Les Engagés leaves EPP to join Renew Europe in European Parliament

The French-speaking Belgian centrist party Les Engagés has left the European People's Party (EPP) to join the European Democratic Party (EDP), one of the two branches of the Renew Europe group in the European Parliament.
The transfer was made official on Thursday at a press conference in the European Parliament by Maxime Prévot, leader of Les Engagés, François Bayrou, leader of the PDE, and Valérie Hayer, leader of the Renew Europe group.
"Joining the family of the European Democratic Party is a step in a new direction that is more in line with our modern values, which are moving further and further away from the conservative ideas of the EPP, for example on the environment and migration," said Prévot, whose party controls eight seats in the European Parliament.
Les Engagés, which has its origins in Belgium's Christian pillar, has made a remarkable comeback since shaking off its religious imprint. In the 9 June elections, the party rose from five to 14 seats in Belgium's 150-seat Chamber of Representatives.
The centrist party is a likely partner in the formation of Belgium's new federal government, which is still being negotiated. At the European level, Renew Europe is negotiating to renew the outgoing majority in support of a possible Von der Leyen II Commission.
Les Engages leader Maxime Prévot during a post-election party meeting on 9 June 2024 © BELGA PHOTO BRUNO FAHY
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