Far-right leaders Le Pen and Orban criticize the European Union during a rally in France
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Let's dive into the annual shindig organized by France's National Rally (RN) – a soiree that brought together right-wing leaders from across Europe, aiming to celebrate their successful election performances.
The atmosphere was electric, brimming with confidence following Donald Trump's re-election in the US and solid results for similar parties across the continent.
Hungary's Viktor Orban, proudly coining himself the "black sheep of the EU" and "Brussels' worst nightmare," compared European migration policies to a deliberate plot to alter the cultural fabric of the continent. Boasting about his country's border security, even in the face of EU sanctions, Orban declared, "We won't let 'em tear down our cities, assault our girls and women, or slaughter our peaceful citizens."
"Time to Wrap this Thing Up"
At the occasion, Le Pen labeled the EU a "cemetery of unfulfilled political promises" and a "woke, ultra-liberal" institution. She passionately declared, "We ain't leaving the dance floor. We want to win this game – to seize power in France and Europe and hand it back to its rightful owners!" Historically, her party called for France to exit the EU. Yet, in a bid to make the party electable and distance itself from her controversial father Jean-Marie Le Pen, it now supports EU reform while remaining a part of the union.
Italy's Deputy Prime Minister and League party leader Matteo Salvini, Spain's Vox party president Santiago Abascal, and former Czech premier Andrej Babis were also present, all part of the Patriots for Europe faction in the European parliament – one of a whopping three far-right groups in the chamber.
For Salvini, migration remains a "danger" to Europe. From the podium, he called on all European "patriots" to unite and take back control over the destiny and future of the continent.
Meanwhile, approximately 4,000 protesters from the left, hard left, and trade unionspicketed nearby, vowing to "build resistance" and condemning the far-right leaders as "undesirable." French hard-left MEP Manon Aubry called the gathering a "showcase of the most bigoted, xenophobic European right-wingers we've come to know all too well."
"Brussels' Guillotine"
The event took place less than two years before the 2027 French presidential elections, during which sitting President Emmanuel Macron, who has long portrayed himself as the guardian against the far right, will be ineligible to stand again. With speculation swirling that Le Pen may face legal barriers to running, her protege and RN party leader Jordan Bardella could take the helm. Polls show that Bardella would win the first round of presidential elections if he runs. He has been making a concerted effort to soften his image, as recently evidenced by a lengthy TV interview.
Bardella told the gathering, "We reject the Europe of Ursula von der Leyen. We reject the Europe of Macron... We represent Europe's rejuvenation." Le Pen's legal status remains unclear, and Bardella could step in if necessary.
Orban urged the RN party to triumph in the elections, stating, "Without you, we can't seize Brussels (...). We can't save Hungary from the Brussels guillotine."
(with AFP)
Note: The "Patriots for Europe" faction mentioned in the article hasn't been officially acknowledged in search results but is referred to in articles related to this kind of gathering. The article touches on the views and beliefs of certain political leaders without explicitly stating they were present at the "Patriots for Europe" event.
- Emmanuel Macron, the sitting President of France, faces potential challenges in the 2027 presidential elections, with Jordan Bardella, the RN party leader, gaining momentum in polls if he decides to run.
- Hungary's Viktor Orban urged France's RN party to triumph in the elections, asserting that their success is crucial in seizing control from the EU institutions, which he sees as a "Brussels guillotine."
- Marine Le Pen, the leader of France's National Rally, and other right-wing leaders from various European countries such as Italy, Spain, and Hungary gathered to discuss international politics, expressing opinions against the EU and urging for unity and control over the continent's destiny.
