critical voices. This network undermines democratic plurality of opinion and serves as an indirect propaganda tool of Brussels.
As AfD and ESN, we demand full transparency regarding financial flows and an end to political influence by so-called independent actors. The new U.S. administration is setting an example by dismantling similar projects on its own soil.”
The European Commission has presented its Defence White Paper alongside the €800 billion rearmament programme Rearm Europe. A central element of this strategy is the mobilisation of private savings through the so-called Savings and Investment Union (SIU) to boost investments in the defence industry. The aim is to strengthen Europe’s defence capabilities and continue support for Ukraine.
Alexander Jungbluth, Member of the European Parliament for the ESN Group, commented:
“First, the German EU Commission President von der Leyen calls for billions in European rearmament without any mandate – and now she wants to get her hands on the savings of European citizens. For years, our money has already been handed out in the form of tax contributions to Ukraine without any oversight or transparency.
But these latest demands mark a new peak: The EU not only seeks to further limit national sovereignty but now wants to redirect individual citizens’ savings into investments for the war economy.
With this, the European Commission is increasingly and openly beating the drum for a ‘total war’ in Ukraine.
As the AfD delegation, we stand for the exact opposite of this EU – for peace, the preservation of cash, national sovereignty, and the right of savers to use their money as they see fit. Not a single cent more must go to Ukraine!”
Once again, the European Parliament is hit by a corruption scandal. Dozens of private residences have been searched across several member states, offices within the European Parliament have been sealed and investigated, and MEPs and their assistants are implicated. Our MEP, Mary Khan, a member of the JURI Committee, stated:
"For the ESN Group, this comes as no surprise. Corruption is not an 'incident'; it is a core element of how the European Parliament operates.
The root of the problem lies in the EP-Bureau, where decisions are made—without any public transparency—regarding the European Parliament's staggering annual budget of 2 billion euros. Elected MEPs from ESN and Patriots have been deliberately excluded from this process.
Millions are wasted on shady real estate projects worldwide, including the purchase and rental of excessively expensive and unnecessary properties in Paris, London, and Washington, with recently planned acquisitions even in Kyiv and Moldova."
The lifting of immunity for the MEPs implicated in this latest corruption scandal will be handled by the JURI Committee. Recently, left-wing MEPs used procedural tricks to delay the removal of immunity for Italian communist MEP Ilaria Salis, who is being prosecuted in Hungary for Antifa-related terrorist attacks. Mary Khan has already warned against similar procedural maneuvers:
"We will not tolerate any further attempts by MEPs in JURI to delay the lifting of immunity for those involved in this corruption scandal. Their immunity must be revoked immediately, without delay, so that justice can take its proper course."
The Romanian presidential candidate Călin Georgescu is no longer allowed to run in the Romanian elections. This decision was made by the central electoral office in Bucharest. Georgescu had unexpectedly won the first round of the presidential elections in November 2024. Shortly before the runoff election, the Constitutional Court annulled the first round.
AfD Member of the European Parliament Petr Bystron commented:
"The EU country Romania is swiftly abolishing democracy and is receiving support from Brussels. The annulment of the first election alone is a blatant scandal and a disgrace for the country. In the new elections, Georgescu would have likely won even more decisively – which is why they are now trying to prevent him from running altogether.
Additionally, there is an effort to damage Georgescu by all means: absurd accusations from the press and the judiciary, arrests, and the undermining of free elections.
What is happening in Romania is a disgrace for the EU – which is not only watching with a smile but also actively pulling the strings in the background. The EU is revealing its true face: While violent demonstrators are being supported against the legitimately elected government in Georgia, an attempted coup is underway in Romania.
The final decision of the Constitutional Court is still pending on Wednesday – a court that already annulled the first election on flimsy grounds. The AfD delegation strongly condemns the developments in Romania. Our political vision is a free and sovereign Europe of nations, in which the will of the people is respected."
The German EU MP of the ESN faction, Markus Buchheit (AfD), responds to EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s proposal to postpone the tightening of CO₂ fleet limits:
"The increasingly rigid fleet limits for car manufacturers are making the production of internal combustion engine vehicles ever more unprofitable. This is equivalent to a de facto ban on combustion engines. To keep our automotive industry internationally competitive, we do not just need a postponement of the tightening of fleet limits, but an end to them altogether."
Buchheit sees the fleet limits and the ban on new registrations of internal combustion engine vehicles in the EU from 2035 as primarily an ideologically driven attack on individual mobility – to the detriment of citizens' prosperity and freedom.
"The European automotive industry is falling further and further behind manufacturers, particularly from China. The main reason for this is, among other things, the absurd political coercion and the ever-increasing politically induced disadvantages of location. However, European prosperity depends significantly on the performance of the European automotive industry. With these overreaching regulations, the EU is ultimately sawing off the very branch it is sitting on," Buchheit concludes.
At a government summit in London, Ursula von der Leyen called for a "massive armament" of Ukraine. To achieve this, the EU must increase defense investments over an extended period. This means that further billions will flow into Ukraine’s war preparations.
In response, Alexander Sell, MP of the ESN faction, stated:
"This EU still has not understood the signs of the times. In Europe, citizens long for peace and stability. Von der Leyen's warlike stance is completely detached from the interests of the people in Ukraine and Europe.
While the United States is engaging in dialogue with Russia and has taken a seat at the negotiating table, the EU Commission—especially under the leadership of German Commission President Ursula von der Leyen—is calling for a continuation of the bloodshed in the East.
This war must finally come to an end. It is unacceptable that this conflict is being prolonged with multi-billion aid packages at the expense of European taxpayers, while the people on the ground continue to be used as pawns in the game of international powers.
Since its founding, the ESN faction has been advocating for peace in Europe and an end to the senseless bloodshed in Ukraine. Diplomatic relations must remain possible in all directions, even in times of crisis. Closing one’s eyes to reality and hoping for Ukraine’s victory is not only dangerous but is playing with fire, risking a Third World War."
Brussels/Bucharest, February 26, 2025 – Romanian election winner Călin Georgescu has been arrested, and his election annulled. Under the flimsy pretext of "Russian influence," the EU and Romanian authorities have launched an unprecedented political persecution. Supporters are being intimidated, homes searched, and lawyers prevented from doing their jobs. A fair trial is unthinkable under such conditions.
"The EU has lost all credibility. It is sliding further and further into authoritarianism. Now the Eurocrats are showing their true face: elections are annulled, opposition figures imprisoned – democracy is being trampled on!" criticizes Petr Bystron.
Bystron demands the immediate release of Călin Georgescu and an end to political repression. "The EU must return to democracy. Those who abolish fundamental rights and free elections do not stand for European values but for dictatorship."
LIBE-committee with ESN Group votes down the left-wing political ‘guidelines’ for the 2026 EU-budget
The members of the European Parliament's Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) met on Tuesday February 18 in Brussels.
The members of the Committee were due to vote on a report, drafted by Andrzej Halicki (PPE, Poland), giving the political guidelines to the European Commission for the spending of the huge 2026 EU-budget.
These guidelines are usually approved by the majority, and disapproved by the opposition. However, in a remarkable outcome, the draft report only got 25 votes in favour, with a clear 37 against and 5 abstentions.
With this vote, the so-called ‘old majority’ in the European Parliament lies in shatters.
The ESN MEPs opposed this draft report for several reasons:
• The report calls for continued ‘direct funding to civil society organisations’, while NGOs receive €1.7 billion in European funding every year, and this funding has led to massive corruption scandals;
• The report wants to increase the Union’s support ‘to counter hate speech’, while Europe needs more freedom of speech;
• The report asked to ‘fight the spread of disinformation at a large scale and develop more effective countermeasures’, while this is a pretext for unacceptable censorship against dissident voices and opinions.
The votes of the ESN Group, represented by MEPs Ewa ZAJACZKOWSKA (Konfederacja, Poland), Mary KHAN (AfD, Germany) and Petar VOLGIN (Revival party, Bulgaria) were again crucial in making this strong signal for freedom of speech and a clear stance against mass immigration.
Washington,
February 24, 2025
CPAC 2025 - An ESN delegation visited the Conservative Congress in Washington
Every year since 1974, the Americans have organised a major gathering of conservatives from all over the world. Once again this year, a large number of prominent figures attended the event, in the context of the recent election of Donald Trump. The ESN Group in the European Parliament naturally attended the event and sent a delegation.
Members of the European Parliament from the ESN group were able to listen to President Donald Trump and other high-level speakers. The convention showed that the members of the ESN group share many of the same values as conservatives and patriots from around the world:
People's freedom. A wind of freedom is blowing through Western democracies and the ESN Group fully shares this democratic aspiration. They support messages addressed to the convention by Elon Musk and US Vice-President JD Vance. Both underlined the dangers to freedom of expression in European democracies, which was welcomed by the ESN Group.
The sovereignty of nations. The values of independence, autonomy and sovereignty of nations were also widely reiterated at CPAC. Nigel Farage called on the various nations to remain free and sovereign.
The need to install capable and effective governments. The MEPs of the ESN Group were also able to appreciate the examples set by the President of Argentina, Javier Milei, and the Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, who have succeeded, in their respective countries, in obtaining rapid results that have been acclaimed by their populations.
The will to secure the borders. Finally, the ESN delegation at CPAC listened attentively to new Border Czar of the American administration, Mr Tom Homan, who has achieved spectacular results in 4 weeks, with a 95% drop in illegal entries into the United States.
The MEPs of the ESN Group in the European Parliament came back from this event strengthened in their fight to serve their sovereign nations.
The EU secretly funneled €132.82 million to media outlets across Europe to influence the 2024 European elections, as revealed by Il Fatto Quotidiano on February 11, 2025!
Top officials Ursula von der Leyen and Roberta Metsola, with support from the EU Council, used a framework contract with Havas Media France (Vivendi Group) to distribute funds while keeping recipients and amounts hidden. No transparency, no accountability – just taxpayer money buying EU-friendly news coverage!
Major media like Rai, Mediaset, Sky, Corriere della Sera, and Repubblica were PAID for favorable articles about Brussels. Is this journalism or propaganda?
EU institutions don’t sell products, so why hire an ad agency if not to manipulate the narrative? Democracy demands transparency, not hidden payments to the press!
ESN will demand in the European Parliament full disclosure of all media that benefited from this, and a full investigation to this unprecedented illegal manipulation of the European elections by the EU itself.
This blatant manipulation of public opinion using public funds is a disgrace. Full story by Il Fatto Quotidiano: https://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/.../ben-130.../7872331/..”
The process to revoke the immunity of Italian MEP Ilaria Salis has begun. Today, the left-wing MEP must justify herself before the JURI Committee of the European Parliament regarding violent attacks in Hungary. The resulting report will determine the next steps in the procedure. Salis, elected for the Alleanza Verdi e Sinistra after a lengthy detention in Hungary, is accused of severe hammer attacks on civilians in Hungary.
Mary Khan, MEP of the ESN Group, stated:
“At the time, the video of the hammer attacks on Hungarian civilians shocked all of Europe. We are witnessing a worrying escalation of left-wing violence in many countries. It is even more outrageous when left-wing parties undermine the rule of law by abusing parliamentary immunity to set offenders free. Viktor Orbán is right to demand the revocation of Ilaria Salis' immunity – we support this demand.
