Manfred Weber, president of the European People's Party (EPP), has warned that the European Union cannot afford to destroy its industrial base in the name of climate action. Speaking to Euronews' Europe Today as a severe heatwave swept across the continent, Weber insisted that climate policies must be "reasonable from a business perspective."
The EPP, the largest political group in the European Parliament, has been instrumental in shaping the EU's Green Deal but has recently pushed to soften some of its provisions to protect industrial competitiveness. Weber emphasized the need for balance: "What we are asking for is to be reasonable in the business aspect. So we need a common understanding to bring things in balance."
Weber defended the use of air conditioning as a necessity, even though it can contribute to greenhouse gas emissions when powered by fossil fuels. He pointed to solar energy as a solution: "We have the big advantage that you can easily use the solar energy for air conditioning."
Migration Policy Under Fire
On migration, Weber sharply criticized Spain's ambitious plan to regularize undocumented migrants, which has already attracted over one million applications. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has argued that immigration is essential to sustain the country's aging economy, warning that Spain could lose 19% of its GDP by 2050 without it.
Weber, however, sees the mass regularization as a problem for the entire EU. "I would expect that also leaders speak about this kind of massive, one million people-legalisation," he said, noting that regularized migrants would gain the freedom to move across the Schengen area, affecting other member states. "One million [people] in a few weeks to be legalised, that is not a normal procedure."
The EPP leader also defended the recent European Parliament approval of legislation allowing the establishment of return centres for irregular migrants outside the EU, despite criticism over potential human rights violations. He did not specify whether EU funds should finance these centres or which non-EU countries could host them, saying only: "We have partners in Africa, in the Middle East, where we can work with. But it is now up to the member states."
Weber's comments come as the EPP seeks to extend free carbon permits for heavy industry beyond 2030, a move that has drawn criticism from environmental groups. The party's stance reflects a broader tension within the EU between ambitious climate targets and the need to maintain economic competitiveness, especially as the bloc faces pressure from the US and China.
Meanwhile, the deadly heatwave has reignited debates about climate adaptation. The European Commission has recently shifted its focus to adaptation measures, as seen in Brussels' new strategy. The EPP's position, however, suggests that industrial interests remain a priority for the center-right majority in the European Parliament.
