Manfred Weber: EPP will stop the ban on ICE cars in the EU

Brussels, Belgium – In one of the most anticipated political moves of the autumn, the leader of the European People's Party (EPP), Manfred Weber, stirred up a storm in Brussels with his categorical statement that he will insist on a complete repeal of the European Union's planned ban on internal combustion engine (ICE) cars. This proposal, which is expected to be officially presented in the autumn, could cause a serious rift in the community's policy aimed at climate neutrality.

Weber's statement, cited by DPA and distributed by BTA, was made to the influential German newspaper _Welt_. In it, he makes a firm promise to European citizens to end the controversial ban. However, the EPP leader clearly emphasizes that this does not mean a retreat from the EU's overall climate goals. On the contrary, he states that the union must maintain its ambition for climate neutrality, but the path to it should be flexible and open, not restricted by "ideological errors".

A Four-Point Plan for the European Automotive Industry

To support his position, Manfred Weber presented what he calls the "four-point automotive promise" for Europe. The plan is conceived as a comprehensive strategy for the future of the automotive sector and includes not only the lifting of the ban on internal combustion engines but also a number of innovative proposals.

• the creation of a virtual automotive university
• the use of artificial intelligence factories to develop new vehicles
• a closer and more constructive dialogue with car manufacturers

A Fight for Jobs and Citizen Trust

One of Weber's main arguments in support of his proposal is the protection of jobs in the automotive industry, which is the backbone of the economies of many European countries. According to him, correcting "ideological errors" and winning the trust of workers could be an effective strategy to slow down the rise of right-wing populists, who often use social insecurity for political purposes. Weber's call to the social democrats to support the EPP's plan shows a desire to create a broad political consensus on an issue that is of vital importance for the future of Europe.

The Future of Climate Policy in Question?

The current EU rules, adopted to reduce harmful carbon emissions, stipulate that from January 1, 2035, new passenger cars and light commercial vehicles powered by conventional fossil fuels cannot be registered. This ambitious goal has always been a subject of discussion, but it seems that it will now be subject to a serious review. Manfred Weber's proposal casts a shadow of doubt on the firmness of European climate policy and questions whether Brussels is ready to make compromises in the name of economic stability and social peace. The coming months will show whether the EPP's initiative will succeed in changing the EU's course or will remain just part of pre-election rhetoric.