Only through decisive action can we prevent political interests from undermining the rule of law and endangering the safety and freedom of our society. Ilaria Salis belongs in prison, not in Parliament.”
Brussels – AfD Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Petr Bystron is calling for an immediate investigation into the activities of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in the European Union. The background to this demand is allegations that USAID sought to influence the 2024 European elections through disinformation campaigns in several EU countries. These allegations are based on revelations by Elon Musk and Donald Trump regarding illegal practices within USAID.
"Trump has done fantastic groundwork; now we must also quickly and comprehensively uncover illegal election interference by foreign states in Europe," said Bystron. He stated that there is a strong suspicion that foreign influence has massively manipulated the composition of the EU Parliament. "The EU must relentlessly combat all forms of hybrid warfare, foreign propaganda, and disinformation."
Bystron criticized the fact that USAID-funded media had deliberately targeted opposition forces. "Our democracy must be protected from foreign influences," said the AfD politician. He argued that it is the responsibility of European institutions to investigate these manipulations and ensure the security of future elections.
The U.S. Agency for International Development is currently facing criticism for allegedly using intelligence funds to influence elections and carry out regime changes worldwide. U.S. President Donald Trump has therefore drastically cut USAID’s budget and placed all employees on leave as of February 7.
Last Wednesday, the ESN Group awarded Tamara Lich with the "Women Fighting for Freedom" prize. Tamara Lich is a Canadian political activist and one of the main organizers of the so-called "Freedom Convoy" in 2022. This protest began as a movement by truck drivers against COVID-19 vaccination mandates and expanded into a broader protest against government measures and restrictions. The AfD Member of the European Parliament in the ESN Group, Christine Anderson, commented:
"It was a great honor for our Group to welcome Mrs. Lich as a guest in Strasbourg and later award her. Tamara Lich embodies the fight against an overbearing state and for the freedom of its citizens like no one else. Even after facing the harshest sanctions from the Canadian government and being arrested during the protests in Ottawa, Tamara Lich did not let herself be intimidated. 'They picked the wrong woman,' says Tamara Lich herself, defiantly. Her courage and commitment are an inspiration to us all."
Carola Rackete loses court case against AfD-Delegation
Carola Rackete, the german Left Party’s top candidate for the European elections, has lost a legal battle against the AfD delegation in the European Parliament at the Berlin Regional Court. Rackete had sued the delegation, seeking to prevent being referred to as a “smuggler.” However, the former captain of the "Sea-Watch" has now lost in court, which ruled that "a certain factual connection" to the term cannot be denied. Markus Buchheit, a Member of the European Parliament from the AfD delegation, commented: "What the AfD has repeatedly emphasized and made public is now legally confirmed. Carola Rackete may be referred to as a smuggler. The activities of so-called sea rescuers cannot be described otherwise. Those who lure refugees into the Mediterranean off the North African coast and then bring them to Europe like a prearranged shuttle service are smugglers! We will do everything in our power to put an end to this criminal activity!"
On migration, the Europe of Sovereign Nations (ESN) group stands for a strict and restrictive migration policy. ESN opposes the centralisation of migration policy by the European Union and believes that responsibility for migration and border management should lie entirely with individual member states. ESN opposes the European redistribution mechanism for refugees and migrants as we believe it undermines the sovereignty of countries and forces us to take in migrants against our will.
ESN sees large-scale migration as a risk to national security, culture and social cohesion and calls for strict border controls and effective protection of Europe's external borders. Furthermore, the group stresses the importance of return policies, whereby migrants without the right of residence are swiftly sent back to their countries of origin. ESN also strongly opposes legal migration programmes at European level and believes that each member state should be able to decide for itself who can or cannot enter its borders.
On May 8, 2025, the European Parliament voted with 371 in favor, 162 against, and 37 abstentions to downgrade the protection status of the wolf across the EU from “strictly protected” to “protected.” This change gives member states greater flexibility to remove problematic animals, provided that the species maintains a favorable conservation status. Support came primarily from agricultural sectors and conservative MEPs, while Greens, WWF, and other animal protection organizations warned of a setback for species conservation. After formal approval by the Council of Ministers, member states will have 18 months to transpose the change into national law.
Commenting on this, Anja Arndt, MEP of the ESN Group, stated:
“With this decision, Parliament is finally addressing the real challenges faced in our rural regions. We are giving member states a flexible tool to take the legitimate concerns of livestock farmers seriously, without demonizing the wolf across the board. The downgrading of the protection status is a welcome step, especially for farming operations and alpine pastoralism. At last, a path is being cleared to protect grazing animals, family-run farms, and tourism from increasing attacks.
Once again, the voting behavior of the Greens reveals their detachment from reality: ideological dogmas are being placed above the existential fears of people in rural areas.
Now Berlin must act immediately and use this new flexibility to grant uncomplicated shooting permits for problem wolves. The announced 18-month period must not be used as an excuse to delay action.”
Today, the European Parliament was scheduled to decide whether to extend the trade protection measures suspended since 2022 for certain Ukrainian products — including steel — once again. Critics fear that the tariff-free import regime continues to undermine the competitiveness of European farmers, steel companies, and small and medium-sized enterprises. An open letter from the Steel Pipe Industry Association (WVSR) to all Members of the European Parliament warns of “disastrous consequences” for EU industry and urges rejection of the extension.
The Europe of Sovereign Nations (ESN) Group has therefore submitted a procedural motion to postpone the vote in order to allow for a more in-depth assessment of the economic impact. ESN MEP Prof. Dr. Hans Neuhoff stated:
“We have requested that the planned vote on further tariff suspensions for imports from Ukraine be postponed. Otherwise, our domestic economy — from family-run farms to medium-sized industries and the steel sector — would come under massive pressure.
Ukraine produces with dumping wages and without comparable environmental or social standards. If their goods continue to enter the EU unchecked, we risk jobs and value creation across Europe.
The open letter from the Steel Pipe Industry Association clearly highlights these concerns. We reacted quickly and took the concerns of small and medium-sized enterprises seriously. Unfortunately, many MEPs — particularly from the usual camps of the traditional parties — once again prioritized the interests of Ukraine over those of their own nations. The necessary votes to approve our motion for postponement were not secured — yet another nail in the coffin for the German economy.”
On May 6, 2025, the Europe of Sovereign Nations (ESN) Group, meeting in Strasbourg, unanimously welcomed the candidacy of Mr Volker Schnurrbusch, who becomes the 27th member of the ESN Group.
Volker Schnurrbusch is a German Member of the European Parliament and a member of Alternative für Deutschland (AFD). He joined the European Parliament at the beginning of April 2025 and has sat until now as a non-attached Member.
This is the second expansion of the ESN Group in less than six months, following the integration of Milan Mazurek in January 2025.
It has been officially confirmed today: The request to establish a committee of inquiry into the EU Commission's vaccine contracts — in particular the controversial Pfizer deals under Ursula von der Leyen — has reached the required 180 supporters in the European Parliament. The request, titled “TRAC – Transparency and Accountability,” will now be submitted to the Conference of Presidents for further decision in accordance with Article 215 of the Rules of Procedure.
The planned committee is intended to thoroughly investigate:
• the EU Commission’s vaccine negotiations, particularly the personal SMS communications between the Commission President and Pfizer,
• alleged corruption cases such as Qatargate and Huaweigate,
• as well as the influence exerted by non-governmental organizations funded by the Commission.
Christine Anderson, Member of the European Parliament for the ESN Group, stated:
“One of my key priorities during this legislative term has been the review of COVID-19 policies, especially regarding vaccine procurement. Citizens have a right to know how multi-billion euro contracts with liability waivers could be concluded via text message. This committee will shine a light on the dark corners of corruption within the Commission — not only in relation to vaccines but also concerning the influence of Chinese companies and Gulf states.
Now it is up to the European Christian Democrats, Social Democrats, Greens, and Leftists to decide whether they will heed our call for transparency, accountability, and political responsibility — or continue to beat the drum of so-called transparency while failing to act themselves.
My special thanks go to the Patriots for Europe group, who contributed greatly to mobilizing support and bringing this issue firmly onto the agenda. Together, we now demand: full transparency, thorough investigation, and political accountability regarding external influence, conflicts of interest, and possible legal violations within the EU institutions.”
The European Commission has presented plans aiming to completely end Russian gas imports by 2027 at the latest. In two phases, the short-term trade of Russian gas on the spot market will be prohibited starting at the end of 2025, and the signing of new contracts will also be banned. By the end of 2027, no gas at all should be imported from Russia into the EU.
Anja Arndt expresses strong criticism of this initiative. From her perspective, it is a morally motivated but inconsistent approach, as liquefied natural gas (LNG) from countries like the USA or Qatar is still being imported. According to Arndt, this fuel is not only more expensive but also especially harmful to the environment due to the energy-intensive liquefaction process and long-distance transport. She also warns of increasing dependence on new energy suppliers and criticizes the burden on consumers due to high energy prices.
The ESN Member of the European Parliament, Anja Arndt, comments:
“The EU talks about climate protection and dependencies – while creating new dependencies on global corporations and third countries, as domestic industries are brought to their knees.
This policy harms Germany twice: economically and ecologically. The pipeline infrastructure, which was reliable, efficient, and costly, is being sacrificed for ideological reasons. Instead of rational energy policy, we get green planned economy and EU double standards. Anyone who truly wants to represent German interests and protect the environment must decisively oppose this madness”
A request has been filed to lift the parliamentary immunity of AfD Member of the European Parliament Petr Bystron. The investigations are based on allegations for which, despite 21 house searches, no credible evidence has been presented so far. The AfD delegation considers the process politically motivated and sees it as an attempt to discredit a committed European politician. On this matter, ESN Group MEP Petr Bystron himself declares:
"The planned withdrawal of my immunity is not a procedure in accordance with the rule of law, but a targeted political maneuver. The fact that 21 searches have not yielded a single substantial piece of evidence illustrates the baselessness of the accusations. We are witnessing a coordinated campaign to criminalize my peace-oriented views. While in the USA under President Trump, destabilization networks such as USAID are being uncovered and curtailed, the EU is actively participating in the persecution of opposition voices.
The public prosecutor should not investigate the victims of this campaign, but its masterminds. I stand for peace, freedom of expression, and an independent judiciary. Germany must return to democracy and the rule of law."
On April 28, 2025, an unprecedented power outage occurred across the entire Iberian Peninsula. Millions of people in Spain and Portugal were left without electricity for hours. The cause was the high proportion of solar power in the Spanish energy grid.
Markus Buchheit, Member of the European Parliament from the ESN Group, commented:
"The blackout in Spain and Portugal is a wake-up call for all of Europe. The energy transition must not come at the expense of supply security. Supply security and system stability must be top priorities. Ideological considerations must not be placed above the fundamental need for a secure power supply. From our point of view, it is therefore urgently necessary to thoroughly and promptly review grid stability and existing reserve capacities in Germany and Europe to identify potential weaknesses early and minimize the risk of widespread blackouts. Only with flexible and controllable large-scale power plants can we ensure that the power system functions reliably, even with highly fluctuating input from renewable energy sources, and that peak loads can be safely absorbed."
