The European Parliament’s pro-EU forces have agreed to block any member of the newly formed far-right group “Patriots for Europe” from joining any parliamentary committee, according to Euractiv information confirmed by two sources inside the European Parliament.

“The European People’s Party (EPP), the Socialists of the EU (S&D) and the Liberals (Renew) have agreed to implement a cordon sanitaire when it comes to the next committees of the European Parliament,” an S&D source told Euractiv.

In communication with Euractiv, an EPP official confirmed the agreement between the three groups, which according to the latest figures hold 400 seats in the 720-member parliament.

Political groups met last night to discuss their wish list for the next European Parliament committees.

Sources told Euractiv that Meloni’s European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) want the LIBE committee, which focuses on civil liberties, justice and home affairs.

The committee mainly deals with the rule of law in various countries, including Poland, which is represented in the ECR group by the right-wing PiS party.

However, despite the temporary split, an S&D official said progressive forces would do “everything” to prevent the ECR from taking the LIBE commission.

“The socialists, the liberals, the greens, the left and part of the EPP do not in any way want the ECR to take this commission and we will do everything to stop them,” the socialist official said.

“We understand that the EPP wants to please Meloni and keep her close, but LIBE, no,” the official added.

According to the list of demands seen by Euractiv, the EPP has prioritized the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET), the Committee on Budgetary Control (CONT), the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE), the Committee on Fisheries (PECH) as well as the Public Health Subcommittee (SANT).

For their part, the EU socialists have given weight to the Committee on International Trade (INTA), the Committee on Economic and Monetary Policy (ECON), the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) as well as the Committee on Regional Development (REGI ) and the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM).

The ECR also wants the Committee on Budgets (BUDG) and the Committee on Petitions (PETI), while the Liberals, Greens and Left will also have committee chairs, Euractiv has learned.