European People’s party declines to sign letter condemning far-right political violence

Commitment of Ursula von der Leyen's party to fighting destructive forces is in question, say signatories

A row has broken out among political parties in Europe after the centre right group to which Ursula von der Leyen belongs refused to sign a letter condemning the far right and a spate of attacks on politicians in Germany, Belgium, Spain, Sweden and Ireland.

The open letter calls on von der Leyen to reject any normalisation, cooperation or alliance with the far right and radical parties" and denounces a physical assault on the German centre-left politician Matthias Ecke. Ecke was seriously injured" after allegedly being attacked by four young men while putting up campaign posters.