ESN MEP Anja Arndt added:
"The excessive expansion of wind and solar energy is directly responsible for this blackout and must be stopped immediately in our country as well. We need to return to a reliable, baseload-capable energy supply – for the safety of our citizens in Germany and the entire European Union."
The European Parliament operates 15 “Experience Europe” centres in which it promotes itself as an institution. The investment costs exceed €110 million, with a further €18 million in annual running costs. Another 14 centres are planned, meaning the total expenditure will rise sharply. These figures emerged from a parliamentary question submitted by AfD MEP Alexander Jungbluth.
The ESN-group budget spokesman commented:
“It is outrageous how the EU squanders taxpayers’ money to put itself in the spotlight. While constantly telling citizens they need to tighten their belts, the ladies and gentlemen in Brussels and Strasbourg treat themselves to luxurious self-glorification temples at taxpayers’ expense. The fact that President Metsola answered my question only after several reminders shows she fears the public’s reaction. I will continue to make sure that citizens learn about the European Parliament’s drastic waste of taxes for propaganda purposes.”
The ESN Group firmly rejected the European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP), adopted last Thursday in the Committees on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) and on Security and Defence (SEDE). The Group voted unanimously against the report, which passed with 70 votes in favour, 46 against, and 8 abstentions.
From the ESN’s perspective, the EDIP violates the principle of national sovereignty and leads to further centralisation of defence policy at EU level. The planned increase in national contributions and the obligation to conduct joint procurement — with the goal of achieving at least 40 per cent of military procurement jointly by 2030 — undermine Member States’ freedom of decision and place an additional burden of €1.5 billion on national budgets via the EU budget. While the introduction of a “Buy European” principle, requiring 70 per cent of value creation within the EU, is welcome in principle, it is not sufficient to protect the interests of individual nations.
The ESN Group also criticises the integration of Ukraine into the European defence industry as risky and politically motivated. Rather than further communitisation, the ESN Group calls for a consistent strengthening of national defence industries and a return to a policy of national responsibility.
Markus Buchheit, Member of the European Parliament for the ESN Group, stated:
“The security of Europe is the responsibility of sovereign nation-states, not the Brussels bureaucracy. The EDIP is another step towards a European army, which we firmly reject. We stand for national sovereignty, democratic oversight, and a responsible defence policy to ensure the safety of our citizens.
The ESN Group will continue to advocate for the preservation of sovereignty and the interests of Europe’s nations."
A 15-year-old student killed a 17-year-old female classmate with a hunting knife and seriously injured three other students at a Catholic high school in Nantes. A teacher reportedly managed to overpower him with a table. According to media reports, shortly before the attack, the suspected perpetrator sent a 13-page manifesto titled "Immune Action" to his classmates, in which he denounced environmental destruction, social alienation, and "totalitarian social conditioning." He called for a "biological revolt" — even at the cost of innocent lives.
Commenting on this, Anja Arndt, Member of the European Parliament from the ESN Group, stated:
"The climate hysteria, also propagated by the European Parliament, is causing more and more young people to despair. The number of depressed young people is skyrocketing. The BARMER health insurance company, together with the SINUS Institute, conducted a study to examine 'the effects of climate change' on the mental health of young people. The results show that climate anxiety is now widespread among adolescents. 36% of surveyed young people reported experiencing severe anxiety about climate change (levels 8–10 on a ten-point scale), while another 27% reported moderate anxiety (levels 6–7). Only 16% stated that they had no anxiety (levels 1–3).
It is not alleged climate fluctuations that frighten our young people, but the irresponsible reporting by the media and misleading statements by politicians. Climate policy, which often is not based on scientific facts but rather on green-left ideology and fearmongering, unsettles and burdens our citizens. It not only leads to poverty and illness but also fosters the emergence of more climate extremists in the long term. In France, this climate hysteria has now even led to a rampage with dead and injured.
No one can have an interest in seeing our young people further frightened, unsettled, or even radicalized by this green-left ideology. We, the ESN Group in the European Parliament, say: Enough with irresponsible climate policy! Enough with the Green Deal!"
AfD Member of the European Parliament Petr Bystron visited imprisoned British activist Tommy Robinson yesterday at Woodhill Prison. Robinson has repeatedly faced repression due to his documentaries critical of Islam.
"Tommy Robinson is a political prisoner. He was convicted for distributing his video 'Silencer', even though several witnesses confirmed the truthfulness of the video in court. Robinson was imprisoned because he refused to withdraw the video. That is true civil courage! Despite this unjust treatment and the grueling conditions of solitary confinement, Robinson remains steadfast and intends to continue his fight for freedom of speech even after his release.
In doing so, he is also fighting for us, because the growing restrictions on freedom of speech across Europe have reached alarming levels. Just like in the UK, opposition figures and government-critical journalists are being suppressed and persecuted in the EU as well — the imprisonment of the blogger Shlomo and the suspended seven-month prison sentence for the editor-in-chief of Deutschland Kurier, David Bendels, for a satirical post, are just the latest examples from Germany.
In the European Parliament, we are fighting to ensure that voices like Tommy Robinson's are heard. We will not forget these individuals and will continue to advocate for the defense of freedom of speech and the depoliticization of the judiciary."
The European Commission is planning to introduce an annual mandatory inspection for all cars older than ten years. The aim of this measure is to improve road safety. However, the proposal still needs to be approved by the European Parliament and the EU member states before it can come into effect. Regarding this, ESN MEP Siegbert Droese stated:
"This proposal is yet another attack on the freedom and prosperity of our citizens. Instead of providing relief, it imposes an additional financial burden. Those who cannot afford a new car will be the ones punished by this measure.
It is unacceptable that the European Commission continues to harass citizens with ever more regulations and restrict individual mobility. Existing regulations are sufficient — this is a blatant attempt to push a green agenda under the guise of road safety and to further restrict individual mobility.
We call on the EU institutions to immediately withdraw this proposal, and we will vote against this senseless initiative in Parliament."
According to a response to a parliamentary question by MEP Alexander Jungbluth, the EU refuses to repatriate Syrian refugees to their home country.
Commenting on this, Alexander Jungbluth, Member of the European Parliament for the ESN Group, states:
“It took the EU Commission a full four months to respond to my inquiry. And the answer is sobering! Despite the regime change in Syria and the disappearance of the original grounds for fleeing the Assad government, the EU is not planning any repatriations.
For the EU, it apparently makes no difference whether an asylum seeker still has valid grounds for protection or not. The asylum system continues to serve only one purpose: to flood the EU with largely unqualified and culturally alien migrants. Once again, this response shows that the EU has no real interest in ending mass migration in the interest of its own citizens.”
The EU Commission plans to ease key elements of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and promises to reduce bureaucracy for European farmers. What may seem like a course correction at first glance is, in reality, an admission of political failure.
Arno Bausemer, Member of the European Parliament for the ESN Group and member of the Agriculture Committee, explains:
“For years, the Commission has systematically destroyed European agriculture through overregulation. Countless farmers have had to give up their farms – not due to a lack of performance, but because of an ideologically driven agricultural policy from Brussels. Now, the Commission is being tripped up by its own policies. The fact that measures such as GAEC standards are now to be watered down shows just how misguided the previous course was.
Despite the planned relief measures, the Commission’s overall direction remains questionable. Even the Directorate-General itself warns of the loss of oversight capabilities, and ideologically motivated climate regulations continue to play a central role in the agricultural sector.
Questionable steps such as the proposed tariffs on fertilizer imports from Russia further demonstrate that the EU Commission is not genuinely concerned with safeguarding European agriculture. Our farmers depend on this affordable fertilizer to maintain their competitiveness and must no longer be used as pawns in senseless political proxy wars.
Tinkering with a few minor adjustments is not enough when the ideological foundation remains intact. As long as climate ideology takes precedence over practical solutions, nothing will fundamentally change for Europe’s farmers.”
The EU has approved an aid package worth 1.6 billion euros for the Palestinian Authority. The funds are intended to support reforms, reconstruction, and administrative structures in the region, particularly in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The EU emphasizes that the money is tied to a willingness to reform — but no concrete conditions have been specified. Commenting on this, Alexander Jungbluth, MEP from the ESN group, states:
“Widespread corruption, barely functioning administration, and areas partly controlled by the radical Islamist Hamas — that’s where the EU wants to send 1.6 billion euros of European taxpayer money.
How the money will actually be used is almost impossible to monitor or even track transparently. While the EU talks about necessary reforms, it remains vague beyond that. As a general rule, aid to foreign countries should always be tied to the concept of remigration — in this case, the return of criminal and deportable Palestinians from Europe. That would actually be of help to Europe!”
The European Commission has launched a four-week public consultation to update its “Nuclear Illustrative Programme” (PNIC). The goal is to present a revised strategic document in the second quarter, outlining future investment needs in the European nuclear sector. The focus includes the construction of new reactors, lifetime extensions for existing plants, the management of radioactive waste, and the development of new technologies such as Small Modular Reactors and nuclear fusion. The backdrop to this initiative is the renewed interest in nuclear power among many EU member states.
Markus Buchheit, Member of the European Parliament from the ESN Group, comments:
“Even the European Commission – usually responsible for climate-ideological experiments like the Green Deal – is now backing the expansion of nuclear energy. Meanwhile, Germany continues on its isolated and ideologically driven path of phasing out nuclear power. This is not only disconnected from reality – it is extremely dangerous for our economic competitiveness.
The EU rightly recognizes that nuclear energy is an indispensable pillar for affordable, stable, and low-carbon electricity supply. New reactors, new technologies, more research, and targeted investments: other European countries are preparing for the future. And Germany? It is the only industrialized nation to completely shut down its functioning nuclear power plants – despite skyrocketing electricity prices, growing dependence on energy imports, and clear risks to energy security and the economy.
This ideological refusal to face reality harms not only the German people but also massively undermines our economic competitiveness. It is high time that Berlin wakes up: without nuclear energy, there can be no secure, independent, or future-proof energy supply – neither in Germany nor anywhere else.
We call on the German government to stop denying reality, reverse the nuclear phase-out, and finally act in a technologically open and responsible manner.”
The case of the rejected Eritrean asylum seeker Kahlid O., currently the subject of media attention, once again raises questions about German asylum policy. Despite entering via safe third countries and having his asylum application rejected, he committed several criminal offenses. After serving a prison sentence and receiving release payments, he reoffended. Deportation is currently considered unlikely, as Eritrea refuses to provide identification. The man is now receiving psychiatric treatment at the state's expense and remains in Germany. Regarding this, ESN parliamentary group MEP Mary Khan states:
“Countries like Eritrea have received millions of euros in aid payments from the European Union for years, yet refuse to take back their rejected nationals once their asylum claims are denied.
Germany must immediately part ways with the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act! Asylum seekers should no longer receive monetary benefits but should instead only receive in-kind benefits for the duration of their procedures.
As long as the federal government is not willing to act, benefits for rejected asylum seekers must be suspended, foreign remittances to their countries of origin must be immediately banned, and pressure on countries of origin must be increased by suspending aid payments.
