Grigule had been working as a non-aligned deputy since falling out in October with the Eurosceptic group (Europe of Freedom and Direct Democracy – EFDD) which she signed up for unexpectedly soon after her conspicuously well-sponsored successful campaign to the EP under the Greens/Farmers’ Union ticket last year.
“The deputy chair of the European Commission in charge of digital policy represents this group, the fourth largest in influence at the EP,” began Grigule, “and four Commissars – responsible for transport, competition, trade, justice, consumer affairs and gender equality issues,” outlining some of her reasons for choosing finally to apply for this political faction where so far no Latvian MEPs have been members.
While not promising unanimity on all issues with her new political group fellows, Grigule said she hopes they will accept her differences of opinion on matters, as long as she informs them beforehand of her intent to dissent.
She expressed hope that she could coordinate her work with her counterparts from Estonia’s ruling Reform Party deputies and other Baltic MEPs and acknowledged Greens/Farmers’ Union leader Augusts Brigmanis for predicting a best fit for her with the Liberals and Democrats immediately following the EP elections.
