The center-right European People’s Party voted with right-wing and far-right lawmakers in the European Parliament Wednesday to back a proposal to delay by a year and weaken the EU’s anti-deforestation law.

It comes two weeks after the EPP teamed up with far-right MEPs to exempt more companies from green reporting rules, as the center-right party demonstrates willingness to ally with far-right groups when politically convenient — angering its traditional centrist allies.

It confirms a new normal now exists in the European Parliament, where the center-right no longer feels bound by a longstanding unspoken rule that forbids mainstream parties from siding with the far-right on important legislation.

Under pressure from unhappy trade partners and business groups, the European Commission last month proposed bringing the law — designed to monitor the origins of commodities like coffee, soy and beef that are often produced on deforested land — into effect on Dec. 30 with some simplifying amendments and a six-month grace period for companies that struggle to comply.

Member countries proposed amendments to push those concessions far further, with a one-year delay for medium and large operators, a longer delay for small operators and a 2026 review clause to allow for further regulatory cuts.

Talks between the center-right European People’s Party, centrist Renew Europe and center-left Socialists & Democrats on the file continued into Tuesday, before ending with no deal. One key sticking point was whether to back the year-long delay that features in the Council’s position.

The EPP ultimately backed the Council’s proposal, leaning on the right-wing and far-right groups including the European Conservatives and Reformists and the Patriots for Europe for support.

“It’s difficult to understand why a compromise supported by 24 of the 27 member states is deemed unacceptable for S&D and Renew,” said EPP MEP Christine Schneider ahead of the vote.

“Unfortunately, the three groups from the platform were unable again to find an agreement on a green file. Renew tried until the very end to strike a compromise,” said Renew Europe lawmaker Pascal Canfin ahead of the vote. “This is another bad news for the Von der Leyen coalition and for the spirit of compromise which is at the heart of the EU’s history.”

The Parliament can now begin negotiations on the file with EU member countries.