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15 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 2 JUNE 2024 EWROPEJ as the upcoming migration from the EPP of Hungarian PM Victor Orban's Fidesz party, and the pro-Russian AUR party from Romania. This melange of parties puts the Rus- sia question at the heart of potential disagreements between Eastward-look- ing parties and the Atlantic drift. The ECR's manifesto focuses on re- storing national sovereignty, safe- guarding borders, and reasserting con- trol over national laws, prioritising the belief that nations should be empow- ered to make their own decisions with- out undue interference from suprana- tional bodies. Identity and Democracy (ID) The far-right Identity and Democ- racy (ID) Group collects Europe's na- tionalist parties and in recent years has gained a significant upsurge even within the EP with its brand of scepti- cism towards the EU's current integra- tionist policies. Their manifesto is all about strict immigration controls, the protection of national borders, and the preservation of cultural heritage. Typ- ically this would be the natural home to a far-right party like Malta's Impe- rium Europa, but ID has also refused neo-Nazi parties like Greece's Golden Dawn. ID's leadership includes influential figures from across the right-wing spectrum such as spitzenkandidat Ma- rine Le Pen, leader of France's Nation- al Rally, Matteo Salvini of Italy's Lega, and Geert Wilders of the Netherlands' Party for Freedom. Renew Europe (Renew) The centrist Renew Europe (RE) group in the European Parliament is a coalition of liberal, pro-European par- ties advocating for a progressive agen- da, which is now in the main led by French MEPs from Emanuel Macron's La République En Marche! party. Grounded in liberalism and pro-Eu- ropeanism, championing a vision of a united and progressive Europe, the group has often swung major votes to left or right depending on where leg- islation fits on its agenda of economic growth, social inclusion, environmen- tal sustainability, and digital innova- tion. Their manifesto's main proposals in- clude EU reform and greater transpar- ency and accountability, investments in green technologies and social poli- cies that promote equality, gender bal- ance, and, advocating for a more inclu- sive and cohesive European society. Apart from influential figures such as spitzenkandidat Sandro Gozi, oth- er prominent leaders include Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, and Com- petition Commissioner Margrethe Ve- stager. The European Greens (Greens-EFA) ADPD Since inception, Alternattiva Demokratika – Malta's Green Party – has enjoyed close relations to their European political family, whose sec- retary-general at one time was former AD candidate Arnold Cassola, today an independent politician. As Europe's main formation of green, environmentalist, and progressive par- ties, they remain a vital force in the Eu- ropean Parliament whose votes cham- pion environmentalism, social justice, human rights, policies that address the climate crisis and which promote re- newable energy. Inside the EP they have been steadfast in voting for policies that hasten the Green Deal and achieving climate neu- trality by 2050, with ambitious targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, investments in green technologies, and biodiversity conservation, often put- ting them at odds with the EPP's bid to rationalise these ambitions. The Greens are led by influential fig- ures such as German MEP Ska Keller, who has been a vocal advocate for cli- mate action and social justice within the European Parliament. Other prom- inent leaders include Austrian MEP Werner Kogler, known for his work on environmental and social issues, and Dutch MEP Bas Eickhout, who focuses on sustainable development and green innovation. Their spitzenkandidat is Terry Reint- ke, 36, the co-President of the Greens, who hailing from the industrial region of the Ruhr area, has learnt that the green transition of industry must go hand in hand with social justice. The group also includes notable EU officials, such as European Green Deal Commissioner Frans Timmermans, who has been instrumental in driv- ing the EU's climate agenda. Another key figure is Swedish MEP Alice Bah Kuhnke, who advocates for human rights and social inclusion within the legislative body. The Left The Left group in the European Par- liament is a coalition of left-wing, pro- gressive, and socialist parties advo- cating for radical social and economic reform, the redistribution of wealth, the protection of workers' rights, and the provision of universal social servic- es. The Left is critical of neoliberal eco- nomic policies and seeks to create a more equitable and inclusive society. In terms of governance, the Left calls for greater democratic participation and accountability in EU institutions. They seek to empower citizens and promote policies that reflect the needs and interests of ordinary people, rather than corporate elites. Influential figures include spitzen- kandidat Walter Baier, German MEP Martin Schirdewan, Spanish MEP Manon Aubry, and Greek MEP Dimi- trios Papadimoulis. The group also includes notable EU officials, such as Economic and Finan- cial Affairs Commissioner Paolo Gen- tiloni, who has been instrumental in promoting progressive economic poli- cies within the EU. This article forms part of a content series called Ewropej. This is a multi-newsroom initiative part-funded by the European Parliament to bring the work of the EP closer to the citizens of Malta and keep them informed about matters that affect their daily lives. These articles reflect only the authors' views. The action was co-financed by the European Union in the frame of the European Parliament's grant programme in the field of communication. The European Parliament was not involved in its preparation and is, in no case, responsible for or bound by the information or opinions expressed in the context of this action. In accordance with applicable law, the authors, interviewed people, publishers or programme broadcasters are solely responsible. The European Parliament can also not be held liable for direct or indirect damage that may result from the implementation of the action. Ursula von der Leyen, Nicolas Schmit, Terry Reintke, Sandro Gozi and Walter Baier