Jump to content

Patriots for Europe

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
European Parliament group
English abbr.Patriots, PfE
Ideology
Political positionRight-wing[11] to far-right[14]
From8 July 2024; 1 day ago (8 July 2024)
Chaired byJordan Bardella
MEP(s)
84 / 720

Patriots for Europe is a sovereigntist[3] political alliance which is presently seeking to form a political group in the European Parliament for the 10th European Parliament. The founding of the alliance was announced at a press conference in Vienna in late June 2024 by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán (Fidesz), former Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš (ANO 2011), and former Austrian Minister of the Interior Herbert Kickl and MEP Harald Vilimsky (both Freedom Party of Austria).[15][16][17]

The group includes almost all the former members of the Identity and Democracy group. The group could also coordinate the works of its members at the European Council.[18]

History[edit]

Fidesz MEPs did not belong to any EU group until recently, having left the European People's Party Group (EPP Group) in March 2021. ANO MEPs belonged to the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Party and its affiliated Renew Europe group since 2011, but left both organisations after the 2024 European Parliament elections after disagreements on the programme. The FPÖ belonged to the far-right Identity and Democracy (ID) group during the ninth term (2019–2024).[19]

On 30 of June 2024, representatives of the three founding parties signed "A Patriotic Manifesto for a European Future."[20][21][22] According to the manifesto, the only valid European politics is that whose legitimacy is rooted in the existence of European nations and that preserves and celebrates European identity, traditions and customs, and continues their Greco-Roman and Judeo-Christian heritage.[20][21][22] That sets out the alliance's ideology, which includes greater sovereignty for EU member states, stronger measures against illegal migration and a revision of the Green Deal for Europe.[23]

Hungarian Christian Democratic People's Party (KDNP), which has 1 MEP, also announced its intention to join the alliance following its exit from the EPP Group. On 1 July, the nationalist Portuguese party Chega became the fourth member of the Patriots for Europe, with two MEPs.[24][25] On 5 July, the Spanish Vox party also joined, leaving the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group.[26] The same day, the Dutch Party for Freedom (PVV), formerly part of the ID Group, also announced it would join.[27] On 6 July, the Danish People's Party and Vlaams Belang, both part of the ID group, announced they would also join, putting the group above the minimum member states required for group formation.[28][29] On 8 July, the National Rally (RN) and Lega were announced as new members of the group.[30][31] The prerequisite for establishing a political group of the European Parliament is the membership of at least 23 MEPs from at least seven EU member states. The alliance met this criterion on 6 July 2024.[32] According to Le Monde, the RN waited for the end of the second round of the 2024 French legislative election for the announcement "for fear of reviving suspicion of pro-Russian sympathies".[33]

On July 8, Jordan Bardella, president of the National Rally (RN) of France, was named the group's President, together with Vice-Presidents, Chief Whip and Treasurer.[34][35][36]

Members[edit]

Main article: List of members of the European Parliament (2024–2029)

10th European Parliament

Map of Patriots for Europe, European Parliament Group representation
Patriots for Europe has MEPs in 12 member states. Dark purple indicates member states sending multiple MEPs, light purple indicates member states sending a single MEP.
Countries of origin of the member parties as of July 8, 2024
State National party European party Former political group MEPs
 Austria Freedom Party of Austria
Freiheitliche Partei Österreichs (FPÖ) 		ID Party Identity and Democracy
6 / 84
 Belgium Flemish Interest
Vlaams Belang (VB) 		ID Party Identity and Democracy
3 / 84
 Czechia ANO 2011
ANO 2011 (ANO) 		ALDE/None[a] Renew[a]
7 / 84
Oath and Motorists
Přísaha a Motoristé (AUTO+PŘÍSAHA) 		None None
2 / 84
 Denmark Danish People's Party
Dansk Folkeparti (DF) 		None Identity and Democracy
1 / 84
 France National Rally
Rassemblement National (RN) 		ID Party Identity and Democracy
30 / 84
 Greece Voice of Reason
Φωνή Λογικής (ΦΛ) 		None None
1 / 84
 Hungary Fidesz – Hungarian Civic Alliance
Fidesz – Magyar Polgári Szövetség 		None Non-Inscrits
10 / 84
Christian Democratic People's Party
Kereszténydemokrata Néppárt (KDNP) 		EPP/None[b] European People's Party[b]
1 / 84
 Italy League for Salvini Premier
Lega per Salvini Premier (Lega) 		ID Party Identity and Democracy
8 / 84
 Latvia Latvia First
Latvija pirmajā vietā (LPV) 		ECPM None
1 / 84
 Netherlands Party for Freedom
Partij voor de Vrijheid (PVV) 		ID Party Identity and Democracy[c]
6 / 84
 Portugal Enough!
Chega! 		ID Party None[d]
2 / 84
 Spain Vox
Vox 		ECR Party European Conservatives and Reformists
6 / 84
 European Union Total
84 / 720