Countries like Eritrea that actively prevent the return of rejected asylum seekers must no longer be rewarded for their behavior.”
According to plans by the EU’s chief diplomat Kaja Kallas, €40 billion are to be allocated for the continued armament of Ukrainian armed forces. Her proposal includes joint financing based on a distribution key that takes into account the gross national income of each EU member state. Following the latest Russian attacks, the proposal is once again gaining attention among several member states.
MEP Petr Bystron of the ESN group commented:
“The EU wants to finance the Ukrainian war machinery with another €40 billion – and Germany is supposed to pay for it. Under Ms. Kallas's distribution key, Germany would bear the lion’s share, meaning German taxpayers would be disproportionately burdened. We reject that. Instead of Germany supplying money for ammunition and prolonging the dying, we as the AfD delegation are calling for a diplomatic solution. Not a single additional euro of German taxpayer money should go to Ukraine!
This is all the more true now that the United States under President Trump is advocating for a negotiated solution to the conflict. It is disturbing that the EU so stubbornly refuses to recognize the signs of the times and contribute to a diplomatic resolution of the conflict.”
The European Court of Auditors criticizes the lack of transparency in the allocation of EU funding to non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Between 2021 and 2023, NGOs received around 7.4 billion euros, with 4.8 billion euros coming directly from the EU Commission. The report points out that there is no clear overview of how these funds are used, especially regarding lobbying activities and adherence to EU values by the NGOs. Additionally, there is no consistent definition of NGOs, further hindering transparency.
EU Member of Parliament Mary Khan of the ESN Group states:
"What has been uncovered here is a scandal: Left-wing networks are being funded with billions to push the ideological goals of the EU Commission and national governments – far from any democratic accountability.
The allocation of these funds is happening without any transparency and in the billions. The EU Commission repeatedly positions itself as a moral compass while harshly criticizing states that oppose it. However, the reality is quite the opposite. The EU Commission operates far from any democratic rules, as the latest report from the European Court of Auditors reveals.
As part of the ESN Group, we have made it our mission to expose this swamp. Whether this new scandal is just the tip of the iceberg remains to be seen. We will certainly continue to dig deeper."
The response from the European Commission to a written question by ESN Member of the European Parliament Mary Khan is sobering. Mary Khan wanted to know the financial burden in the areas of healthcare, housing, education, security, and social welfare. Instead of answers, she received vague phrases and ignorance. Mary Khan comments:
“‘We don’t know – and we don’t want to know.’ These words sum up the response of the European Commission and Commissioner Magnus Brunner briefly and clearly.”
Apparently, Brussels fears the political explosive power of honest figures. Every year, hundreds of thousands of illegal migrants enter the EU – yet no one wants to know what this costs. Those who don’t count, don’t have to take responsibility. And those who don’t measure, can gloss over everything. The refusal to provide any transparency is a slap in the face to European taxpayers.
I therefore call for an independent, country-specific, and transparent cost analysis of illegal migration. Anyone who wants to talk about migration must also talk about its consequences – honestly, based on data, and without ideological filters. Anything else is political window dressing at the expense of the citizens.
The ESN Group has submitted a motion for a European Parliament resolution calling for a strong and united response to what it sees as Germany’s departure from financial stability. The initiative highlights concerns over Germany’s use of “Sondervermögen” (special funds) and its potential impact on EU fiscal rules and overall economic stability.
Alexander Jungbluth, Member of the European Parliament for the ESN Group and member of the BUDG Committee, stated:
“The debt binge we are currently witnessing in Germany endangers not only the country’s own stability but also that of the entire European financial system. That’s why, together with the European Parliament, we are calling on the Commission to take action to ensure that the Federal Republic of Germany complies with existing EU law and stops violating the Maastricht criteria.
If the European Parliament wants to maintain its credibility when it comes to upholding European rules and laws, our resolution must be taken seriously and negotiated across party lines. There can only be one conclusion: under the leadership of Friedrich Merz, the German government is not only jeopardizing the future of its own citizens and generations to come, but also playing with the financial and economic security of the entire Eurozone.”
Siegbert Droese (ESN/AfD), Member of the European Parliament, strongly criticises the proposed EU directive on driving licence reform as well as the directive on licence withdrawal, calling them bureaucratic and patronising. As shadow rapporteur for both proposals, he took part in the negotiations and warns of the consequences for citizens and Member States – despite the ESN Group’s efforts in both trilogues to tone down the drafts:
“Under the guise of road safety, the EU aimed to push through far-reaching interference in national traffic policy. However, many of the directive’s absurd proposals – such as mandatory medical checks for seniors only, age-based speed limits, or bans on SUVs and night driving for novice drivers – were successfully blocked in negotiations thanks to the centre-right majority.
In the talks on the licence withdrawal directive, we also managed to remove the originally planned EU-wide points system. This proves that resistance to excessive EU regulation can be successful.
Still, the proposed rules remain deeply problematic, representing yet another disproportionate infringement on national sovereignty – at the expense of citizens and with no real benefit to road safety.
What we need is pragmatic transport policy that ensures safety with common sense – not more red tape and top-down control from Brussels.”
A new report reveals how the European Commission is indirectly shaping public opinion through the funding of non-governmental organisations (NGOs). According to the investigation, this has led to the creation of a dense network that promotes political narratives aligned with the EU – all without public transparency. These revelations raise serious questions about the political neutrality and democratic legitimacy of this practice.
Mary Khan, Member of the European Parliament for the ESN Group, stated:
“What the EU calls ‘value promotion’ is nothing more than a massive propaganda machine, funded with millions in taxpayer money, designed to manipulate public opinion. Whether in Georgia, Bulgaria, or Romania – we see the destructive influence of the European Union everywhere: the division into ‘good’ and ‘bad’, and targeted interference in elections and political processes.
The recent revelations about the EU Commission’s covert funding of NGOs confirm what the AfD has been warning about for years: taxpayer money is being used to support organisations that spread government-aligned narratives and suppress critical voices. This network undermines democratic plurality of opinion and serves as an indirect propaganda tool of Brussels.
As AfD and ESN, we demand full transparency regarding financial flows and an end to political influence by so-called independent actors. The new U.S. administration is setting an example by dismantling similar projects on its own soil.”
The European Commission has presented its Defence White Paper alongside the €800 billion rearmament programme Rearm Europe. A central element of this strategy is the mobilisation of private savings through the so-called Savings and Investment Union (SIU) to boost investments in the defence industry. The aim is to strengthen Europe’s defence capabilities and continue support for Ukraine.
Alexander Jungbluth, Member of the European Parliament for the ESN Group, commented:
“First, the German EU Commission President von der Leyen calls for billions in European rearmament without any mandate – and now she wants to get her hands on the savings of European citizens. For years, our money has already been handed out in the form of tax contributions to Ukraine without any oversight or transparency.
But these latest demands mark a new peak: The EU not only seeks to further limit national sovereignty but now wants to redirect individual citizens’ savings into investments for the war economy.
With this, the European Commission is increasingly and openly beating the drum for a ‘total war’ in Ukraine.
As the AfD delegation, we stand for the exact opposite of this EU – for peace, the preservation of cash, national sovereignty, and the right of savers to use their money as they see fit. Not a single cent more must go to Ukraine!”
Once again, the European Parliament is hit by a corruption scandal. Dozens of private residences have been searched across several member states, offices within the European Parliament have been sealed and investigated, and MEPs and their assistants are implicated. Our MEP, Mary Khan, a member of the JURI Committee, stated:
"For the ESN Group, this comes as no surprise. Corruption is not an 'incident'; it is a core element of how the European Parliament operates.
The root of the problem lies in the EP-Bureau, where decisions are made—without any public transparency—regarding the European Parliament's staggering annual budget of 2 billion euros. Elected MEPs from ESN and Patriots have been deliberately excluded from this process.
Millions are wasted on shady real estate projects worldwide, including the purchase and rental of excessively expensive and unnecessary properties in Paris, London, and Washington, with recently planned acquisitions even in Kyiv and Moldova."
The lifting of immunity for the MEPs implicated in this latest corruption scandal will be handled by the JURI Committee. Recently, left-wing MEPs used procedural tricks to delay the removal of immunity for Italian communist MEP Ilaria Salis, who is being prosecuted in Hungary for Antifa-related terrorist attacks. Mary Khan has already warned against similar procedural maneuvers:
"We will not tolerate any further attempts by MEPs in JURI to delay the lifting of immunity for those involved in this corruption scandal. Their immunity must be revoked immediately, without delay, so that justice can take its proper course."
The Romanian presidential candidate Călin Georgescu is no longer allowed to run in the Romanian elections. This decision was made by the central electoral office in Bucharest. Georgescu had unexpectedly won the first round of the presidential elections in November 2024. Shortly before the runoff election, the Constitutional Court annulled the first round.
AfD Member of the European Parliament Petr Bystron commented:
"The EU country Romania is swiftly abolishing democracy and is receiving support from Brussels. The annulment of the first election alone is a blatant scandal and a disgrace for the country. In the new elections, Georgescu would have likely won even more decisively – which is why they are now trying to prevent him from running altogether.
Additionally, there is an effort to damage Georgescu by all means: absurd accusations from the press and the judiciary, arrests, and the undermining of free elections.
What is happening in Romania is a disgrace for the EU – which is not only watching with a smile but also actively pulling the strings in the background. The EU is revealing its true face: While violent demonstrators are being supported against the legitimately elected government in Georgia, an attempted coup is underway in Romania.
The final decision of the Constitutional Court is still pending on Wednesday – a court that already annulled the first election on flimsy grounds. The AfD delegation strongly condemns the developments in Romania. Our political vision is a free and sovereign Europe of nations, in which the will of the people is respected."
The German EU MP of the ESN faction, Markus Buchheit (AfD), responds to EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s proposal to postpone the tightening of CO₂ fleet limits:
"The increasingly rigid fleet limits for car manufacturers are making the production of internal combustion engine vehicles ever more unprofitable. This is equivalent to a de facto ban on combustion engines. To keep our automotive industry internationally competitive, we do not just need a postponement of the tightening of fleet limits, but an end to them altogether."
Buchheit sees the fleet limits and the ban on new registrations of internal combustion engine vehicles in the EU from 2035 as primarily an ideologically driven attack on individual mobility – to the detriment of citizens' prosperity and freedom.
"The European automotive industry is falling further and further behind manufacturers, particularly from China. The main reason for this is, among other things, the absurd political coercion and the ever-increasing politically induced disadvantages of location. However, European prosperity depends significantly on the performance of the European automotive industry. With these overreaching regulations, the EU is ultimately sawing off the very branch it is sitting on," Buchheit concludes.
At a government summit in London, Ursula von der Leyen called for a "massive armament" of Ukraine. To achieve this, the EU must increase defense investments over an extended period. This means that further billions will flow into Ukraine’s war preparations.
In response, Alexander Sell, MP of the ESN faction, stated:
"This EU still has not understood the signs of the times. In Europe, citizens long for peace and stability. Von der Leyen's warlike stance is completely detached from the interests of the people in Ukraine and Europe.
