French Member of the European Parliament Laurent Castillo will leave the European People’s Party (EPP) and join the right-wing Patriots for Europe group, according to multiple sources. The move would further reduce the French delegation within the EPP, which would fall to just five members.
Castillo is affiliated in France with the Union of the Right for the Republic, a right-wing party founded by Éric Ciotti.
The switch follows months of internal tension within the EPP, particularly involving its French members. In October, Castillo was one of four French EPP lawmakers who voted in favour of a no-confidence motion against European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen. The motion, tabled by Jordan Bardella of the Patriots, ultimately failed, but it exposed divisions within the EPP group. Alongside Castillo, François-Xavier Bellamy, Christophe Gomart, and Céline Imart also broke ranks, dealing a significant blow to EPP leader Manfred Weber.
The rebellion was largely driven by opposition to the EU’s proposed Mercosur trade agreement, which was signed on January 17th despite strong opposition from farmers.
Rassemblement national MEP Thierry Mariani welcomed Castillo’s move, saying: “If he joins us, it’s very good news, since he’s someone who defends our positions and whom we esteem highly.” Castillo has not publicly commented on the reports.