Expressed interest in joining[edit]

Polish Confederation, which won 6 MEPs, has stated it is currently in negotiations with Patriots for Europe.[37] Slovak Republic Movement stated that they inspect a potential membership.[38]

Other parties being speculated as possible members of the new EU Group are:[39][40][41]

  • Slovenian Democratic Party, which has won 4 MEPs (currently part of the EPP Group)
  • Alternative for Germany, which has won 15 MEPs (previously part of the ID Group, but are now Non-Inscrits), however, due to previous tension between Fidesz and AfD, membership into the group is seen as unlikely,[42] with the AfD stating it had no current plans to join.[43] The AfD had previously expressed interest in creating a group including Fidesz rival Our Homeland Movement, as well as other parties such as the Bulgarian Revival.
  • Slovak Smer–SD is also speculated to potentially join this alliance with 5 MEPs, however, according to its junior coalition partner, Hlas–SD, Smer–SD expressed a preference to rejoin the S&D group, before weighing other options.[44]

Organization[edit]

President[edit]

President Took office Left office Country
(Constituency) 		Party
Jordan Bardella 8 July
2024 		present  France
National Rally

Bureau[edit]

Group bureau during the 10th European Parliament.[35]

Position Name National Party European Party
President Jordan Bardella France National Rally ID Party
First Vice-President Kinga Gál Hungary Fidesz None
Vice-President Roberto Vannacci Italy Lega ID Party
Vice-President Klára Dostálová Czech Republic ANO 2011 None
Vice-President Sebastiaan Stöteler Netherlands Party for Freedom ID Party
Vice-President António Tânger Corrêa Portugal Chega ID Party
Vice-President Hermann Tertsch Spain Vox None
Vice-President Harald Vilimsky Austria Freedom Party of Austria ID Party
Chief Whip Anders Vistisen Denmark Danish People's Party None
Treasurer Gerolf Annemans Belgium Vlaams Belang ID Party

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ a b ANO 2011 announced its departure from ALDE and Renew Europe on 21 June 2024 due to leader Babiš’s declaration that ANO would not be able to fulfill its program in its current European political family. ANO considered joining other EU political groups after its departure, meaning which group aligns more with their program, before successfully negotiating the creation of the Patriots for Europe alliance with Fidesz and the FPÖ.
  2. ^ a b KDNP left EPP after the EPP group decided to admit the TISZA party. After the creation of the Patriots for Europe alliance, KDNP had decided to join.
  3. ^ Their MEP left PVV and eventually the ID group.
  4. ^ The party contested the 2019 European Parliament election as a member of ID, but failed to win any seats. After the 2024 election, the party gained representation, but decided to join PfE instead of sitting with the collapsing ID.

References[edit]

