Far-right parties from 12 countries have come together to establish a new bloc in the European Parliament, aiming to become a significant political force. This coalition, named Patriots for Europe, consists of 84 EU lawmakers and is led by a young protégé of Marine Le Pen, Jordan Bardella. The group includes parties from countries such as France, Hungary, Austria, and Italy, among others.
Following recent European elections, there has been a noticeable shift towards the right in the European Parliament, with voters moving away from liberal and environmentalist parties. While mainstream center-right and center-left groups still hold the majority, the formation of Patriots for Europe adds a new dynamic to the political landscape.
The Patriots for Europe group aims to prioritize issues related to national identity, sovereignty, and freedom. They advocate for a Europe where power is not centralized in Brussels and where member states are not dictated to by the European Commission. The group emphasizes the need for better protection of Europe's borders and for cooperation within the EU that respects the competences of individual member states.
Despite claiming to be the third largest political group in the parliament, Patriots for Europe faces challenges from mainstream parties who may seek to prevent them from securing important posts. The group's opponents argue that their mission remains unchanged – to undermine European values. However, supporters of Patriots for Europe view such tactics as undemocratic and insist on fair representation based on the support they have garnered from voters.
As the political landscape in the European Parliament continues to evolve, the emergence of Patriots for Europe signals a growing influence of right-wing parties in shaping the future direction of European politics.
