There is real trouble in the negotiations between the European Parliament and the Council on the statute for European political parties. In the Parliament, it is believed that the Council has launched a campaign against the European party families – led by France, seconded by Germany. In the capitals, they probably have something against self-confident EU parties. Now that Macron has shaken up the French party landscape, it’s the EU level’s turn, it is speculated. Markus Grabitz analyzes the situation.