Europe's political landscape is facing a dramatic change as Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Austrian politician Herbert Kickl plan to form a new far-right parliamentary group. This move, according to Kickl, marks the entry into a "new era of freedom, sovereignty, peace, prosperity and values" in European politics. Orban also stressed the importance of this "new era" and sees the creation of a new political group as a decisive moment.
The goals of the new alliance include fighting illegal migration, promoting traditional family values and ending the Ukraine conflict. Through a Patriotic Manifesto, Orban, Kickl and former Czech Prime Minister Babis promise "peace, security and development" as an alternative to what they denounce as war, migration and the stagnation of the Brussels elite.
To be recognized as an official group in the EU Parliament, the new alliance still needs support from parties from four other countries. Right-wing populist parties, including Fidesz, FPO and ANO, made significant gains in the EU elections in June. In total, these parties secured twenty seats in the European Parliament, with Fidesz receiving eleven, FPO six and ANO seven.
Orban's Fidesz party is currently non-attached in the EU Parliament, having left the largest group, the European People's Party (EPP), due to democratic disagreements. The FPO belongs to the right-wing populist group Identity and Democracy (ID), while ANO is leaving the liberal Renew Europe group, opening up possibilities for future cooperation with other right-wing parties such as the AfD.
The AfD was recently expelled from the ID group, prompting it to look for new partners in the EU Parliament. Alice Weidel, the leader of the AfD, expressed reservations about re-engaging with the ID group and is instead exploring potential cooperation opportunities with other parties on the right-wing spectrum.
The move by Orban and Kickl to form a far-right parliamentary group sends clear signals about the future development of European politics. Looking ahead to the coming months, the formation of this alliance and the reactions of other parties in the EU Parliament will be of great importance for Europe's political course.
Source: die-nachrichten.at
