The far-right nationalist movement wants to create a new group in the European Parliament. But it needs the accession of at least seven Member States.
He arrivesthe Portuguese far-right party, has joined Patriots for Europe, the new nationalist alliance launched by the Hungarian Prime Minister, Viktor Orbán.
“The president of Chega announced his intention to be part of this sovereigntist coalition,” Orbán’s spokesman said on Monday. Before confirmation, Andre Venturaby Chega, had described the founding of the movement as a “historic opportunity” to build a political “alternative” and join to the right.
“This group is clearly against Ursula von der Leyen and António Costa“Ventura said, referring to Orbán’s negative vote during last week’s agreement on senior EU officials.
After days of speculation, the formation of Patriots for Europe was announced on Sunday by the Hungarian leader, flanked by Andrej Babiš, former prime minister of the Czech Republic, and Herbert Kickl, leader of the far-right Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ).
“What Europeans want are three things: peace, order and development“Orbán said at the presentation in Vienna. “And what they receive today from the Brussels elite is war, migration and stagnation“. The alliance intends to maximize its influence by creating a new group in the European Parliament. But to do so needs a minimum of 23 MEPs from at least seven Member States.
Until Monday, they had the Hungarian Fidesz-KDNP (11 legislators), the Czech ANO (7) and the Austrian FPÖ (6). Fidesz and ANO are currently unregistered, while FPÖ sits with the far-right group Identity and Democracy (ID), which it will soon have to leave. The incorporation of Chega, with two legislators, brings the alliance one step closer to the compliance with the seven country requirement. Between the four of them there are 26 MEPs.
What ideas do these parties share?
The parties share a deep aversion to the Green Dealvon der Leyen’s flagship initiative to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, and at New Pact on Migration and Asyluma broad reform that provides rules for the 27 Member States to manage irregular arrivals.
Crucially, They oppose supplying military equipment to Ukrainequestion the effectiveness of Western sanctions against Russia and want to maintain close relations with the Vladimir government Putin. They also question the European integration project and the authority granted to the supranational institutions in Brussels and Luxembourg.
More members are expected to join Patriots for Europe ahead of the first plenary session on July 16. Alternative for Germany (AfD) seems a suitable candidate, since it was expelled from group ID in May and has no in-laws.
