Viktor Orbán gave an interview after taking over the EU presidency from Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo.Continue reading
Marco Zanni, politician of the Italian La Lega party, and leader of the Identity and Democracy (ID) fraction in the European Parliament, described the Patriots for Europe (PfE) as the most compelling alternative in Europe in an interview with Italian daily, Corriere della Sera.
Mr. Zanni emphasized that the PfE acts as a “catalyst of discontent” with the European institutional system, criticizing the EU for ignoring the electorate’s demands and maintaining the status quo. He stated,
No change is happening in the European Union: the message from the electorate has once again gone unfulfilled.”
The politician highlighted that the party alliance initiated by Hungarian PM Viktor Orbán, which includes Fidesz (Hungary), ANO (Czechia), FPÖ (Austria), and Chega (Portugal), aims to challenge the existing power structure. He noted, “the European institutions are losing their legitimacy because they were set up by losers.”
Marco Zanni. Photo: X (formely Twitter) / MarcoZanni86
Mr. Zanni also mentioned that the PfE aligns with the principles that ID, and its predecessor, Europe of Nations and Freedoms (ENF), have stood for. Regarding the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which left the ID, he confirmed it would not join the Patriots. He speculated on the potential move of Poland’s Law and Justice (PiS) from the ECR to the Patriots, stating that PiS is currently negotiating for better terms with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. “We will see, the week will be full of news,” he remarked.
Marco Zanni criticized the European Council’s treatment of Italy and PM Meloni, suggesting it has led to the formation of a strong opposition axis.
Matteo Salvini, leader of La Lega, expressed support for Hungarian Prime Minister’s proposal to create a European patriotic party group. Speaking at an economic meeting in Rome, Mr. Salvini said, “We are working on it,” when asked if his party’s MEPs might join the PfE group.
He praised the initiative, stating,
the League has been working for years to involve as many parties as possible in the construction of a different Europe, without the left.”
Mr. Salvini highlighted the need for a broad, cohesive group opposing the current European direction, including Ursula von der Leyen’s leadership. After a meeting with Viktor Orbán, Herbert Kickl (FPÖ), and Andrej Babis (ANO), Matteo Salvini reiterated the aim of forming a strong patriotic group with close links to the Portuguese Chega, which has already joined the newly formed fraction.
Both Zanni and Salvini underscored the Patriots for Europe as a significant movement against the EU’s current political landscape, seeking to unite conservative parties across Europe to form a formidable opposition.
Via MTI; Featured Image: MTI / Miniszterelnöki Sajtóiroda / Fischer Zoltán