“We managed to bring our political group to the center of developments, never before have the Liberals had so much power in Europe.” With these words, the French MEP Valerie Ayer, vice-president of the political group of the Liberals (Renew Europe) in the European Parliament, announced the start of the pre-election campaign in Brussels in mid-March. Indeed, after the 2019 European elections, the Liberals emerged as a regulator of political developments, decisively contributing to the election of Ursula von der Leyen to the presidency of the Commission. Together, of course, with the European Socialists (S&D) and the European People’s Party (EPP).

Six of the 27 European leaders today come from the Liberal political family, among them French President Emmanuel Macron. The Liberals have similar representation in the Commission. But the president of the European Council, Charles Michel, also belongs to the same political group. In the seats of Strasbourg and Brussels, the Liberals have 102 MPs and are the third largest political group.

“Eurofighter” for Brussels

The correlations of power will change in the European elections, if the findings of the opinion polls are confirmed for the imminent rise of the ultra-conservative and ethno-populist parties. According to the latest estimates, the Liberals are at risk of losing a fifth of their seats, with the result that they are only the fifth largest group in the new European Parliament, behind the populist alliance “Identity and Democracy” (ID), but also the group of the “European Conservatives and Reformists” (ECR).

But even in this case, they can play a pivotal role for the possible re-election of Ursula von der Leyen as the head of the Commission. Eric Morris, an analyst at the European Policy Center (EPC) in Brussels, believes that “the Renew Europe group has not finalized its decision. He may threaten a veto if he is led to the conclusion that von der Leyen is reaching out to ultra-conservative political forces.”

Unlike the EPP or the Socialists, the Liberals did not name a single “top candidate” who will lead the pre-election campaign, claiming post-election leadership of the Commission. Instead, they have appointed a group of three top executives, which they call Team Europe: the German Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmerman, the French Valerie Ayer and the Italian Sandro Gozzi. Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmerman, head of the Defense Affairs Committee of the German Parliament, is called “Eurofighter” in the pre-election spots, who became known even outside the borders by asking for as much equipment as possible to be sent to Ukraine.

Defense, economy, rights

In terms of their programmatic positions, the European Liberals have set ten priorities. These include the strengthening of European civil defense, a new legislative framework for the digital economy and the proposal of the environment and the safeguarding of the rights of the LGBTI+ community. In addition, they request a change in the European Treaties and their enrichment with elements of direct democracy.

And one more priority: “We remain firmly in the area of ​​the Center, there is no flirtation, not even any hint of rapprochement with the extremists and populists,” the French Valerie Ayer clarifies. Political analyst Eric Morris reckons the poll result will once again show France’s Liste Renaissance as Renew Europe’s biggest national group, but that won’t prevent a lively debate within the group over whether the French centrist is compromising with traditionally liberal ideas.

Edited by: Yiannis Papadimitriou