Andrew Duff joins new group in European Parliament
July 13, 2004 5:30 PM
Andrew Duff, Liberal Democrat Euro MP for the East of England, has today joined the formation of a new group in the newly elected European Parliament.
This is called the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) and already comprises 88 MEPs. It is made up of the old, smaller Liberal group (ELDR) of which Mr Duff was a member in the last Parliament plus several French members from the centre-right UDF party and several Italian members who support Romano Prodi, leader of the opposition to Silvio Berlusconi.
Speaking at the opening session of the new Group, Andrew Duff said:
"The new formation strengthens the pro-European progressive forces in the Parliament. It is a direct result of the decision of the Christian Democrats to consolidate their alliance with the right wing, Eurosceptical British Tories. That unholy alliance has propelled many Italian and French MEPs towards the Liberal family.
"Together we are committed to bringing the Constitution into force, to completing the single market and supporting membership of the euro, and to strengthening Europe's environmental policy. The new large group will be a force to be reckoned with, and enlarges my own capacity as East of England's Lib Dem MEP to make my voice heard in Brussels and Strasbourg."
ENDS/...
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