In a significant move, a close ally of French President Emmanuel Macron, Séjourné, has declared his refusal to cooperate with far-right parties in the next European Parliament. Séjourné also stated his reluctance to align with the nationalist European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group, which includes far-right parties from Poland and Spain. This decision, if upheld, could potentially thwart the formation of a right-leaning coalition in Parliament, greatly impacting progressive policymaking, including the landmark Green Deal climate legislation, which has been a cornerstone of the European Union's agenda for the past five years.

Amidst increasing support for far-right ideologies in France, with Marine Le Pen's National Rally ahead of Macron's Renaissance party in opinion polls, Séjourné emphasized the importance of countering the populist far-right narrative that Europe is spiraling out of control. He suggested that challenging this notion, epitomized by the famous Brexit slogan "take back control," would be a more effective strategy.

According to POLITICO's Poll of Polls, the ECR is on the cusp of surpassing Séjourné's Renew party, which is projected to lose 19 seats and fall to becoming the fifth largest group in Parliament, consisting of seven groups in total.

Over the past year, the center-right European People's Party (EPP) has flirted with elements of the ECR, particularly with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's right-wing populist Brothers of Italy MEPs.

Séjourné acknowledged that not all nationalist and right-wing parties can be classified in the same category. He hinted that if Eurosceptics were to distance themselves from extremist factions, he might reconsider his stance. However, he asserted that unless the ECR cleans up its ranks by distinguishing between respectable and non-respectable parties, collaboration appears strictly impossible.

While the conservatives and socialists are expected to announce their respective lead candidates in March, plans for the liberal campaign remain uncertain. Séjourné floated the idea of a team of three politicians, each representing one of the European Union's main institutions: the Commission, the Council, and the Parliament. He did not disclose whether European Council President Charles Michel, who is part of the liberals' faction, could be one of the trio.

Contrary to pessimistic polling, Séjourné expressed optimism, citing internal projections that could maintain his group at around 90 to 100 members. He attributed this potential to the rise of smaller liberal parties in Eastern Europe, which could compensate for the decline of other parties within the Liberal group.

"Based on this, I hope that we can retain our position as the kingmaker in the European Parliament and become the third-largest group," Séjourné stated confidently.