Brussels, 20 May 2026
The Left group has responded critically to the recent S&D climate tribune signed by the Greens, accusing Social Democrats of condemning far-right cooperation in public while continuing to seek compromises with the European People’s Party (EPP) in legislative negotiations.
Left MEPs said they agreed with the substance of the anti–far-right declaration, but criticised what they described as S&D’s “selective outrage” and reliance on centrist compromises.
The full statement is reproduced below.
When Words Go Left, But Votes Go Right: The Left Will Not Be Cover for Centrist Compromise
Brussels, 18th May 2026
It has come to the attention of The Left MEPs that S&D and the Greens have condemned in an open letter the dismantling of the cordon sanitaire and the increasing normalisation of cooperation with far-right MEPs in the European Parliament.
Although we fully agree with the content of the statement, The Left finds it difficult to ignore the selective outrage of those who publicly condemn this development while continuing, in practice, to seek compromise with the same right-wing EPP in legislative negotiations. S&D repeatedly claim to defend progressive politics, yet when political convenience is on the table, they choose deals with the EPP over the Left’s and Greens’ progressive alternatives. When choices arise, they turn right.
The result is a weakened legislative agenda. On climate policy, ambition is systematically diluted into rhetoric. On workers’ rights, safeguards are replaced with vague commitments, while substantial flexibilities are granted to corporations.
Ahead of the upcoming negotiations, The Left rejects this double standard. For S&D to stay truthful to their new commitment, The Left calls on them to translate words into actions by joining progressive forces and backing the common agenda.
The Left will not serve as a cover for a centrist consensus that talks progressive but delivers conservative outcomes.
Eleonore Shalomita Hana (IT)
Denis Lerasle (NL)
Martin de Montille (FI)
Jared Ong (EL)
Ida Welén (IE)