Patriots for Europe, a new far-right coalition in the European Parliament, has appointed Jordan Bardella of France’s National Rally as its president, solidifying its position as the third-largest group in the assembly.
Formation and Membership
Patriots for Europe, an alliance of far-right parties across the continent, was officially constituted in late June. The group comprises Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) from twelve different countries and boasts a total of 84 lawmakers. This makes it the third-largest group in the European Parliament, according to a statement released by the Patriots.
France’s National Rally, led by Marine Le Pen, joined the coalition on Monday, bringing with it the largest national delegation of 30 MEPs. This addition has significantly boosted the group’s numbers and influence.
Patriots for Europe also includes representatives from other prominent far-right parties such as Hungary’s Fidesz, Italy’s League, Spain’s Vox, Portugal’s Chega, the Czech Republic’s Action of Dissatisfied Citizens, Oath and Motorists, Hungary’s Christian Democratic People’s Party, Austria’s Freedom Party, the Netherlands’ Party for Freedom, Belgium’s Vlaams Belang, Denmark’s Danish People’s Party, Greece’s Voice of Reason, and Latvia First.
Leadership Appointment
At a brief meeting held in Brussels, Jordan Bardella was appointed president of Patriots for Europe. Bardella, who was not physically present at the meeting, succeeds Marine Le Pen as the prominent face of France’s National Rally in European politics. His election was swift, with the session lasting less than 20 minutes. Kinga Gál of Hungary’s Fidesz was named as the group’s first vice-president.
Vision and Goals
In his statement, Bardella emphasized the coalition’s commitment to promoting sovereignty, identity, and freedom within Europe. He highlighted the group’s aim to “retake our institutions and reorient policies to serve our nations and peoples,” presenting the Patriots as a beacon of hope for citizens who feel aligned with nationalist and sovereigntist values.
“The Patriots represent hope for the tens of millions of citizens in the European Nations who value their identity, their sovereignty, and their freedom,” Bardella stated.
Context and Implications
The formation of Patriots for Europe marks a significant reorganization of far-right representation within the European Parliament. The inclusion of National Rally and Fidesz underscores the growing influence of nationalist and sovereigntist parties in European politics. This development could have substantial implications for EU policies and internal dynamics, given the coalition’s intent to push back against what they perceive as the erosion of national sovereignty by EU institutions.
Patriots for Europe aims to leverage its newfound strength to influence legislative and policy decisions within the EU, advocating for positions that prioritize national sovereignty and identity. This move aligns with a broader trend of rising nationalism across Europe, challenging the more integrationist and federalist visions traditionally dominant in EU politics.
The group’s formation and Bardella’s leadership are expected to bring a more cohesive and assertive voice to far-right positions in the European Parliament, potentially reshaping debates on issues ranging from immigration and border security to national sovereignty and the EU’s regulatory framework.
