European Far-Right Coalition Meets In Rome, Discusses Immigration As Disagreements Unfold

As June’s EU parliamentary elections quickly approach, a coalition of far-right parties in Europe met in Rome on March 23, vowing to reduce the rate of immigration to the continent. They did so while largely opposing the possible reelection of current European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen. Recent polls have shown increased support for the far-right parties of Europe, emboldening the movement and their subsequent supporters. The Identity and Democracy party (ID), the main far-right coalition, is composed of delegations from Italy’s Lega, France’s Rassemblement National (RN), Austria’s Freedom Party (FPO), Portugal’s Chega, and Belgium’s Vlaams Belang. Yet, fractures have begun to appear in the far-right’s facade, as disagreements over issues of Ukraine and the support of von der Leyen cause inter-party turmoil. 

Giorgia Meloni, Italy’s far-right Prime Minister and leader of the Fratelli d’Italia party, seems to be the current prominent power-player in Europe’s right-wing party coalition, and is at the center of many disputes within the group. Pro-Ukraine Meloni was criticized at the conference by Marine Le Pen, former president of the French RN. Le Pen questioned Meloni, asking, “Giorgia … will you support a second von der Leyen term or not? I believe so. And so you will contribute to worsening the policies that the people of Europe are suffering from so much.” Le Pen, who also showed vigorous support for her longtime ally, Matteo Salvini from Italy’s Lega party, criticized Meloni’s close relationship with von der Leyen. The head of Fratelli d’Italia’s delegation, Carlo Fidanza, responded in an interview with the newspaper La Stampa, saying that “Giorgia has always said that she doesn’t accept it when a foreign politician tells her what to do. That applies to the Left, whose interference we are unfortunately used to. But it also applies, and I would say even more so, to the Right.” Such disagreement may cause future issues in the upcoming parliamentary elections.

As the far-right’s nationalist and populist ideology takes hold of European citizens en masse, the possibility of an EU parliament heavily influenced by conservative interests may become a reality. In particular, the far-right’s stance on immigration, climate change, and the Russia-Ukraine war may cause trouble for the future of European politics. Yet, the apparent cracks in the unity of the ID party, exacerbated by the inherently decentralized nature of a coalition of nationalist parties, may afford the European left an opening for success come this June. It is important that the left utilizes this opening, as a strong far-right movement may lead to increased levels of harmful nativist, pro-Russian, and anti-green sentiments, inflamed by policy that promotes mass deportations and overturns climate-friendly legislation. In addition to the action of the left, the center-right must ensure that the allure of far-right support does not sway the basis of their policy, resulting in further polarization.

The support that the far-right has been able to garner and mobilize has resulted from years of confrontations with a cost-of-living crisis, financial instability, increased refugee immigration, and terrorism. The 2008 financial crash created a breeding ground for discontent, as the majority of citizens were left behind due to the widening gap between the common people and the economic elites. The far-right provided an outlet and a shared identity, singling out the culprit of their dissatifaction as immigrants and the untrustworthy establishment. The subsequent radicalization of Europeans finds its foundation in xenophobic and racist thought, cloaked by traditional, conservative ideology that harkens back to chauvinist and ethnist paragons. The rise of the ID party, and its possible alliance with the slightly larger European Conservatives and Reformists Party (ECR), mirrors the success of the right in utilizing the anger and frustration of the people, and directing it towards their populist goals.

As June nears, and as the European far-right grows in power, it will be imperative for the left to balance the scale so as to avoid an EU parliament dominated and influenced by harmful ideologies. The future of Europe may be drastically altered under the leadership of a coalition focused on reducing environmental spending and cutting immigration. However, disagreements within the coalition may provide the basis for a stronger, united opposition party.

Related