While the United States is engaging in dialogue with Russia and has taken a seat at the negotiating table, the EU Commission—especially under the leadership of German Commission President Ursula von der Leyen—is calling for a continuation of the bloodshed in the East.
This war must finally come to an end. It is unacceptable that this conflict is being prolonged with multi-billion aid packages at the expense of European taxpayers, while the people on the ground continue to be used as pawns in the game of international powers.
Since its founding, the ESN faction has been advocating for peace in Europe and an end to the senseless bloodshed in Ukraine. Diplomatic relations must remain possible in all directions, even in times of crisis. Closing one’s eyes to reality and hoping for Ukraine’s victory is not only dangerous but is playing with fire, risking a Third World War."
Brussels/Bucharest, February 26, 2025 – Romanian election winner Călin Georgescu has been arrested, and his election annulled. Under the flimsy pretext of "Russian influence," the EU and Romanian authorities have launched an unprecedented political persecution. Supporters are being intimidated, homes searched, and lawyers prevented from doing their jobs. A fair trial is unthinkable under such conditions.
"The EU has lost all credibility. It is sliding further and further into authoritarianism. Now the Eurocrats are showing their true face: elections are annulled, opposition figures imprisoned – democracy is being trampled on!" criticizes Petr Bystron.
Bystron demands the immediate release of Călin Georgescu and an end to political repression. "The EU must return to democracy. Those who abolish fundamental rights and free elections do not stand for European values but for dictatorship."
LIBE-committee with ESN Group votes down the left-wing political ‘guidelines’ for the 2026 EU-budget
The members of the European Parliament's Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) met on Tuesday February 18 in Brussels.
The members of the Committee were due to vote on a report, drafted by Andrzej Halicki (PPE, Poland), giving the political guidelines to the European Commission for the spending of the huge 2026 EU-budget.
These guidelines are usually approved by the majority, and disapproved by the opposition. However, in a remarkable outcome, the draft report only got 25 votes in favour, with a clear 37 against and 5 abstentions.
With this vote, the so-called ‘old majority’ in the European Parliament lies in shatters.
The ESN MEPs opposed this draft report for several reasons:
• The report calls for continued ‘direct funding to civil society organisations’, while NGOs receive €1.7 billion in European funding every year, and this funding has led to massive corruption scandals;
• The report wants to increase the Union’s support ‘to counter hate speech’, while Europe needs more freedom of speech;
• The report asked to ‘fight the spread of disinformation at a large scale and develop more effective countermeasures’, while this is a pretext for unacceptable censorship against dissident voices and opinions.
The votes of the ESN Group, represented by MEPs Ewa ZAJACZKOWSKA (Konfederacja, Poland), Mary KHAN (AfD, Germany) and Petar VOLGIN (Revival party, Bulgaria) were again crucial in making this strong signal for freedom of speech and a clear stance against mass immigration.
Washington,
February 24, 2025
CPAC 2025 - An ESN delegation visited the Conservative Congress in Washington
Every year since 1974, the Americans have organised a major gathering of conservatives from all over the world. Once again this year, a large number of prominent figures attended the event, in the context of the recent election of Donald Trump. The ESN Group in the European Parliament naturally attended the event and sent a delegation.
Members of the European Parliament from the ESN group were able to listen to President Donald Trump and other high-level speakers. The convention showed that the members of the ESN group share many of the same values as conservatives and patriots from around the world:
People's freedom. A wind of freedom is blowing through Western democracies and the ESN Group fully shares this democratic aspiration. They support messages addressed to the convention by Elon Musk and US Vice-President JD Vance. Both underlined the dangers to freedom of expression in European democracies, which was welcomed by the ESN Group.
The sovereignty of nations. The values of independence, autonomy and sovereignty of nations were also widely reiterated at CPAC. Nigel Farage called on the various nations to remain free and sovereign.
The need to install capable and effective governments. The MEPs of the ESN Group were also able to appreciate the examples set by the President of Argentina, Javier Milei, and the Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, who have succeeded, in their respective countries, in obtaining rapid results that have been acclaimed by their populations.
The will to secure the borders. Finally, the ESN delegation at CPAC listened attentively to new Border Czar of the American administration, Mr Tom Homan, who has achieved spectacular results in 4 weeks, with a 95% drop in illegal entries into the United States.
The MEPs of the ESN Group in the European Parliament came back from this event strengthened in their fight to serve their sovereign nations.
The EU secretly funneled €132.82 million to media outlets across Europe to influence the 2024 European elections, as revealed by Il Fatto Quotidiano on February 11, 2025!
Top officials Ursula von der Leyen and Roberta Metsola, with support from the EU Council, used a framework contract with Havas Media France (Vivendi Group) to distribute funds while keeping recipients and amounts hidden. No transparency, no accountability – just taxpayer money buying EU-friendly news coverage!
Major media like Rai, Mediaset, Sky, Corriere della Sera, and Repubblica were PAID for favorable articles about Brussels. Is this journalism or propaganda?
EU institutions don’t sell products, so why hire an ad agency if not to manipulate the narrative? Democracy demands transparency, not hidden payments to the press!
ESN will demand in the European Parliament full disclosure of all media that benefited from this, and a full investigation to this unprecedented illegal manipulation of the European elections by the EU itself.
This blatant manipulation of public opinion using public funds is a disgrace. Full story by Il Fatto Quotidiano: https://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/.../ben-130.../7872331/..”
The process to revoke the immunity of Italian MEP Ilaria Salis has begun. Today, the left-wing MEP must justify herself before the JURI Committee of the European Parliament regarding violent attacks in Hungary. The resulting report will determine the next steps in the procedure. Salis, elected for the Alleanza Verdi e Sinistra after a lengthy detention in Hungary, is accused of severe hammer attacks on civilians in Hungary.
Mary Khan, MEP of the ESN Group, stated:
“At the time, the video of the hammer attacks on Hungarian civilians shocked all of Europe. We are witnessing a worrying escalation of left-wing violence in many countries. It is even more outrageous when left-wing parties undermine the rule of law by abusing parliamentary immunity to set offenders free. Viktor Orbán is right to demand the revocation of Ilaria Salis' immunity – we support this demand.
Only through decisive action can we prevent political interests from undermining the rule of law and endangering the safety and freedom of our society. Ilaria Salis belongs in prison, not in Parliament.”
Brussels – AfD Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Petr Bystron is calling for an immediate investigation into the activities of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in the European Union. The background to this demand is allegations that USAID sought to influence the 2024 European elections through disinformation campaigns in several EU countries. These allegations are based on revelations by Elon Musk and Donald Trump regarding illegal practices within USAID.
"Trump has done fantastic groundwork; now we must also quickly and comprehensively uncover illegal election interference by foreign states in Europe," said Bystron. He stated that there is a strong suspicion that foreign influence has massively manipulated the composition of the EU Parliament. "The EU must relentlessly combat all forms of hybrid warfare, foreign propaganda, and disinformation."
Bystron criticized the fact that USAID-funded media had deliberately targeted opposition forces. "Our democracy must be protected from foreign influences," said the AfD politician. He argued that it is the responsibility of European institutions to investigate these manipulations and ensure the security of future elections.
The U.S. Agency for International Development is currently facing criticism for allegedly using intelligence funds to influence elections and carry out regime changes worldwide. U.S. President Donald Trump has therefore drastically cut USAID’s budget and placed all employees on leave as of February 7.
Last Wednesday, the ESN Group awarded Tamara Lich with the "Women Fighting for Freedom" prize. Tamara Lich is a Canadian political activist and one of the main organizers of the so-called "Freedom Convoy" in 2022. This protest began as a movement by truck drivers against COVID-19 vaccination mandates and expanded into a broader protest against government measures and restrictions. The AfD Member of the European Parliament in the ESN Group, Christine Anderson, commented:
"It was a great honor for our Group to welcome Mrs. Lich as a guest in Strasbourg and later award her. Tamara Lich embodies the fight against an overbearing state and for the freedom of its citizens like no one else. Even after facing the harshest sanctions from the Canadian government and being arrested during the protests in Ottawa, Tamara Lich did not let herself be intimidated. 'They picked the wrong woman,' says Tamara Lich herself, defiantly. Her courage and commitment are an inspiration to us all."
Carola Rackete loses court case against AfD-Delegation
Carola Rackete, the german Left Party’s top candidate for the European elections, has lost a legal battle against the AfD delegation in the European Parliament at the Berlin Regional Court. Rackete had sued the delegation, seeking to prevent being referred to as a “smuggler.” However, the former captain of the "Sea-Watch" has now lost in court, which ruled that "a certain factual connection" to the term cannot be denied. Markus Buchheit, a Member of the European Parliament from the AfD delegation, commented: "What the AfD has repeatedly emphasized and made public is now legally confirmed. Carola Rackete may be referred to as a smuggler. The activities of so-called sea rescuers cannot be described otherwise. Those who lure refugees into the Mediterranean off the North African coast and then bring them to Europe like a prearranged shuttle service are smugglers! We will do everything in our power to put an end to this criminal activity!"
On migration, the Europe of Sovereign Nations (ESN) group stands for a strict and restrictive migration policy. ESN opposes the centralisation of migration policy by the European Union and believes that responsibility for migration and border management should lie entirely with individual member states. ESN opposes the European redistribution mechanism for refugees and migrants as we believe it undermines the sovereignty of countries and forces us to take in migrants against our will.
ESN sees large-scale migration as a risk to national security, culture and social cohesion and calls for strict border controls and effective protection of Europe's external borders. Furthermore, the group stresses the importance of return policies, whereby migrants without the right of residence are swiftly sent back to their countries of origin. ESN also strongly opposes legal migration programmes at European level and believes that each member state should be able to decide for itself who can or cannot enter its borders.
The European Commission has presented plans aiming to completely end Russian gas imports by 2027 at the latest. In two phases, the short-term trade of Russian gas on the spot market will be prohibited starting at the end of 2025, and the signing of new contracts will also be banned. By the end of 2027, no gas at all should be imported from Russia into the EU.
Anja Arndt expresses strong criticism of this initiative. From her perspective, it is a morally motivated but inconsistent approach, as liquefied natural gas (LNG) from countries like the USA or Qatar is still being imported. According to Arndt, this fuel is not only more expensive but also especially harmful to the environment due to the energy-intensive liquefaction process and long-distance transport. She also warns of increasing dependence on new energy suppliers and criticizes the burden on consumers due to high energy prices.
The ESN Member of the European Parliament, Anja Arndt, comments:
“The EU talks about climate protection and dependencies – while creating new dependencies on global corporations and third countries, as domestic industries are brought to their knees.
