Elena Yoncheva and Taner Kabilov both Members of the European Parliament elected from the quota of the Movement for Rights and Freedoms are to join the group of European Conservatives and Reformists. The announcement was made on 8 July 2026, at the beginning of the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg. Until now, both MEPs had been independent since they left the Renew Europe group at the end of 2024.
Now after Yoncheva and Taner Kabilov have joined, the ECR Group is now made up of 84 members representing 19 countries. This is the fourth largest political family which allows it to uphold decisive positions on matters where opinions can be contradictory and consensus is difficult to reach.
The unifying goal of the ECR group in the EP is to reform the EU on the basis of Eurorealism, respect for national sovereignty and a focus on economic recovery, growth and competitiveness.
Bulgaria can rely on the ECR on matters related to the Schengen area, the protection of external borders, cohesion policy and the protection of national interests within the EU. The group opposes the restriction of excessive centralisation in the EU. Regarding energy and climate change, the ECR is critical of policies which it considers weaken European industry, competitiveness or energy security. ECR representatives defend religious freedom and European cultural traditions by opposing radicalisation and extremism.