Wikipedia

Patriots for Europe

Patriots for Europe (PfE or Patriots) is a right-wing to far-right sovereigntist[3] political group, formed as the third-largest group ahead of the tenth European Parliament.

Patriots for Europe
European Parliament group
English abbr.PfE
Patriots
Ideology
Political positionRight-wing[14] to far-right[18]
European partiesPatriots.eu (majority)
European Christian Political Movement (minority)
From8 July 2024; 3 months ago (8 July 2024)
Preceded byIdentity and Democracy
Chaired byJordan Bardella
MEP(s)
86 / 720

The group includes all but one member from the Identity and Democracy group and members from other groups. The group could also coordinate the work of its members at the European Council and the Council of the European Union.[19]

History

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Formation

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Fidesz had been unaffiliated at the European level since leaving 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, citing disagreements with the party's programme. The Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) belonged to the far-right Identity and Democracy (ID) group during the ninth term (2019–2024).[20]

On 30 June 2024, the founding of the group was announced at a press conference in Vienna 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).[21][22][23] Representatives of the three founding parties signed "A Patriotic Manifesto for a European Future",[24][25][26] setting out the alliance's ideological positions, including weakening the EU, a focus on European cultural identity, opposition to illegal immigration, and a revision of the European Green Deal.[27]

On 1 July, the nationalist Portuguese party Chega, with two MEPs, became the fourth member of the Patriots for Europe.[28][29] On 5 July, the Spanish Vox party also joined, leaving the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group.[30] The same day, the Dutch Party for Freedom (PVV), formerly part of the ID Group, also announced it would join.[31] On 6 July, the Danish People's Party and Vlaams Belang, both part of the ID group, announced they would also join, bringing the group above the minimum number of member states required for an official European Parliament group.[32][33] On 8 July, the National Rally (RN) and Lega were announced as new members of the group.[34][35] 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.[36] According to Le Monde, the RN waited until after the second round of the 2024 French legislative election for the announcement "for fear of reviving suspicion of pro-Russian sympathies".[37]

Potential members

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During the formation process, parties previously speculated as possible members of the new EU Group included:[38][39][40]

10th European Parliament (2024–present)

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On 8 July, Jordan Bardella, president of the French National Rally (RN), was named as the group's president.[52][53][54]

The Polish Confederation's National Movement, which won two MEPs, announced in July 2024 that it was in negotiations with Patriots for Europe, while the three Confederation MEPs from New Hope joined the ESN group, and the one Confederation of the Polish Crown MEP was not seeking to join.[55][56][57] Ultimately, the National Movement joined Patriots for Europe on 1 October.[58]

MEPs

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10th European Parliament

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Main article: List of members of the European Parliament (2024–2029)
 
Patriots for Europe has MEPs in 13 member states. Dark purple indicates member states sending multiple MEPs, light purple indicates member states sending a single MEP.
State National party Former political group European party MEPs[59]
  Austria Freedom Party of Austria
Freiheitliche Partei Österreichs (FPÖ) 		Identity and Democracy Patriots.eu
6 / 20
  Belgium Flemish Interest
Vlaams Belang (VB) 		Identity and Democracy Patriots.eu
3 / 22
  Czech Republic ANO 2011
ANO 2011 (ANO) 		Renew Europe[a] Patriots.eu
7 / 21
Přísaha Civic Movement[60]
Přísaha občanské hnutí (Přísaha) 		N/A None
1 / 21
Motorists for Themselves[61]
Motoristé sobě (AUTO) 		N/A None
1 / 21
  Denmark Danish People's Party
Dansk Folkeparti (DF) 		Identity and Democracy None
1 / 15
  France National Rally
Rassemblement National (RN) 		Identity and Democracy Patriots.eu
30 / 81
  Greece Voice of Reason
Φωνή Λογικής (ΦΛ) 		N/A Patriots.eu
1 / 21
  Hungary Fidesz – Hungarian Civic Alliance
Fidesz – Magyar Polgári Szövetség 		Non-Inscrits Patriots.eu
10 / 21
Christian Democratic People's Party
Kereszténydemokrata Néppárt (KDNP) 		European People's Party Group[b] None
1 / 21
  Italy League
Lega 		Identity and Democracy Patriots.eu
8 / 76
  Latvia Latvia First
Latvija pirmajā vietā (LPV) 		N/A ECPM
1 / 9
  Netherlands Party for Freedom
Partij voor de Vrijheid (PVV) 		Identity and Democracy[c] Patriots.eu
6 / 31
  Poland National Movement[d]
Ruch Narodowy (RN) 		Non-Inscrits None
2 / 53
  Portugal Enough!
Chega! 		N/A[e] Patriots.eu
2 / 21
  Spain Vox
Vox 		European Conservatives and Reformists[f] Patriots.eu
6 / 61
  European Union Total
86 / 720