This policy harms Germany twice: economically and ecologically. The pipeline infrastructure, which was reliable, efficient, and costly, is being sacrificed for ideological reasons. Instead of rational energy policy, we get green planned economy and EU double standards. Anyone who truly wants to represent German interests and protect the environment must decisively oppose this madness”
A request has been filed to lift the parliamentary immunity of AfD Member of the European Parliament Petr Bystron. The investigations are based on allegations for which, despite 21 house searches, no credible evidence has been presented so far. The AfD delegation considers the process politically motivated and sees it as an attempt to discredit a committed European politician. On this matter, ESN Group MEP Petr Bystron himself declares:
"The planned withdrawal of my immunity is not a procedure in accordance with the rule of law, but a targeted political maneuver. The fact that 21 searches have not yielded a single substantial piece of evidence illustrates the baselessness of the accusations. We are witnessing a coordinated campaign to criminalize my peace-oriented views. While in the USA under President Trump, destabilization networks such as USAID are being uncovered and curtailed, the EU is actively participating in the persecution of opposition voices.
The public prosecutor should not investigate the victims of this campaign, but its masterminds. I stand for peace, freedom of expression, and an independent judiciary. Germany must return to democracy and the rule of law."
On April 28, 2025, an unprecedented power outage occurred across the entire Iberian Peninsula. Millions of people in Spain and Portugal were left without electricity for hours. The cause was the high proportion of solar power in the Spanish energy grid.
Markus Buchheit, Member of the European Parliament from the ESN Group, commented:
"The blackout in Spain and Portugal is a wake-up call for all of Europe. The energy transition must not come at the expense of supply security. Supply security and system stability must be top priorities. Ideological considerations must not be placed above the fundamental need for a secure power supply. From our point of view, it is therefore urgently necessary to thoroughly and promptly review grid stability and existing reserve capacities in Germany and Europe to identify potential weaknesses early and minimize the risk of widespread blackouts. Only with flexible and controllable large-scale power plants can we ensure that the power system functions reliably, even with highly fluctuating input from renewable energy sources, and that peak loads can be safely absorbed."
ESN MEP Anja Arndt added:
"The excessive expansion of wind and solar energy is directly responsible for this blackout and must be stopped immediately in our country as well. We need to return to a reliable, baseload-capable energy supply – for the safety of our citizens in Germany and the entire European Union."
The European Parliament operates 15 “Experience Europe” centres in which it promotes itself as an institution. The investment costs exceed €110 million, with a further €18 million in annual running costs. Another 14 centres are planned, meaning the total expenditure will rise sharply. These figures emerged from a parliamentary question submitted by AfD MEP Alexander Jungbluth.
The ESN-group budget spokesman commented:
“It is outrageous how the EU squanders taxpayers’ money to put itself in the spotlight. While constantly telling citizens they need to tighten their belts, the ladies and gentlemen in Brussels and Strasbourg treat themselves to luxurious self-glorification temples at taxpayers’ expense. The fact that President Metsola answered my question only after several reminders shows she fears the public’s reaction. I will continue to make sure that citizens learn about the European Parliament’s drastic waste of taxes for propaganda purposes.”
The ESN Group firmly rejected the European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP), adopted last Thursday in the Committees on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) and on Security and Defence (SEDE). The Group voted unanimously against the report, which passed with 70 votes in favour, 46 against, and 8 abstentions.
From the ESN’s perspective, the EDIP violates the principle of national sovereignty and leads to further centralisation of defence policy at EU level. The planned increase in national contributions and the obligation to conduct joint procurement — with the goal of achieving at least 40 per cent of military procurement jointly by 2030 — undermine Member States’ freedom of decision and place an additional burden of €1.5 billion on national budgets via the EU budget. While the introduction of a “Buy European” principle, requiring 70 per cent of value creation within the EU, is welcome in principle, it is not sufficient to protect the interests of individual nations.
The ESN Group also criticises the integration of Ukraine into the European defence industry as risky and politically motivated. Rather than further communitisation, the ESN Group calls for a consistent strengthening of national defence industries and a return to a policy of national responsibility.
Markus Buchheit, Member of the European Parliament for the ESN Group, stated:
“The security of Europe is the responsibility of sovereign nation-states, not the Brussels bureaucracy. The EDIP is another step towards a European army, which we firmly reject. We stand for national sovereignty, democratic oversight, and a responsible defence policy to ensure the safety of our citizens.
The ESN Group will continue to advocate for the preservation of sovereignty and the interests of Europe’s nations."
A 15-year-old student killed a 17-year-old female classmate with a hunting knife and seriously injured three other students at a Catholic high school in Nantes. A teacher reportedly managed to overpower him with a table. According to media reports, shortly before the attack, the suspected perpetrator sent a 13-page manifesto titled "Immune Action" to his classmates, in which he denounced environmental destruction, social alienation, and "totalitarian social conditioning." He called for a "biological revolt" — even at the cost of innocent lives.
Commenting on this, Anja Arndt, Member of the European Parliament from the ESN Group, stated:
"The climate hysteria, also propagated by the European Parliament, is causing more and more young people to despair. The number of depressed young people is skyrocketing. The BARMER health insurance company, together with the SINUS Institute, conducted a study to examine 'the effects of climate change' on the mental health of young people. The results show that climate anxiety is now widespread among adolescents. 36% of surveyed young people reported experiencing severe anxiety about climate change (levels 8–10 on a ten-point scale), while another 27% reported moderate anxiety (levels 6–7). Only 16% stated that they had no anxiety (levels 1–3).
It is not alleged climate fluctuations that frighten our young people, but the irresponsible reporting by the media and misleading statements by politicians. Climate policy, which often is not based on scientific facts but rather on green-left ideology and fearmongering, unsettles and burdens our citizens. It not only leads to poverty and illness but also fosters the emergence of more climate extremists in the long term. In France, this climate hysteria has now even led to a rampage with dead and injured.
No one can have an interest in seeing our young people further frightened, unsettled, or even radicalized by this green-left ideology. We, the ESN Group in the European Parliament, say: Enough with irresponsible climate policy! Enough with the Green Deal!"
AfD Member of the European Parliament Petr Bystron visited imprisoned British activist Tommy Robinson yesterday at Woodhill Prison. Robinson has repeatedly faced repression due to his documentaries critical of Islam.
"Tommy Robinson is a political prisoner. He was convicted for distributing his video 'Silencer', even though several witnesses confirmed the truthfulness of the video in court. Robinson was imprisoned because he refused to withdraw the video. That is true civil courage! Despite this unjust treatment and the grueling conditions of solitary confinement, Robinson remains steadfast and intends to continue his fight for freedom of speech even after his release.
In doing so, he is also fighting for us, because the growing restrictions on freedom of speech across Europe have reached alarming levels. Just like in the UK, opposition figures and government-critical journalists are being suppressed and persecuted in the EU as well — the imprisonment of the blogger Shlomo and the suspended seven-month prison sentence for the editor-in-chief of Deutschland Kurier, David Bendels, for a satirical post, are just the latest examples from Germany.
In the European Parliament, we are fighting to ensure that voices like Tommy Robinson's are heard. We will not forget these individuals and will continue to advocate for the defense of freedom of speech and the depoliticization of the judiciary."
The European Commission is planning to introduce an annual mandatory inspection for all cars older than ten years. The aim of this measure is to improve road safety. However, the proposal still needs to be approved by the European Parliament and the EU member states before it can come into effect. Regarding this, ESN MEP Siegbert Droese stated:
"This proposal is yet another attack on the freedom and prosperity of our citizens. Instead of providing relief, it imposes an additional financial burden. Those who cannot afford a new car will be the ones punished by this measure.
It is unacceptable that the European Commission continues to harass citizens with ever more regulations and restrict individual mobility. Existing regulations are sufficient — this is a blatant attempt to push a green agenda under the guise of road safety and to further restrict individual mobility.
We call on the EU institutions to immediately withdraw this proposal, and we will vote against this senseless initiative in Parliament."
According to a response to a parliamentary question by MEP Alexander Jungbluth, the EU refuses to repatriate Syrian refugees to their home country.
Commenting on this, Alexander Jungbluth, Member of the European Parliament for the ESN Group, states:
“It took the EU Commission a full four months to respond to my inquiry. And the answer is sobering! Despite the regime change in Syria and the disappearance of the original grounds for fleeing the Assad government, the EU is not planning any repatriations.
For the EU, it apparently makes no difference whether an asylum seeker still has valid grounds for protection or not. The asylum system continues to serve only one purpose: to flood the EU with largely unqualified and culturally alien migrants. Once again, this response shows that the EU has no real interest in ending mass migration in the interest of its own citizens.”
The EU Commission plans to ease key elements of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and promises to reduce bureaucracy for European farmers. What may seem like a course correction at first glance is, in reality, an admission of political failure.
Arno Bausemer, Member of the European Parliament for the ESN Group and member of the Agriculture Committee, explains:
“For years, the Commission has systematically destroyed European agriculture through overregulation. Countless farmers have had to give up their farms – not due to a lack of performance, but because of an ideologically driven agricultural policy from Brussels. Now, the Commission is being tripped up by its own policies. The fact that measures such as GAEC standards are now to be watered down shows just how misguided the previous course was.
Despite the planned relief measures, the Commission’s overall direction remains questionable. Even the Directorate-General itself warns of the loss of oversight capabilities, and ideologically motivated climate regulations continue to play a central role in the agricultural sector.
Questionable steps such as the proposed tariffs on fertilizer imports from Russia further demonstrate that the EU Commission is not genuinely concerned with safeguarding European agriculture. Our farmers depend on this affordable fertilizer to maintain their competitiveness and must no longer be used as pawns in senseless political proxy wars.
Tinkering with a few minor adjustments is not enough when the ideological foundation remains intact. As long as climate ideology takes precedence over practical solutions, nothing will fundamentally change for Europe’s farmers.”
The EU has approved an aid package worth 1.6 billion euros for the Palestinian Authority. The funds are intended to support reforms, reconstruction, and administrative structures in the region, particularly in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The EU emphasizes that the money is tied to a willingness to reform — but no concrete conditions have been specified. Commenting on this, Alexander Jungbluth, MEP from the ESN group, states:
“Widespread corruption, barely functioning administration, and areas partly controlled by the radical Islamist Hamas — that’s where the EU wants to send 1.6 billion euros of European taxpayer money.
How the money will actually be used is almost impossible to monitor or even track transparently. While the EU talks about necessary reforms, it remains vague beyond that. As a general rule, aid to foreign countries should always be tied to the concept of remigration — in this case, the return of criminal and deportable Palestinians from Europe. That would actually be of help to Europe!”
The European Commission has launched a four-week public consultation to update its “Nuclear Illustrative Programme” (PNIC). The goal is to present a revised strategic document in the second quarter, outlining future investment needs in the European nuclear sector. The focus includes the construction of new reactors, lifetime extensions for existing plants, the management of radioactive waste, and the development of new technologies such as Small Modular Reactors and nuclear fusion. The backdrop to this initiative is the renewed interest in nuclear power among many EU member states.
Markus Buchheit, Member of the European Parliament from the ESN Group, comments:
“Even the European Commission – usually responsible for climate-ideological experiments like the Green Deal – is now backing the expansion of nuclear energy. Meanwhile, Germany continues on its isolated and ideologically driven path of phasing out nuclear power. This is not only disconnected from reality – it is extremely dangerous for our economic competitiveness.
The EU rightly recognizes that nuclear energy is an indispensable pillar for affordable, stable, and low-carbon electricity supply. New reactors, new technologies, more research, and targeted investments: other European countries are preparing for the future. And Germany? It is the only industrialized nation to completely shut down its functioning nuclear power plants – despite skyrocketing electricity prices, growing dependence on energy imports, and clear risks to energy security and the economy.
