Far-right parties from 12 European countries have united to create a new bloc in the European Parliament named Patriots for Europe, aiming to enhance their influence and become a significant political force. This coalition includes parties such as France’s National Rally and Hungary’s Fidesz. Despite a noticeable shift to the right after recent European elections, mainstream center-right and center-left groups still maintain the majority in the parliament.
Patriots for Europe consists of 84 EU lawmakers and will be led by Jordan Bardella, a 28-year-old protege of Marine Le Pen, with Kinga Gál from Hungary’s ruling Fidesz party serving as the first vice president. The group intends to oppose centralization of power in Brussels and resist what they perceive as overreach by the European Commission.
The alliance comprises right-wing parties from Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Greece, Italy, Latvia, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain. By forming a cohesive group, these parties anticipate gaining more influence, funding, and opportunities for key roles in parliamentary committees. The Patriots for Europe has declared itself the third-largest political group in the parliament, alongside Meloni’s ECR bloc.
The group advocates for enhanced border protection and European sovereignty while opposing what they view as the EU encroaching on member states’ policies. However, there are concerns that mainstream parties may impede the Patriots for Europe from securing significant positions by not supporting their candidates, as seen in previous instances with other far-right groups.
Critics, like the liberal Renew group, have accused the far-right coalition of attempting to rebrand while maintaining their core objectives of disrupting European values. Renew underscored their commitment to shaping Europe’s future from the political center. In response, Bardella’s ally, Jean-Paul Garraud, condemned the mainstream parties’ blocking tactics, deeming them as undemocratic and emphasizing that the Patriots for Europe deserve representation based on their voter support.