Organization

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President

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President Took office Left office State Party
Jordan Bardella   8 July 2024 present   France  
National Rally

Bureau

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2024–present

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Group bureau during the 10th European Parliament.[53]

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

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ ANO announced its departure from ALDE and Renew Europe on 21 June 2024, with leader Andrej Babiš declaring that ANO would not be able to fulfill its program as part of those groups. ANO considered joining other EU political groups after its departure, before successfully negotiating the creation of the Patriots for Europe alliance with Fidesz and the FPÖ.
  2. ^ KDNP left the EPP party and the EPP group, after the EPP group decided to admit the TISZA party. After the creation of the Patriots for Europe alliance, KDNP decided to join.
  3. ^ Their MEP left PVV and eventually the ID group.
  4. ^ Part of the Confederation alliance. Its other members did not join.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ Vox left the ECR Group on 5 July.

References

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  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. ^ Jennifer Rankin (8 July 2024). "Le Pen and Orbán join forces in European parliament far-right alliance". The Guardian.
  9. ^ Sébastian Seibt (9 July 2024). "Le Pen, Orban and the 'Patriots for Europe': Is the EU being undermined from within?". France 24.
  10. ^ Piotr Maciej Kaczynski (9 July 2024). "PATRIOT GAMES: VIKTOR ORBAN GOES ON THE OFFENSIVE". Balkan Insight.
  11. ^ [8][9][10]
  12. ^ "France's RN to Lead New Right-Wing Group at EU Parliament – Reuters – 07/8/2024". Reuters. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
  13. ^ "Orbán's new right-wing group hits EU parliament threshold – Euractive – 07/8/2024". Euractive. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
  14. ^ [12][13]
  15. ^ "Hungary: Orban announces new far-right European alliance – DW – 06/30/2024". Deutsche Welle. Retrieved 2 July 2024.
  16. ^ "Portugal's far right joins Viktor Orbán's 'Patriots for Europe' alliance". 1 July 2024.
  17. ^ "Le Pen's National Rally to take control of far-right Patriots in EU Parliament". Politico. 8 July 2024. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
  18. ^ [15][16][17]
  19. ^ "Orban's new Patriots for Europe group is targeting the council, not the parliament". euobserver. 1 July 2024. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
  20. ^ "'Patriots for Europe': Hungary's Orban announces new EU Parliament alliance". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
  21. ^ "Hungary: Orban announces new far-right European alliance – DW – 06/30/2024". Deutsche Welle. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
  22. ^ "Patrioti pro Evropu. ANO, Fidesz a FPÖ zakládají novou politickou alianci". Deník (in Czech). Czech News Agency. 30 June 2024. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
  23. ^ "Vlastenci pro Evropu. ANO, Fidesz a Svobodná strana Rakouska zakládají politickou alianci". iROZHLAS (in Czech). 30 June 2024. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
  24. ^ "„Patriotisches Manifest – Erklärung mit Herbert Kickl, Viktor Orbán, Andrej Babiš & Harald Vilimsky"". Freedom Party of Austria. Vienna. 30 June 2024. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
  25. ^ "„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.
  26. ^ Andrej Babiš (30 June 2024). "VLASTENECKÝ MANIFEST PRO EVROPSKOU BUDOUCNOST"". Facebook (in Czech). Vienna. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
  27. ^ "Babiš, Orbán a Kickl zakládají vlasteneckou alianci". Novinky.cz (in Czech). Borgis. 30 June 2024. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
