Le Pen and Salvini join Orban’s ‘Patriots’

It was an open secret and it has finally been confirmed. 30 MEPs of Marine Le Pen and eight representatives of the League Matteo Salvini Join the ‘Patriots for Europe’ Viktor Orban. “Our goal is, and believe me we will achieve it, to become the strongest right-wing group in European politics.” Only eight days have passed since the Hungarian Prime Minister announced the birth of the formation. A week later, he keeps his promises and consolidates himself as the third most powerful force in the European Parliament, overtaking the Italian Conservatives and Reformists (ECR). Giorgia Meloni,

He added, “This new right-wing bloc aspires to become a decisive force in shaping Europe’s future. Let us unite and fight together for a better future!” Zoltan KovacsOrbán’s spokesman announced the attendance of the French and Italian delegations.

The European Parliament’s new sovereigntist group is, in a way, an extension of Identity and Democracy (ID) with some nuance. Fidesz comes to the detriment of the condemned Alternative for Germany (AfD)whose 15 members have become orphans after being expelled for allegedly whitewashing Nazism.

The new group now has 80 MEPs: National Regrouping (30); League (8); Hungarian Fidesz (11), Austrian FPÖ (6), Czech ANO (7), Dutch PVV De Wilders (6); Spanish Vox (6), Belgian Vlaams Belang (3); Portuguese Chega (2); and Danish People’s Party (1). It therefore meets the requirements to form a European Family, set at a minimum of 23 MEPs from seven member states.

One of the corporations that caused the most surprises was Vox. The match of Santiago Abascal It took him less than 48 hours from joining the ranks of his conservative allies in the previous legislature to shaking hands with Orban. He did so on the same day the Magyar president traveled to Moscow for a meeting Vladimir Putina visit that continues to sting European leaders. An unimpressive visit that took place at the start of the rotating Hungarian presidency of the Council.

However, the most anticipated announcement was the merger of Le Pen and Orbán. It was taken for granted, but the Frenchwoman wanted to wait for the second round of legislative elections in her country. In the midst of an electoral hangover and with open wounds after having slipped to third place as a result of the siege imposed by the restive forces, the head of the RN reveals his strategy and plans for the EU for the next five years. In addition, he does so on the same day that Orbán continues to challenge Brussels Another trip and controversial handshake that led him to Beijing.

The new constitution retains much of the old. Its essence is to safeguard the sovereign character as a counterweight to the power emanating from the “bureaucrats” and “elites” of Brussels. Joan BerdellaLe Pen’s Dolphins describes it as the group that will mark the balance in Europe “rejecting the avalanche of immigrants, punitive ecology and the seizure of our sovereignty.” The ‘patriotic’ manifesto includes a commitment to “sovereignty over federalism, freedom over orders and peace over war.” Its three directions of action include strengthening its discourse on irregular immigration, stopping the Green Treaty and focusing on economic recovery.

The European far right is reorganizing itself at a time of gains in both national and European elections. But it does so while facing the difficulty of expressing this good moment in governments or setting the pace and weight in European institutions. However, the first tests of the impact of this new movement have already taken place. Ursula von der Leyen, candidate for reelection as premier The European CommissionIt has a test in the European Parliament on July 18. It needs the support of 361 of the 720 new MEPs. The number is too low and the strengthening of the most pro-Russian family in the chamber to the detriment of the conservatives is not good news. Germani opened the door to dialogue and building bridges with Meloni but marked “Putin’s friends” as a red line. The center majority on which he wants to rely is more unstable today.