Far-right leaders are expected to address the possible reconfiguration of the right in the European Parliament.
The leaders of Europe’s most radical right-wing parties met in Brussels on Wednesday to discuss how to unite the European Union’s fractured right after their gains in the main national electoral battlegrounds in the European elections.
The French Marine Le Pen -whose party National Group now has the largest delegation in the European Parliament after obtaining 30 seats In last week’s elections, he met with the leader of the Italian far-right party Matteo Salvini. Both had disputed for years the leadership of the European radical right. It was a first clarification meeting before the meeting of leaders belonging to the parliamentary group Identity and Democracy (ID).
It is expected that Geert Wilderswhose far-right Freedom Party recently reached a coalition agreement to co-govern the Netherlands; Tom Van GriekenBelgian party leader Flemish Interest y Andre Venturaleader of the Portuguese party He arrives!join the talks, in which far-right parties will also be represented czech, Austrians y danes.
In a statement, the League stated that Salvini and Le Pen had discussed unite the European “center right”despite the fact that its parties are considered some of the most radical in Europe.
The almost impossible Grand Ultra Coalition
Speaking to the press before the meeting, André Ventura – whose party Chega! burst onto the Portuguese political scene in March’s early legislative elections – said that although ID was integrated and aligned as a group, it was also actively seeking to expand.
“If these talks lead to a successful conclusion, we will be willing to participate in them. If they do not, we would also be very happy in the group,” he added.
The far-right parties in the European Parliament are currently divided into both sides: Identity and Democracy y European Conservatives and Reformistswhich host parties such asBrothers of Italyby Giorgia Meloni, and Vox, from Spain. Although they did not come out as strengthened as expected in last week’s European elections, They could become the third or even the second force European Parliament policy if they will merge.
The ball is in Meloni’s court
Speaking to Euronews, Tom Vandendriessche, a Belgian MEP from the Flemish Identity party, said: “We are now in conversations with all political parties. “We are now in talks with all our friends and partners.”
“We, as a Flemish identity, are open to any debate about the expansion of the group,” he added.
Days before the European elections, Marine Le Pen declared to the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera who was seeking the support of the Italian prime minister, Giorgia Melonito merge his own ID group with Meloni’s ECR into a far-right supergroup.
The move is considered risky for Meloni, who has forged a close relationship with the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyenand could lose the opportunity to cement its influence on the EU stage if it opens up to more radical forces.
Macron’s decision
The decision of the French president, Emmanuel Macronto call early legislative elections has also radically changed what is at stake, as Marine Le Pen sees her opportunity to take control of the National Assembly and install the protected su Jordan Bardella28 years old, like Prime Minister from France.
This could give Le Pen’s party even more pulling power in attempts to form a far-right supergroup.
The Law and Justice party -Fidesz- ofViktor Orbán It also has no political ceiling in the European Parliament and could reinforce that supergroup with 11 seats.
Deep disagreements over Ukraine and pro-Russian sentiment
But uniting these radical forces is more complex than it seems. One issue in particular, the conflict of Ukrainehas revealed a deep division on the European right.
Some parties in the ID group, in particular the Austrian Freedom Partyare considered prorrusos and oppose the EU’s military and financial support for kyiv.
Alternative for Germany was also expelled from the group last month following a series of scandals, including accusations that its members had been paid by a Russian influence operation to spread propaganda in favor of the Kremlin in Europe.
In recent times, ID group parties have attempted to soften their stance on key issues such as support for Ukraine and anti-European sentiment.
ADVERTISINGIn an interview granted to Euronews last month, Anders Vistisenspokesperson for ID’s European campaign, harshly criticized the European Union for not having “stepped up” to provide kyiv with the military aid and equipment it needs to resist the Russian invasion.
Not anymore in the air the option of leaving the European Union
Leaders like Le Pen and Wilders too they have retracted of previous suggestions that they would leave the bloc of 27 if they came to power in their country.
On the eve of early legislative elections in France, Le Pen’s party has distanced itself even from its counterparts on the radical right, such as Regainof Eric Zemmourwhile trying to secure the loyalty of its center-right partners.
Centrist and left-wing forces have warned Europe’s traditional centre-right forces against being seduced by radical partners, warning them that it could have devastating consequences for Ukraine and for one’s own geopolitical stability of Europe.
