MEP Laurent Castillo Joins Patriots from EPP, Rejecting Von der Leyen Agenda and Mercosur Deal’s Threat to Farmers

Strasbourg, 20/01/2026 - Jordan Bardella, President of the Patriots for Europe group, and all the group's MEPs welcome the adhesion to the Patriots group of Professor Laurent Castillo, MEP since 2024, previously a member of the European People's Party (EPP) group.

While the EPP continues to give its unreserved support to the European Commission chaired by Ursula von der Leyen and its technocratic agenda, Laurent Castillo has chose to break with a line that betrays the interests of the people, particularly through the free trade agreement with the Mercosur countries, which poses a real threat to our farmers and our food sovereignty.

The EPP's support for the European Commission's policies entails a heavy responsibility in economic, agricultural and migration matters. By joining Patriots for Europe, Laurent Castillo is affirming his rejection of this federalist rush forward and his commitment to a Europe of nations that respects the democratic choices of its Member States and the interests of its peoples.

He is now joining the only credible alternative to the policy pursued by the von der Leyen Commission and its supporters. Through this membership, we reiterate our call to all patriotic, sovereigntist elected representatives who are committed to the freedom of peoples : the time has come to unite within the leading opposition group, the only force capable of proposing an alternative path for Europe, based on the sovereignty of nations and the protection of Europe's economies, agriculture and peoples.

Laurent Castillo will represent the UDR within the Patriots for Europe.