The leaders of Debout la France and Forum for Democracy have announced today their intention to join the ECR Group following the European elections in May 2019. Nicolas Dupont-Aignan, who leads French party Debout la France, and Thierry Baudet, who leads Dutch party Forum for Democracy, both presented declarations with ECR co-chair professor Ryszard Legutko that outline their shared views on Europe as we approach the European elections.

The leaders of two political parties have announced today their intention to join the ECR Group following the European elections in May.

Nicolas Dupont-Aignan, who leads French party Debout la France, and Thierry Baudet, who leads Dutch party Forum for Democracy, both presented declarations with ECR co-chair professor Ryszard Legutko that outline their shared views on Europe as we approach the European elections in May.

Speaking after the announcement, Legutko said:

“I am delighted that Debout La France and Forum for Democracy have announced their intention to join the ECR after the elections. They share our belief that the EU has overreached and that the days of ever more centralisation in Brussels must end.

“The ECR Group will continue to grow into and beyond the European elections in May and will be the strongest voice for securing real change and genuine reform in Europe.”

Nicolas Dupont-Aignan said: “This is the first time that a French sovreigntist movement brings together all the euro-realist partners to Paris. We have never been against Europe and cooperation, we support a Europe of independent nations. Times are changing, the bureaucrats and federalists are losing their monopoly in Brussels. We offer a different path, that respects national democracies and offers flexible cooperation among European states.”

Thierry Baudet added: “The ECR Group have proven themselves to be the only credible voice for a turnaround in Brussels and for a Europe that respects its Member States. We cannot continue to ignore voters who in election after election have called for change but yet continue to see more and more powers transferred to the EU. This has to stop.”