But she indicated she would be open to a deal with the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group, whose members include Italy’s right-wing Brothers of Italy and Poland’s nationalist Law and Justice party, which has tangled with Brussels over the rule of law.

The two groups are expected to increase their presence in the next European Parliament, according to POLITICO poll of polls.

In 2019, von der Leyen was appointed with the support of the EPP, the Socialists, the Greens and the liberal Renew Europe group. These parties have historically pledged to avoid working with what they describe as anti-European forces.

The declaration, which was also signed by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and former climate Commissioner Frans Timmermans, called for “all democratic European parties” to follow the Socialist’s example and “firmly reject any normalisation, cooperation or alliance with the far-right.”

“We expect them to include this formally and unequivocally in their election manifestos and party declarations,” it said.