Centrists Forced to Court Far-Right as EU Gridlock Deepens

The European Parliament President Roberta Metsola will headline the inaugural SiGMA Central Europe event in Rome this November, signaling a pivotal moment in the bloc's political landscape as centrist forces grapple with unprecedented challenges in passing legislation. The conference, set to take place from November 3–6 at Fiera Roma, will also feature Italy's Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani and over 550 speakers, reflecting the convergence of policy and industry leadership in a city steeped in historical significance, according to coverage of the SiGMA Central Europe event. Metsola's keynote comes amid growing uncertainty in the EU, where centrist coalitions have historically dominated but now face pressure to work with the far right to secure legislative majorities.

Metsola's remarks at the event will follow a contentious vote in the European Parliament earlier this month, where lawmakers rejected a proposal to simplify corporate sustainability rules. The 318–309 defeat highlighted deepening ideological divides, with Socialist members rebelling against a deal backed by the European People's Party (EPP), Renew, and the Socialists and Democrats. The vote has sparked criticism from national leaders, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who called the decision a "fatal mistake" in a report that said the European Parliament had rejected simplified sustainability rules. Metsola has acknowledged the need for pragmatic alliances, stating that centrist forces may no longer always secure majorities without incorporating far-right support, though she emphasized her preference for center-based governance.

The political tensions underscore broader challenges for the EU as it prepares for the COP30 climate summit in November. The Parliament has outlined priorities for COP30 including a renewed commitment to limiting global warming to 1.5°C, ending fossil fuel dependence, and accelerating energy transitions. These goals face hurdles as member states push for flexible climate targets and simplified regulatory frameworks. Metsola's role in brokering compromises will be critical, particularly as the EPP considers aligning with far-right factions to advance deregulation packages. "Some positions cannot be bridged, but many can," she said, highlighting pragmatic cooperation on issues like defense funding and agriculture policy.

The SiGMA event, which will host 30,000 delegates from over 150 countries, also coincides with rising concerns about Italy's economic governance. Recent data revealed a 6 billion-euro increase in tax evasion from 2021 to 2022, complicating Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's efforts to balance anti-evasion measures with cash payment liberalization, a trend described as tax evasion worse than thought. The event's focus on policy and public sector engagement may offer a platform to address such challenges, though the EU's legislative gridlock remains a dominant theme.