The EPP candidate for the next President of the European Commission Manfred Weber proposed talks with the Hungarian conservative Fidesz party to overcome differences between the two.

Weber said he will initiate talks with Hungarian Prime Miniter Viktor Orban, after a dozen of EPP member parties initiated expelling Fidesz from the coalition, as EPP has moved to the political centre and Fidesz to the right. Weber added that the differences are over fundamental values, while Orban insists that the EPP is abandoning core principles such as protection of Europe’s heritage and borders.

The rift comes ahead of the European Parliament elections and could undermine EPP’s chances of maintaining control over EU politics.