Leader of the Dutch far-right Party for Freedom (PVV), Geert Wilders, has united with the “Patriots for Europe” union in the European Parliament, led by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. The union also contributes to Austria’s far-right party and the Czech centrist group of previous Prime Minister Andrej Babis.
Wilder’s party has won 6 seats in the European Parliament and is famous for its anti-Islam and anti-immigrant views. The PVV won more seats and was the winner in the recent Dutch parliamentary elections and has now become a part of the coalition government. Wilders has been sentenced for hate speech and has been under police custody due to death threats.
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The “Patriots for Europe” union desires to promote a conservative and nationalist agenda in the European Parliament. Orban has been a vocal critic of the “Brussels elites” and has charged the EU for fueling the war in Ukraine. Hungary has believed in the EU’s rotating presidency, and Orban has promised to use this place to propel his “vision of Europe” under the slogan “Make Europe Great Again”, echoing the assembling cry of his ally, previous US President Donald Trump.
The union requires support from parties from at least 4 other countries to be called a group in the EU parliament. Wilders’ decision to unite the alliance is known as a significant rise to Orban’s efforts to produce a far-right bloc in the European Parliament.
The move has increased concerns between liberal and left-wing politicians in Europe, who called it a threat to the EU’s values of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. The alliance’s formation has also highlighted fears of a rise in extremist nationalism and anti-EU sentiment in Europe.
Overall, the emergence of the “Patriots for Europe” union and Wilders’ decision to join it mentions a significant event in the European political landscape, with suggestions for the upcoming of the EU and its principles.
By Arab News
