Update: ECR Group expels Luxembourg MEP Fernand Kartheiser
Kartheiser was in the Russian capital at the start of last week for a multi-day political visit, during which he met with Russian officials. His trip sparked immediate backlash, particularly from his own group in the European Parliament, the right-wing European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR).
The group’s co-chairs, Nicola Procaccini and Patryk Jaki, announced they were initiating procedures to expel him from the faction, stating that by travelling to “Putin’s Russia,” he had violated core principles of the group, which remains firmly committed to Ukraine’s sovereignty and holds the Kremlin responsible for the ongoing war of aggression.
The vote on Kartheiser’s expulsion is scheduled to take place within the group this Wednesday at 2pm.
Kartheiser has so far defended his trip, claiming that Russian officials were open, polite, and willing to engage on a range of topics, including migration, security policy, civilian protection in Ukraine, and human rights. He said the discussions reflected a mutual understanding and a clear interest in dialogue.
Regarding the ECR’s move to expel him, Kartheiser expressed uncertainty about the procedure and whether he would be given a chance to explain his position. He ruled out stepping down voluntarily and said he had not yet decided whether to join another political group, though he had received an offer. Remaining in Strasbourg as an independent MEP was also a possibility, he noted.
On the war in Ukraine, Kartheiser called for a humanitarian ceasefire and stated his belief that Russia is open to peace, pointing to the existence of ongoing talks, even if reaching agreements remains difficult.
