Overview
- The European People's Party leader told Funke Mediengruppe he does not rule out voting with ultraright parties on issues such as migration or the combustion‑engine file.
- He emphasized there will be no structured cooperation with radical right groups, saying his bloc will act to stop illegal migration and protect prosperity.
- Weber defended November’s cross‑bloc vote that weakened EU supply‑chain rules, insisting the firewall to the far right remains and calling the AfD antieuropean and a mouthpiece for Vladimir Putin.
- The European Commission proposed in mid‑December to ease the 2035 combustion‑engine phaseout by allowing sales of combustion and hybrid cars after that date while keeping most new registrations electric.
- Those auto proposals now move into months of negotiations between the European Parliament and EU member states, as Weber invites centrist partners and notes positive signals from Social Democrats ahead of next year’s state elections.