Suspending Fidesz is EU party group’s short-term fix

Significance

The suspension, which has no official expiry date, is likely to last until the European Parliament (EP) elections in May. By not excluding Fidesz, as 14 member parties had requested, EPP has weathered a crisis and will remain stable until the elections. Suspension was sufficient to keep all members on board.

Impacts

• Fidesz’s continued EPP membership will reduce the chances of a new, broad, far-right Eurosceptic alliance.
• By handling a major crisis to all parties’ benefit, Weber has strengthened his position as EPP candidate for Commission president.
• Hungary’s opposition will be unable to benefit from the suspension owing to Fidesz’s monopoly on interpreting it at home.