Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has called for far-right leaders Giorgia Meloni of Italy and Marine Le Pen of France to set aside their rivalry and strengthen cooperation following the upcoming European Parliament election in June. In an interview with French magazine Le Point, Orban emphasized the potential power of their collaboration, stating that together they could be a formidable force for Europe.
With polls indicating a surge in support for nationalist and eurosceptic parties in the upcoming election, Orban’s call for unity among far-right factions comes at a crucial time. While the possibility of forming a single, cohesive far-right bloc in Europe remains uncertain due to differences between Meloni and Le Pen on key issues such as the Ukraine war and relations with Russia, Orban expressed his party’s intention to join Meloni’s ECR bloc post-election.
Orban’s remarks suggest a shifting landscape within Europe’s far-right political sphere, with the expulsion of the German far-right party AfD from Le Pen’s ID camp potentially paving the way for greater cooperation between Meloni and Le Pen. As discussions around potential candidates to lead the European Commission continue, Orban emphasized the need for new leadership and refrained from endorsing any specific individuals at this stage.
As the European Parliament election draws near, the dynamics between far-right leaders in Europe are evolving, with Orban’s call for unity signaling a potential realignment within the political landscape of the continent.