This ideological refusal to face reality harms not only the German people but also massively undermines our economic competitiveness. It is high time that Berlin wakes up: without nuclear energy, there can be no secure, independent, or future-proof energy supply – neither in Germany nor anywhere else.
We call on the German government to stop denying reality, reverse the nuclear phase-out, and finally act in a technologically open and responsible manner.”
The case of the rejected Eritrean asylum seeker Kahlid O., currently the subject of media attention, once again raises questions about German asylum policy. Despite entering via safe third countries and having his asylum application rejected, he committed several criminal offenses. After serving a prison sentence and receiving release payments, he reoffended. Deportation is currently considered unlikely, as Eritrea refuses to provide identification. The man is now receiving psychiatric treatment at the state's expense and remains in Germany. Regarding this, ESN parliamentary group MEP Mary Khan states:
“Countries like Eritrea have received millions of euros in aid payments from the European Union for years, yet refuse to take back their rejected nationals once their asylum claims are denied.
Germany must immediately part ways with the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act! Asylum seekers should no longer receive monetary benefits but should instead only receive in-kind benefits for the duration of their procedures.
As long as the federal government is not willing to act, benefits for rejected asylum seekers must be suspended, foreign remittances to their countries of origin must be immediately banned, and pressure on countries of origin must be increased by suspending aid payments.
Countries like Eritrea that actively prevent the return of rejected asylum seekers must no longer be rewarded for their behavior.”
According to plans by the EU’s chief diplomat Kaja Kallas, €40 billion are to be allocated for the continued armament of Ukrainian armed forces. Her proposal includes joint financing based on a distribution key that takes into account the gross national income of each EU member state. Following the latest Russian attacks, the proposal is once again gaining attention among several member states.
MEP Petr Bystron of the ESN group commented:
“The EU wants to finance the Ukrainian war machinery with another €40 billion – and Germany is supposed to pay for it. Under Ms. Kallas's distribution key, Germany would bear the lion’s share, meaning German taxpayers would be disproportionately burdened. We reject that. Instead of Germany supplying money for ammunition and prolonging the dying, we as the AfD delegation are calling for a diplomatic solution. Not a single additional euro of German taxpayer money should go to Ukraine!
This is all the more true now that the United States under President Trump is advocating for a negotiated solution to the conflict. It is disturbing that the EU so stubbornly refuses to recognize the signs of the times and contribute to a diplomatic resolution of the conflict.”
The European Court of Auditors criticizes the lack of transparency in the allocation of EU funding to non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Between 2021 and 2023, NGOs received around 7.4 billion euros, with 4.8 billion euros coming directly from the EU Commission. The report points out that there is no clear overview of how these funds are used, especially regarding lobbying activities and adherence to EU values by the NGOs. Additionally, there is no consistent definition of NGOs, further hindering transparency.
EU Member of Parliament Mary Khan of the ESN Group states:
"What has been uncovered here is a scandal: Left-wing networks are being funded with billions to push the ideological goals of the EU Commission and national governments – far from any democratic accountability.
The allocation of these funds is happening without any transparency and in the billions. The EU Commission repeatedly positions itself as a moral compass while harshly criticizing states that oppose it. However, the reality is quite the opposite. The EU Commission operates far from any democratic rules, as the latest report from the European Court of Auditors reveals.
As part of the ESN Group, we have made it our mission to expose this swamp. Whether this new scandal is just the tip of the iceberg remains to be seen. We will certainly continue to dig deeper."
The response from the European Commission to a written question by ESN Member of the European Parliament Mary Khan is sobering. Mary Khan wanted to know the financial burden in the areas of healthcare, housing, education, security, and social welfare. Instead of answers, she received vague phrases and ignorance. Mary Khan comments:
“‘We don’t know – and we don’t want to know.’ These words sum up the response of the European Commission and Commissioner Magnus Brunner briefly and clearly.”
Apparently, Brussels fears the political explosive power of honest figures. Every year, hundreds of thousands of illegal migrants enter the EU – yet no one wants to know what this costs. Those who don’t count, don’t have to take responsibility. And those who don’t measure, can gloss over everything. The refusal to provide any transparency is a slap in the face to European taxpayers.
I therefore call for an independent, country-specific, and transparent cost analysis of illegal migration. Anyone who wants to talk about migration must also talk about its consequences – honestly, based on data, and without ideological filters. Anything else is political window dressing at the expense of the citizens.
The ESN Group has submitted a motion for a European Parliament resolution calling for a strong and united response to what it sees as Germany’s departure from financial stability. The initiative highlights concerns over Germany’s use of “Sondervermögen” (special funds) and its potential impact on EU fiscal rules and overall economic stability.
Alexander Jungbluth, Member of the European Parliament for the ESN Group and member of the BUDG Committee, stated:
“The debt binge we are currently witnessing in Germany endangers not only the country’s own stability but also that of the entire European financial system. That’s why, together with the European Parliament, we are calling on the Commission to take action to ensure that the Federal Republic of Germany complies with existing EU law and stops violating the Maastricht criteria.
If the European Parliament wants to maintain its credibility when it comes to upholding European rules and laws, our resolution must be taken seriously and negotiated across party lines. There can only be one conclusion: under the leadership of Friedrich Merz, the German government is not only jeopardizing the future of its own citizens and generations to come, but also playing with the financial and economic security of the entire Eurozone.”
Siegbert Droese (ESN/AfD), Member of the European Parliament, strongly criticises the proposed EU directive on driving licence reform as well as the directive on licence withdrawal, calling them bureaucratic and patronising. As shadow rapporteur for both proposals, he took part in the negotiations and warns of the consequences for citizens and Member States – despite the ESN Group’s efforts in both trilogues to tone down the drafts:
“Under the guise of road safety, the EU aimed to push through far-reaching interference in national traffic policy. However, many of the directive’s absurd proposals – such as mandatory medical checks for seniors only, age-based speed limits, or bans on SUVs and night driving for novice drivers – were successfully blocked in negotiations thanks to the centre-right majority.
In the talks on the licence withdrawal directive, we also managed to remove the originally planned EU-wide points system. This proves that resistance to excessive EU regulation can be successful.
Still, the proposed rules remain deeply problematic, representing yet another disproportionate infringement on national sovereignty – at the expense of citizens and with no real benefit to road safety.
What we need is pragmatic transport policy that ensures safety with common sense – not more red tape and top-down control from Brussels.”
A new report reveals how the European Commission is indirectly shaping public opinion through the funding of non-governmental organisations (NGOs). According to the investigation, this has led to the creation of a dense network that promotes political narratives aligned with the EU – all without public transparency. These revelations raise serious questions about the political neutrality and democratic legitimacy of this practice.
Mary Khan, Member of the European Parliament for the ESN Group, stated:
“What the EU calls ‘value promotion’ is nothing more than a massive propaganda machine, funded with millions in taxpayer money, designed to manipulate public opinion. Whether in Georgia, Bulgaria, or Romania – we see the destructive influence of the European Union everywhere: the division into ‘good’ and ‘bad’, and targeted interference in elections and political processes.
The recent revelations about the EU Commission’s covert funding of NGOs confirm what the AfD has been warning about for years: taxpayer money is being used to support organisations that spread government-aligned narratives and suppress critical voices. This network undermines democratic plurality of opinion and serves as an indirect propaganda tool of Brussels.
As AfD and ESN, we demand full transparency regarding financial flows and an end to political influence by so-called independent actors. The new U.S. administration is setting an example by dismantling similar projects on its own soil.”
The European Commission has presented its Defence White Paper alongside the €800 billion rearmament programme Rearm Europe. A central element of this strategy is the mobilisation of private savings through the so-called Savings and Investment Union (SIU) to boost investments in the defence industry. The aim is to strengthen Europe’s defence capabilities and continue support for Ukraine.
Alexander Jungbluth, Member of the European Parliament for the ESN Group, commented:
“First, the German EU Commission President von der Leyen calls for billions in European rearmament without any mandate – and now she wants to get her hands on the savings of European citizens. For years, our money has already been handed out in the form of tax contributions to Ukraine without any oversight or transparency.
But these latest demands mark a new peak: The EU not only seeks to further limit national sovereignty but now wants to redirect individual citizens’ savings into investments for the war economy.
With this, the European Commission is increasingly and openly beating the drum for a ‘total war’ in Ukraine.
As the AfD delegation, we stand for the exact opposite of this EU – for peace, the preservation of cash, national sovereignty, and the right of savers to use their money as they see fit. Not a single cent more must go to Ukraine!”
Once again, the European Parliament is hit by a corruption scandal. Dozens of private residences have been searched across several member states, offices within the European Parliament have been sealed and investigated, and MEPs and their assistants are implicated. Our MEP, Mary Khan, a member of the JURI Committee, stated:
"For the ESN Group, this comes as no surprise. Corruption is not an 'incident'; it is a core element of how the European Parliament operates.
The root of the problem lies in the EP-Bureau, where decisions are made—without any public transparency—regarding the European Parliament's staggering annual budget of 2 billion euros. Elected MEPs from ESN and Patriots have been deliberately excluded from this process.
Millions are wasted on shady real estate projects worldwide, including the purchase and rental of excessively expensive and unnecessary properties in Paris, London, and Washington, with recently planned acquisitions even in Kyiv and Moldova."
The lifting of immunity for the MEPs implicated in this latest corruption scandal will be handled by the JURI Committee. Recently, left-wing MEPs used procedural tricks to delay the removal of immunity for Italian communist MEP Ilaria Salis, who is being prosecuted in Hungary for Antifa-related terrorist attacks. Mary Khan has already warned against similar procedural maneuvers:
"We will not tolerate any further attempts by MEPs in JURI to delay the lifting of immunity for those involved in this corruption scandal. Their immunity must be revoked immediately, without delay, so that justice can take its proper course."
The Romanian presidential candidate Călin Georgescu is no longer allowed to run in the Romanian elections. This decision was made by the central electoral office in Bucharest. Georgescu had unexpectedly won the first round of the presidential elections in November 2024. Shortly before the runoff election, the Constitutional Court annulled the first round.
AfD Member of the European Parliament Petr Bystron commented:
"The EU country Romania is swiftly abolishing democracy and is receiving support from Brussels. The annulment of the first election alone is a blatant scandal and a disgrace for the country. In the new elections, Georgescu would have likely won even more decisively – which is why they are now trying to prevent him from running altogether.
Additionally, there is an effort to damage Georgescu by all means: absurd accusations from the press and the judiciary, arrests, and the undermining of free elections.
What is happening in Romania is a disgrace for the EU – which is not only watching with a smile but also actively pulling the strings in the background. The EU is revealing its true face: While violent demonstrators are being supported against the legitimately elected government in Georgia, an attempted coup is underway in Romania.
The final decision of the Constitutional Court is still pending on Wednesday – a court that already annulled the first election on flimsy grounds. The AfD delegation strongly condemns the developments in Romania. Our political vision is a free and sovereign Europe of nations, in which the will of the people is respected."
