Friction between Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and French far-right leader Marine Le Pen has cast a shadow over the ambitions of Europe’s nationalist right to wield significant power within the European Union (EU), according to sources familiar with their parties’ strategies.
The rift between Meloni and Le Pen became evident when a French minister likened Meloni to Le Pen, prompting a sharp response from the Italian premier to French President Emmanuel Macron. Sources reveal that Meloni vehemently rejected the comparison, underscoring the divisions within Europe’s nationalist right.
The European Parliament elections in June are anticipated to witness a surge in support for nationalist and eurosceptic parties, with polls suggesting record levels of voter backing. However, the prospect of a cohesive bloc emerging from the far-right remains unlikely due to stark differences between Meloni and Le Pen’s approaches and objectives.
Meloni, leading the hard-right European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) grouping, prioritizes maximizing Italian influence within the EU by collaborating with its institutions. On the other hand, Le Pen, a driving force in the more anti-EU Identity and Democracy (ID) group, seeks to highlight the perceived failures of “Macron’s Europe” and retains a more skeptical stance toward EU integration.
The divergence in policy platforms and priorities weakens the far right’s potential influence on critical issues such as trade relations with China, responses to the Ukraine conflict, climate policy, and immigration. This discord complicates efforts to form a unified front within the European Parliament, impacting the composition of the European Commission and its legislative initiatives.
While Meloni’s pragmatic approach aims to secure a strong economic portfolio for Italy within the EU, Le Pen’s protectionist rhetoric and past ties to Russia contrast with Meloni’s more pro-business stance and unwavering support for Ukraine and trans-Atlantic relations.
Efforts to forge alliances between Meloni’s ECR and Le Pen’s ID face hurdles, with Meloni wary of aligning too closely with Le Pen due to concerns about her party’s reputation and influence among EU policymakers. The lack of convergence on key policy issues further complicates prospects for cooperation between the two groups.
Despite Le Pen’s growing popularity in France, her divisive image remains a barrier to broader acceptance among EU member states, particularly among German conservatives. This reluctance to engage with Le Pen poses challenges for Meloni’s aspirations to expand her influence within the EU.
Meloni’s strategic calculations regarding the composition of the next European Commission may determine the extent of her leverage within EU decision-making processes. While discussions with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban present opportunities to strengthen her position within the ECR, Meloni remains cautious about affiliating too closely with Le Pen.
The internal discord within the far right underscores the complexities of navigating EU politics and forming effective coalitions to advance nationalist agendas. As Europe’s political landscape evolves, the divergence between Meloni and Le Pen highlights the challenges of consolidating far-right influence within EU institutions and shaping the direction of European governance.
