EU conservatives vote with far right to approve cuts to green rules

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🗞️ Driving the news: The European Parliament voted to weaken several green reporting and due diligence rules, as the center-right European People’s Party (EPP) joined forces with far-right and right-wing groups to pass the EU’s first “simplification” package
• The vote raises the threshold for which companies must report their environmental impact and eliminates mandatory climate transition plans, marking a major rollback in EU sustainability regulation

🔭 The context: The bill, a flagship initiative of Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s second term, aims to reduce administrative burdens on European businesses
• However, it has exposed deep political divisions in Brussels
• The EPP, traditionally aligned with centrists and liberals, opted to partner with far-right parties such as Patriots for Europe and Europe of Sovereign Nations to secure passage
• The move drew outrage from the Greens and Social Democrats, who accused conservatives of “destroying Europe’s green credibility”

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: This decision represents a significant shift in EU climate and corporate sustainability policy
• By loosening environmental disclosure and due diligence requirements, thousands of mid-sized companies will be exempt from reporting emissions and supply-chain impacts
• Critics warn it could undermine the EU Green Deal, weaken investor transparency, and slow progress toward the bloc’s 2030 climate goals
• Supporters argue it will ease red tape and strengthen European competitiveness amid global economic pressures

⏭️ What's next: The legislation now moves to trilogue negotiations with the European Council and European Commission, where final language will be determined
• Environmental groups are preparing lobbying efforts to restore stronger safeguards before the final vote in early 2026
• The episode also signals that the EPP may continue working with far-right factions on economic and regulatory issues — a development that could reshape EU policymaking dynamics for the rest of the mandate

💬 One quote: “Today’s vote marks a sad moment for our European values. The EPP’s alliance with the far right will only create more instability in Europe,” — Kira Marie Peter-Hansen, Greens negotiator (Denmark)

📈 One stat: The final vote tally stood at 382 in favor, 249 against, and 13 abstentions, underscoring a sharp ideological split in Parliament over the future of the EU Green Deal

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