The ECR Group is a centre-right political group in the European Parliament, founded in 2009 with a common cause to reform the ... EU based on euro-realism, respecting the sovereignty of nations, and focusing on economic recovery, growth and competitiveness. From its 8 founding Member States with 54 MEPs in 2009, we now have 62 members from 15 EU Member States. EUROREALISTS, not anti-European Euro-realism is the driving force of the ECR Group, which distinguishes our agenda from the other political groups in the European Parliament. The European Union needs a new direction. Some argue that the solution is more Europe, others that the solution is no Europe. We offer a bold alternative vision of a reformed EU as a community of nations cooperating in areas where they have some common interests that can best be advanced by working together. We are the voice of COMMON SENSE The European Union has overreached. It has become too centralised, too ambitious, and too out of touch with ordinary citizens. We believe in restoring common sense in Brussels - advocating for the equal treatment of all Member States, pushing the EU to be more fiscally responsible, finding new ways to connect people and business, creating solutions to the migrant crisis and the terrorist threat, and adopting a global approach to increase EU competitiveness on the world stage. ALTERNATIVE AGENDA for the EU The ECR Group is at the forefront of generating forward-looking policy proposals to design a reformed European Union that is more flexible, decentralised and respects the wishes of its Member States. Only an EU that truly listens to its people can offer real solutions to the problems we face today. We believe in cutting red tape, in an EU run by national governments not Brussels bureaucrats, in doing less but better, in an immigration system that works, in spending taxpayer money wisely, but most of all, we believe in fostering an EU that is safe, secure, competitive, and prosperous for all. read more