Left Blocked from EUROLAT Leadership Role in European Parliament

During the election of vice-presidents for the Euro-Latin American Parliamentary Assembly (EUROLAT), the Left was blocked from reclaiming the 2nd Vice-Chair position through a maneuver by right-wing groups. The far-right “Patriots for Europe” nominated their own candidate, while the center-right EPP also put forward a contender. In the second round of voting, the Left’s nominee, João Oliveira, was ultimately defeated.

“The maneuver that blocked our group from reclaiming the 2nd Vice-Chair position in EUROLAT will not stop those of us who denounce the EU’s policies of interference in Latin America,” said Left MEP João Oliveira (PCP, Portugal).

The co-chairs of the Left, Manon Aubry (La France Insoumise, France) and Martin Schirdewan (DIE LINKE, Germany), added: “The European Parliament’s right-wing has violated the political balance to block us from positions we rightfully hold. The only Cordon Sanitaire should apply to the far-right, who undermine democracy. This is a clear attempt to marginalize voices that denounce the EU’s complicity in violent, destabilizing actions by far-right forces. We will continue to fight against the neoliberal and militaristic agenda increasingly pushed by the EU.”