  1. ^ Messad, Paul (7 July 2024). "French far-right RN set to join Orbán's 'Patriots for Europe'". Euractiv. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
  2. ^ Malingre, Virginie (5 July 2024). "Dutch, In the European Parliament, a possible joint group with Marine Le Pen and Viktor Orban". Le Monde. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  3. ^ a b "Hungarian, Fidesz Joins New Sovereigntist EP Group, Who else Will Follow". Hungary Today. 7 July 2024. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  4. ^ Abascal, Santiago (5 July 2024). "The abandonment of the ECR by Vox, its entry into the group of 'Patriots for Europe' and its reasons". Counting Stars. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  5. ^ [1][2][3][4]
  6. ^ Mathiesen, Karl (6 July 2024). "Dutch, Spanish far-right parties to join Orbán's Patriots for Europe". Politico. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  7. ^ Albanese, Chiara; Adghirni, Samy (2 July 2024). "Le Pen May Ditch Her EU Parliament Group in Far-Right Shakeup". Bloomberg.
  8. ^ a b "Hungary: Orban announces new far-right European alliance – DW – 06/30/2024". Deutsche Welle. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  9. ^ "France's RN to Lead New Right-Wing Group at EU Parliament – Reuters – 07/8/2024". Reuters. Retrieved 2024-07-08.
  10. ^ "Orbán's new right-wing group hits EU parliament threshold – Euractive – 07/8/2024". Euractive. Retrieved 2024-07-08.
  11. ^ [8][9][10]
  12. ^ "Portugal's far right joins Viktor Orbán's 'Patriots for Europe' alliance". 2024-07-01.
  13. ^ "Le Pen's National Rally to take control of far-right Patriots in EU Parliament". Politico. 2024-07-08. Retrieved 2024-07-08.
  14. ^ [8][12][13]
  15. ^ "Hungary: Orban announces new far-right European alliance – DW – 06/30/2024". Deutsche Welle. Retrieved 2024-07-01.
  16. ^ "Patrioti pro Evropu. ANO, Fidesz a FPÖ zakládají novou politickou alianci". Deník (in Czech). Czech News Agency. 2024-06-30. Retrieved 2024-07-01.
  17. ^ "Vlastenci pro Evropu. ANO, Fidesz a Svobodná strana Rakouska zakládají politickou alianci". iROZHLAS (in Czech). 2024-06-30. Retrieved 2024-07-01.
  18. ^ "Orban's new Patriots for Europe group is targeting the council, not the parliament". euobserver. 1 July 2024. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
  19. ^ "'Patriots for Europe': Hungary's Orban announces new EU Parliament alliance". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2024-07-01.
  20. ^ a b "„Patriotisches Manifest – Erklärung mit Herbert Kickl, Viktor Orbán, Andrej Babiš & Harald Vilimsky"". Freedom Party of Austria. Vienna. 30 June 2024. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
  21. ^ a b "„Patrioten für Europa": Kickl (FPÖ), Orbán (Fidesz), Babiš (ANO) gaben Startschuss für neue patriotische Allianz!". Freedom Party of Austria. Vienna. 30 June 2024. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
  22. ^ a b Andrej Babiš (30 June 2024). "VLASTENECKÝ MANIFEST PRO EVROPSKOU BUDOUCNOST"". Facebook. Vienna. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
  23. ^ "Babiš, Orbán a Kickl zakládají vlasteneckou alianci". Novinky.cz (in Czech). Borgis. 2024-06-30. Retrieved 2024-07-01.
  24. ^ "Extrema-direita portuguesa junta-se à aliança "Patriotas pela Europa" de Viktor Orbán". euronews (in Portuguese). 2024-07-01. Retrieved 2024-07-01.
  25. ^ "Portugal's Chega party to join Orbán's new far-right alliance". POLITICO. 2024-07-01. Retrieved 2024-07-01.
  26. ^ "Vox leaves Meloni's ECR for Orban's new 'Patriots'". Ansa.it. 5 July 2024.
  27. ^ "x.com". Retrieved July 7, 2024.
  28. ^ "x.com". Retrieved July 7, 2024.
  29. ^ "x.com". Retrieved July 7, 2024.
  30. ^ "x.com". Retrieved July 8, 2024.
  31. ^ "x.com". Retrieved July 8, 2024.
  32. ^ Sajó, Dávid (6 July 2024). "A Dán Néppárt is csatlakozik Orbánék európai pártcsoportjához, megvan a szükséges létszám a frakcióhoz". Telex. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  33. ^ "Le RN va rejoindre une nouvelle alliance au Parlement européen dirigée par le premier ministre hongrois, Viktor Orban". Le Monde (in French). 8 July 2024. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
  34. ^ Fortuna, Gerardo (8 July 2024). "Far-right Patriots group springs to third force in European Parliament". Euronews. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
  35. ^ a b "Patriots for Europe become the third largest group in the European Parliament". Agenparl. 2024-07-08. Retrieved 2024-07-08.
  36. ^ "Patriots for Europe becomes EU parliament's 3rd-largest group, picks Jordan Bardella as president". Politico Europe. 8 July 2024. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
  37. ^ "Confederation MEP rules out alliance with Germany's AfD, eyes other European groups".
  38. ^ "Orbán v europarlamente zabodoval. Patrioti pre Európu môžu mať reálnu moc".
  39. ^ Scheffer, Joakim (2024-07-01). "The EP's Potentially Strongest Right-Wing Group — Who Could Join PM Orbán's Patriots for Europe?". Hungarian Conservative. Retrieved 2024-07-01.
  40. ^ "Portugal's far right joins Orbán's 'Patriots for Europe' alliance". Euronews. 2024-07-01. Retrieved 2024-07-01.
  41. ^ Zachová, Aneta (2024-06-30). "Orbán, Babiš, Kickl create new "patriotic" alliance to redefine EU policies, eye new Parliament group". Euractiv. Retrieved 2024-07-01.
  42. ^ Benakis, Theodoros (2024-07-01). "Far-right AfD eyes Orbán's new group in the European Parliament". European Interest. Retrieved 2024-07-05.
  43. ^ "New European right-wing alliance initially without AfD". aussiedlerbote.de. 2024-07-01. Retrieved 2024-07-05.
  44. ^ Scheffer, Joakim (2024-07-01). "The EP's Potentially Strongest Right-Wing Group — Who Could Join PM Orbán's Patriots for Europe". Hungarian Conservative. Retrieved 2024-07-02.

External links[edit]

Media related to Patriots for Europe at Wikimedia Commons

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Patriots_for_Europe&oldid=1233512576"