The Socialist and Democratic Group in the European Parliament has announced that it will not support the far-right motion of censure against the European Commission regarding the EU-Mercosur agreement. Romanian MEP Vasile Dîncu emphasized the group’s political responsibility and its refusal to legitimize radical initiatives, while simultaneously delivering sharp criticisms about how the Commission has handled the legislative process and its relationship with Parliament.
In a statement delivered in Brussels, Dîncu clarified that the Socialist and Democratic Group would distance itself from the censure motion spearheaded by the „Patriots for Europe” group. He labeled this decision as a matter of „political responsibility” and expressed concern over attempts by certain factions—specifically those aligning with far-right groups—to undermine democratic coherence within European institutions. Dîncu noted that despite this refusal to endorse the motion, he condemned the European Commission for its tendency to marginalize the European Parliament, accusing it of employing rushed procedures that bypass open political debate.
To summarize the key points:
1. The S&D MEPs will not sign the motion of censure, rejecting any efforts that might legitimize extreme right-wing initiatives.
2. Dîncu criticized the European People’s Party (EPP) for its prior alignment with far-right factions, warning that such actions diminish trust between political families.
3. While opposing the motion, Dîncu expressly condemned the Commission for its „marginalization of the European Parliament” through accelerated procedures.
Dîncu highlighted that the decision to refrain from signing the censure motion was not due to “institutional conformism” but rather a principled stand against the far-right. He stated, “We do not legitimize initiatives that are built around extreme-right narratives and their fleeting alliances.” He expressed disappointment that the EPP, a traditional ally of the S&D, has often chosen to align with far-right forces, which, according to him, weakens mutual trust among political groups.
Regarding the Mercosur agreement itself, Dîncu sought to clarify misconceptions that have been circulated publicly. He firmly denied that Romanian social-democrats voted for market opening without protections, asserting instead their support for compensation mechanisms for farmers facing potential impacts. While he acknowledged that the livestock sector might face challenges, he called for accurate assessments of impacts rather than resorting to “slogans” and “alarmism.” Addressing concerns over food safety, he described the idea of an „invasion” of sub-standard products as a “myth,” pointing out that exporting countries must adhere to EU standards. The real challenge, he insisted, lies in effective monitoring and enforcement.
Despite this, Dîncu was critical of the European Commission’s processes. He argued that the Commission has displayed a troubling tendency to bypass the European Parliament by rushing procedures and avoiding substantive political discussions. He warned that such actions only feed the populist and nationalist rhetoric often deplored in political discourse. Ultimately, he dismissed the censure motion as a tool primarily for generating political capital for anti-EU forces, advocating instead for serious analyses and a stronger oversight role for Parliament.
In conclusion, while the Socialist and Democratic Group does not support the far-right censure motion, it simultaneously calls for a reevaluation of the European Commission’s approach to legislative processes and the need for maintaining the integrity of parliamentary oversight.