The German EU MP of the ESN faction, Markus Buchheit (AfD), responds to EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s proposal to postpone the tightening of CO₂ fleet limits:
"The increasingly rigid fleet limits for car manufacturers are making the production of internal combustion engine vehicles ever more unprofitable. This is equivalent to a de facto ban on combustion engines. To keep our automotive industry internationally competitive, we do not just need a postponement of the tightening of fleet limits, but an end to them altogether."
Buchheit sees the fleet limits and the ban on new registrations of internal combustion engine vehicles in the EU from 2035 as primarily an ideologically driven attack on individual mobility – to the detriment of citizens' prosperity and freedom.
"The European automotive industry is falling further and further behind manufacturers, particularly from China. The main reason for this is, among other things, the absurd political coercion and the ever-increasing politically induced disadvantages of location. However, European prosperity depends significantly on the performance of the European automotive industry. With these overreaching regulations, the EU is ultimately sawing off the very branch it is sitting on," Buchheit concludes.
At a government summit in London, Ursula von der Leyen called for a "massive armament" of Ukraine. To achieve this, the EU must increase defense investments over an extended period. This means that further billions will flow into Ukraine’s war preparations.
In response, Alexander Sell, MP of the ESN faction, stated:
"This EU still has not understood the signs of the times. In Europe, citizens long for peace and stability. Von der Leyen's warlike stance is completely detached from the interests of the people in Ukraine and Europe.
While the United States is engaging in dialogue with Russia and has taken a seat at the negotiating table, the EU Commission—especially under the leadership of German Commission President Ursula von der Leyen—is calling for a continuation of the bloodshed in the East.
This war must finally come to an end. It is unacceptable that this conflict is being prolonged with multi-billion aid packages at the expense of European taxpayers, while the people on the ground continue to be used as pawns in the game of international powers.
Since its founding, the ESN faction has been advocating for peace in Europe and an end to the senseless bloodshed in Ukraine. Diplomatic relations must remain possible in all directions, even in times of crisis. Closing one’s eyes to reality and hoping for Ukraine’s victory is not only dangerous but is playing with fire, risking a Third World War."
Brussels/Bucharest, February 26, 2025 – Romanian election winner Călin Georgescu has been arrested, and his election annulled. Under the flimsy pretext of "Russian influence," the EU and Romanian authorities have launched an unprecedented political persecution. Supporters are being intimidated, homes searched, and lawyers prevented from doing their jobs. A fair trial is unthinkable under such conditions.
"The EU has lost all credibility. It is sliding further and further into authoritarianism. Now the Eurocrats are showing their true face: elections are annulled, opposition figures imprisoned – democracy is being trampled on!" criticizes Petr Bystron.
Bystron demands the immediate release of Călin Georgescu and an end to political repression. "The EU must return to democracy. Those who abolish fundamental rights and free elections do not stand for European values but for dictatorship."
LIBE-committee with ESN Group votes down the left-wing political ‘guidelines’ for the 2026 EU-budget
The members of the European Parliament's Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) met on Tuesday February 18 in Brussels.
The members of the Committee were due to vote on a report, drafted by Andrzej Halicki (PPE, Poland), giving the political guidelines to the European Commission for the spending of the huge 2026 EU-budget.
These guidelines are usually approved by the majority, and disapproved by the opposition. However, in a remarkable outcome, the draft report only got 25 votes in favour, with a clear 37 against and 5 abstentions.
With this vote, the so-called ‘old majority’ in the European Parliament lies in shatters.
The ESN MEPs opposed this draft report for several reasons:
• The report calls for continued ‘direct funding to civil society organisations’, while NGOs receive €1.7 billion in European funding every year, and this funding has led to massive corruption scandals;
• The report wants to increase the Union’s support ‘to counter hate speech’, while Europe needs more freedom of speech;
• The report asked to ‘fight the spread of disinformation at a large scale and develop more effective countermeasures’, while this is a pretext for unacceptable censorship against dissident voices and opinions.
The votes of the ESN Group, represented by MEPs Ewa ZAJACZKOWSKA (Konfederacja, Poland), Mary KHAN (AfD, Germany) and Petar VOLGIN (Revival party, Bulgaria) were again crucial in making this strong signal for freedom of speech and a clear stance against mass immigration.
Washington,
February 24, 2025
CPAC 2025 - An ESN delegation visited the Conservative Congress in Washington
Every year since 1974, the Americans have organised a major gathering of conservatives from all over the world. Once again this year, a large number of prominent figures attended the event, in the context of the recent election of Donald Trump. The ESN Group in the European Parliament naturally attended the event and sent a delegation.
Members of the European Parliament from the ESN group were able to listen to President Donald Trump and other high-level speakers. The convention showed that the members of the ESN group share many of the same values as conservatives and patriots from around the world:
People's freedom. A wind of freedom is blowing through Western democracies and the ESN Group fully shares this democratic aspiration. They support messages addressed to the convention by Elon Musk and US Vice-President JD Vance. Both underlined the dangers to freedom of expression in European democracies, which was welcomed by the ESN Group.
The sovereignty of nations. The values of independence, autonomy and sovereignty of nations were also widely reiterated at CPAC. Nigel Farage called on the various nations to remain free and sovereign.
The need to install capable and effective governments. The MEPs of the ESN Group were also able to appreciate the examples set by the President of Argentina, Javier Milei, and the Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, who have succeeded, in their respective countries, in obtaining rapid results that have been acclaimed by their populations.
The will to secure the borders. Finally, the ESN delegation at CPAC listened attentively to new Border Czar of the American administration, Mr Tom Homan, who has achieved spectacular results in 4 weeks, with a 95% drop in illegal entries into the United States.
The MEPs of the ESN Group in the European Parliament came back from this event strengthened in their fight to serve their sovereign nations.
The EU secretly funneled €132.82 million to media outlets across Europe to influence the 2024 European elections, as revealed by Il Fatto Quotidiano on February 11, 2025!
Top officials Ursula von der Leyen and Roberta Metsola, with support from the EU Council, used a framework contract with Havas Media France (Vivendi Group) to distribute funds while keeping recipients and amounts hidden. No transparency, no accountability – just taxpayer money buying EU-friendly news coverage!
Major media like Rai, Mediaset, Sky, Corriere della Sera, and Repubblica were PAID for favorable articles about Brussels. Is this journalism or propaganda?
EU institutions don’t sell products, so why hire an ad agency if not to manipulate the narrative? Democracy demands transparency, not hidden payments to the press!
ESN will demand in the European Parliament full disclosure of all media that benefited from this, and a full investigation to this unprecedented illegal manipulation of the European elections by the EU itself.
This blatant manipulation of public opinion using public funds is a disgrace. Full story by Il Fatto Quotidiano: https://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/.../ben-130.../7872331/..”
The process to revoke the immunity of Italian MEP Ilaria Salis has begun. Today, the left-wing MEP must justify herself before the JURI Committee of the European Parliament regarding violent attacks in Hungary. The resulting report will determine the next steps in the procedure. Salis, elected for the Alleanza Verdi e Sinistra after a lengthy detention in Hungary, is accused of severe hammer attacks on civilians in Hungary.
Mary Khan, MEP of the ESN Group, stated:
“At the time, the video of the hammer attacks on Hungarian civilians shocked all of Europe. We are witnessing a worrying escalation of left-wing violence in many countries. It is even more outrageous when left-wing parties undermine the rule of law by abusing parliamentary immunity to set offenders free. Viktor Orbán is right to demand the revocation of Ilaria Salis' immunity – we support this demand.
Only through decisive action can we prevent political interests from undermining the rule of law and endangering the safety and freedom of our society. Ilaria Salis belongs in prison, not in Parliament.”
Brussels – AfD Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Petr Bystron is calling for an immediate investigation into the activities of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in the European Union. The background to this demand is allegations that USAID sought to influence the 2024 European elections through disinformation campaigns in several EU countries. These allegations are based on revelations by Elon Musk and Donald Trump regarding illegal practices within USAID.
"Trump has done fantastic groundwork; now we must also quickly and comprehensively uncover illegal election interference by foreign states in Europe," said Bystron. He stated that there is a strong suspicion that foreign influence has massively manipulated the composition of the EU Parliament. "The EU must relentlessly combat all forms of hybrid warfare, foreign propaganda, and disinformation."
Bystron criticized the fact that USAID-funded media had deliberately targeted opposition forces. "Our democracy must be protected from foreign influences," said the AfD politician. He argued that it is the responsibility of European institutions to investigate these manipulations and ensure the security of future elections.
The U.S. Agency for International Development is currently facing criticism for allegedly using intelligence funds to influence elections and carry out regime changes worldwide. U.S. President Donald Trump has therefore drastically cut USAID’s budget and placed all employees on leave as of February 7.
Last Wednesday, the ESN Group awarded Tamara Lich with the "Women Fighting for Freedom" prize. Tamara Lich is a Canadian political activist and one of the main organizers of the so-called "Freedom Convoy" in 2022. This protest began as a movement by truck drivers against COVID-19 vaccination mandates and expanded into a broader protest against government measures and restrictions. The AfD Member of the European Parliament in the ESN Group, Christine Anderson, commented:
"It was a great honor for our Group to welcome Mrs. Lich as a guest in Strasbourg and later award her. Tamara Lich embodies the fight against an overbearing state and for the freedom of its citizens like no one else. Even after facing the harshest sanctions from the Canadian government and being arrested during the protests in Ottawa, Tamara Lich did not let herself be intimidated. 'They picked the wrong woman,' says Tamara Lich herself, defiantly. Her courage and commitment are an inspiration to us all."
Carola Rackete loses court case against AfD-Delegation
Carola Rackete, the german Left Party’s top candidate for the European elections, has lost a legal battle against the AfD delegation in the European Parliament at the Berlin Regional Court. Rackete had sued the delegation, seeking to prevent being referred to as a “smuggler.” However, the former captain of the "Sea-Watch" has now lost in court, which ruled that "a certain factual connection" to the term cannot be denied. Markus Buchheit, a Member of the European Parliament from the AfD delegation, commented: "What the AfD has repeatedly emphasized and made public is now legally confirmed. Carola Rackete may be referred to as a smuggler. The activities of so-called sea rescuers cannot be described otherwise. Those who lure refugees into the Mediterranean off the North African coast and then bring them to Europe like a prearranged shuttle service are smugglers! We will do everything in our power to put an end to this criminal activity!"
On migration, the Europe of Sovereign Nations (ESN) group stands for a strict and restrictive migration policy. ESN opposes the centralisation of migration policy by the European Union and believes that responsibility for migration and border management should lie entirely with individual member states. ESN opposes the European redistribution mechanism for refugees and migrants as we believe it undermines the sovereignty of countries and forces us to take in migrants against our will.
ESN sees large-scale migration as a risk to national security, culture and social cohesion and calls for strict border controls and effective protection of Europe's external borders. Furthermore, the group stresses the importance of return policies, whereby migrants without the right of residence are swiftly sent back to their countries of origin. ESN also strongly opposes legal migration programmes at European level and believes that each member state should be able to decide for itself who can or cannot enter its borders.