Tory EP group seeks alliance with new German anti-EU party

Despite the poor result for the UK Conservatives - which lost seven EP seats in the 2014 election - the political group where they belong in the European Parliament, the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR), seemed to have secured its survival.

With the minimum requirements guaranteed, the ECR eyed above all the German anti-euro AfD party, a newcomer party that gained 7 MEPs after the election.

ESO: Background information: [European elections 2014 in Germany: Results] Germany's centre-right wins election, Eurosceptics near 7% http://www.europeansources.info/record/european-elections-2014-in-germany-results-germanys-centre-right-wins-election-eurosceptics-near-7/

ESO: Background information: [European elections 2014 in the United Kingdom: Results] UKIP clinch European elections victory, Lib Dems plunge http://www.europeansources.info/record/european-elections-2014-in-the-united-kingdom-results-ukip-clinch-european-elections-victory-lib-dems-plunge/

EurActiv, 03.06.14: Germany's Eurosceptic AfD sidelines development policy http://www.euractiv.com/sections/development-policy/germanys-eurosceptic-afd-sidelines-development-policy-302566

BBC News, 03.06.14: New German party causes Cameron EU Parliament dilemma http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-27685195

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