European Conservatives and Reformists

Poland's Law and Justice party has split, with former PM Mateusz Morawiecki breaking from leader Jarosław Kaczyński to form a rival right-wing group. The split may impact current PM Donald Tusk ahead of the 2027 election, while other topics include Belgium's Charleroi Airport closure plans and Montenegro's EU language addition.

The European Parliament's legal affairs committee blocked efforts by Slovenian authorities to lift the parliamentary immunity of Slovenian lawmaker Matej Tonin, who faces allegations of abuse of office. Right-wing political groups, including Tonin's party, voted to overturn a recommendation to remove his immunity, citing inconsistencies in the evidence and claims of political persecution.

EU conservative politicians are visiting Washington to address strained relations with President Donald Trump, driven by recent disputes over Greenland, tariffs, and military interventions. The trip aims to repair transatlantic ties amid growing tensions between Trump and European leaders.

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola must decide whether to sanction two MEPs accused of hate speech after a vote on EU migration rules. Valérie Hayer from Renew Europe and Swedish MEP Abir Al-Sahlani filed complaints against Danish MEP Kristoffer Storm and Finnish MEP Sebastian Tynkkynen, who are accused of racist remarks following a contentious vote on deportations.

The European Parliament approved the Return Regulation to expedite deportations of illegal migrants, with right-wing lawmakers chanting 'send them back' and left-wing members responding with 'shame on you.' The legislation allows up to 24-month detentions and return hubs in third countries, facing criticism from human rights groups and some lawmakers who called it dehumanizing.

Czech MEP Nikola Bartůšek is set to join the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group in the EU Parliament, solidifying ECR as the fourth-largest group with 82 seats. The move aligns with political groups preparing for a mid-term reshuffle in 2027, where key positions including the European Parliament president will be contested.

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola has requested an investigation into Luxembourg MEP Fernand Kartheiser for potentially breaching conduct rules by meeting Russian officials and attending a Putin-linked forum. Kartheiser, previously expelled from his political group over a Moscow trip, has held multiple meetings with Russian Duma members and signed a joint declaration with them, raising concerns about misrepresenting the Parliament's stance.