The rise of Reform UK is sparking panic across Brussels as the EU becomes increasingly concerned about Nigel Farage becoming Prime Minister, an expert has claimed.
According to a learning think tank, the rise of Reform in the polls has sparked "panic" among multiple EU figures.
Executive Director of MCC Brussels, Frank Furedi, said recent comments made in a European Parliament committee meeting gripped senior EU figures of Farage possible becoming prime minister.
Furedi claimed: "It is evident the EU's parliamentary hacks are clearly worried sick about having to deal with a future Nigel Farage Reform Party Government.
The thought of Farage in No10 'terrifies' the EU
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"They are therefore working behind the scenes to make backroom deals with an EU-friendly Keir Starmer regime."
Speaking to The Daily Express, Furedi explained that it "terrifies" the EU of the thought of a future with Farage in No10.
During the meeting, Swedish member of the centre-right European People's Party (EPP), MEP Tomas Tobe, criticised Farage over his comments on cryptocurrency.
Tobe said: "It is extremely important that we don't end up in a situation where we see political parties in Europe that are financed through crypto.
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"That is what we saw - one thing that we learned is that the Reform Party, our former colleague also of this house MEP Farage, now the leader of the Reform Party, now said openly that he opens up to crypto financing.
"That is, of course, a whole new level when it comes to transparency, and also opportunities for hostile actors outside of the union to try to influence our democratic process, and I really think we need to keep an eye on this."
Irish MEP Cynthia Ni Mhurchu warned other members of the European Parliament of the resurgence of Farage.
She said: "Farage's political weight and might are growing, just in case you don't know.
Irish MEP Cynthia Ni Mhurchu alerted other members of the EU
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"But I do think it's incumbent upon all of us now, whilst we have a window of opportunity with Keir Starmer leading the Government, to actually use this time wisely."
She told members to go to the UK and take lessons there, emphasising the need to set up "cooperative ventures".
The Irish MEP added: "Get [the UK] to fruition before there is a change of Government, which I'm not going to pre-empt, but I'm just stating that as a fact.
"The figures in terms of Nigel Farage's rise and rise and his party are not looking good for holding the centre."
Starmer is keen to 'reset' relations with the EU
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Farage served as an MEP for more than 20 years and has always been a thorn in the EU's side.
In contrast to Starmer, who is keen to push an EU "reset" button and build back relations with Brussels.
Commenting on Starmer's closeness with the EU, Farage called it in February an "act of humiliation".
The Reform UK leader has caused others in the Prime Minister's cabinet to try stop his ongoing momentum, with Angela Rayner being accused of an electoral "stitch-up" as she plans to change how mayoral elections take place to hinder Reform.