Four political groups in the European Parliament have issued a joint declaration ‘In Defence of Democracy’. The declaration from the Socialists, Renew, the Greens and the Left is undoubtedly sincere statement of concern about the threat to democratic freedoms. But it should be read in the context not just of the European Elections but of what might come afterwards, writes Political Editor Nick Powell.

An expected shift to the right in the elections might give the largest group, the EPP the choice of cooperating with the group to the right of it, the ECR. Neither the EPP nor the ECR have signed the declaration, but it is supported by the centre and centre left groups with which the EPP has traditionally cooperated to find a majority for crucial votes. This includes the appointment of candidates to key roles within the Parliament itself and also the ratification of the European Commission President and Commissioners.

The declaration can therefore be seen as a challenge to the EPP in particular to sign up as well and rule out any dalliance with the ECR. When the ECR’s largest member, PiS, was in power in Poland, that country was frequently accused in the Parliament of backsliding on the commitment to European values which is meant to be part of EU membership.

The declaration reads as follows:

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