Far-right political parties from 12 countries, including France’s National Rally and Hungary’s ruling Fidesz, announced on Monday the formation of a new political bloc in the European Parliament. Dubbed Patriots for Europe, the alliance aims to become a significant political force in the EU, positioning itself as a champion of national sovereignty, identity, and independence from Brussels. The coalition, consisting of 84 members of the European Parliament (MEPs), marks a significant shift in the political landscape following the recent European elections, which saw many voters abandoning traditional liberal and environmentalist groups in favor of right-wing populism.
The European Parliament has notably moved to the right after Europe-wide elections last month, with voters disillusioned by the policies of mainstream parties. Despite this shift, the mainstream center-right and center-left still hold a majority in the EU Parliament. However, the emergence of the Patriots for Europe signals that the far-right will have a louder voice and more influence in EU decision-making.
Leadership and Membership of the Bloc
The new bloc will be led by 28-year-old Jordan Bardella, a protégé of French far-right leader Marine Le Pen, who chairs France’s National Rally. Bardella, a rising star in European far-right politics, emphasized that the coalition would serve as a voice for millions of Europeans who prioritize their national identity, sovereignty, and freedom from what they perceive as overreach by EU institutions.
Kinga Gál, a senior figure from Hungary’s ruling Fidesz party, will serve as the first vice president of the bloc. Fidesz, led by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, is known for its nationalist and anti-immigration stance. The alliance also includes far-right parties from Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Greece, Italy, Latvia, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain, forming a pan-European coalition of nationalist parties.
Italy’s far-right League party, led by Matteo Salvini, and the Party for Freedom, headed by Dutch anti-immigration leader Geert Wilders, have also signed up. Spain’s far-right Vox party, which previously belonged to the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) bloc of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, has defected to join Patriots for Europe.
Vision and Objectives of Patriots for Europe
At a news conference announcing the formation of the bloc, Bardella articulated the vision of the new group as one that stands against the centralization of power in Brussels and the influence of the European Commission, the EU’s executive body. Bardella vowed that the group would work to “retake our institutions” and shift policies to better serve the nations and peoples of Europe. He argued that the coalition represents hope for millions of European citizens who feel disconnected from EU leadership and frustrated by the growing influence of unelected officials in Brussels.
Kinga Gál echoed these sentiments, stating that voters across Europe are demanding stronger protection of national borders, particularly in response to the ongoing migration crisis. She added that while many citizens support European cooperation, they oppose an EU that oversteps its competencies and punishes member states for pursuing their own sovereign policies.
Political Impact and Challenges
The formation of Patriots for Europe has raised concerns among the EU’s mainstream political groups, who have previously employed tactics to block far-right parties from gaining influential positions in the European Parliament. During the last parliamentary session, similar far-right groups, such as the National Rally’s participation in the Identity and Democracy group, were effectively sidelined from key posts. The Patriots for Europe could face similar obstacles this time around, as mainstream parties may refuse to endorse their candidates for important parliamentary positions.
The bloc claims to be the third-largest political group in the EU Parliament, matching the ECR’s 84 seats in the 720-seat assembly. However, the conservative European People’s Party (EPP) remains the largest, with 188 seats, followed by the Socialists and Democrats (S&D) with 136 seats.
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Responses from Mainstream Groups
Mainstream political groups have reacted critically to the formation of the new bloc. The liberal Renew Europe group posted on X (formerly Twitter), accusing Patriots for Europe of merely rebranding far-right ideologies. The post stated, “These are ‘patriots’ in name only. The far-right have rebranded. But their mission is the same: to destroy European values.” Renew warned that Europe’s future would be shaped from the political center, not by nationalist and populist forces.
Jean-Paul Garraud, a close ally of Bardella, denounced these criticisms, calling the blocking tactics employed by mainstream parties “totally anti-democratic.” He argued that Patriots for Europe should be given a fair share of parliamentary posts, reflecting the millions of voters they represent. Garraud’s comments underscore the tension between the newly-formed far-right bloc and the established parties that dominate the European Parliament.
The formation of Patriots for Europe marks a new chapter in European politics, with far-right parties from across the continent uniting to challenge the EU’s centralized power structure and push for policies that prioritize national sovereignty and identity. As the bloc begins its work, it will face significant resistance from mainstream political groups, who view their rise as a threat to the liberal and democratic values that have underpinned the European Union for decades. Whether Patriots for Europe can overcome these challenges and make a lasting impact remains to be seen, but its formation signals the growing influence of far-right populism in European politics.