  28. ^ "Extrema-direita portuguesa junta-se à aliança "Patriotas pela Europa" de Viktor Orbán". euronews (in Portuguese). 1 July 2024. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
  29. ^ "Portugal's Chega party to join Orbán's new far-right alliance". POLITICO. 1 July 2024. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
  30. ^ "Vox leaves Meloni's ECR for Orban's new 'Patriots'". Ansa.it. 5 July 2024.
  31. ^ "x.com". Retrieved 7 July 2024.
  32. ^ "x.com". Retrieved 7 July 2024.
  33. ^ "x.com". Retrieved 7 July 2024.
  34. ^ "x.com". Retrieved 8 July 2024.
  35. ^ "x.com". Retrieved 8 July 2024.
  36. ^ Sajó, Dávid (6 July 2024). "A Dán Néppárt is csatlakozik Orbánék európai pártcsoportjához, megvan a szükséges létszám a frakcióhoz". Telex. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  37. ^ "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.
  38. ^ Scheffer, Joakim (1 July 2024). "The EP's Potentially Strongest Right-Wing Group — Who Could Join PM Orbán's Patriots for Europe?". Hungarian Conservative. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
  39. ^ "Portugal's far right joins Orbán's 'Patriots for Europe' alliance". Euronews. 1 July 2024. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
  40. ^ Zachová, Aneta (30 June 2024). "Orbán, Babiš, Kickl create new "patriotic" alliance to redefine EU policies, eye new Parliament group". Euractiv. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
  41. ^ Benakis, Theodoros (1 July 2024). "Far-right AfD eyes Orbán's new group in the European Parliament". European Interest. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  42. ^ Stellmacher, John (1 July 2024). "New European right-wing alliance initially without AfD". aussiedlerbote.de. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  43. ^ Starcevic, Seb; Wax, Eddy (10 July 2024). "New far-right group led by Germany's AfD founded in European Parliament". POLITICO. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
  44. ^ Genovese, Vincenzo (3 July 2024). "Poland's Law and Justice says no to Orbán's Patriots and stays with Meloni's group in EU Parliament". Yahoo News.
  45. ^ Zmušková, Barbara; Griera, Max (8 July 2024). "Orbán v europarlamente zabodoval. Patrioti pre Európu môžu mať reálnu moc". Euractiv (in Slovak).
  46. ^ Liboreiro, Jorge; Genovese, Vincenzo (10 July 2024). "AfD and allies form new far-right group in Brussels called Europe of Sovereign Nations". Euronews.
  47. ^ Scheffer, Joakim (1 July 2024). "The EP's Potentially Strongest Right-Wing Group — Who Could Join PM Orbán's Patriots for Europe". Hungarian Conservative. Retrieved 2 July 2024.
  48. ^ HARZER, FILIP (10 July 2024). "Europoslanci Směru dali vale socialistům, mluví se o námluvách s Patrioty". Seznam Zprávy (in Czech). Retrieved 10 July 2024.
  49. ^ Silenská, Natália (12 July 2024). "Fico's Smer will not join new Patriots for Europe group, cites ideological divide". Euractiv.
  50. ^ Ahmet Gencturk (12 July 2024). "Slovak premier hints his social democratic party won't join right-wing Patriots alliance in European Parliament". Anadolu Ajansı.
  51. ^ Dlhopolec, Peter; Eisenchteter, Jules; Ciobanu, Claudia; Watson, Nicholas (5 July 2024). "Democracy Digest: Hungary Centre Stage as EU Presidency Begins and PM Visits Kyiv". Balkan Insight. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
  52. ^ Fortuna, Gerardo (8 July 2024). "Far-right Patriots group springs to third force in European Parliament". Euronews. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
  53. ^ a b "Patriots for Europe become the third largest group in the European Parliament". Agenparl. 8 July 2024. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
  54. ^ "Patriots for Europe becomes EU parliament's 3rd-largest group, picks Jordan Bardella as president". Politico Europe. 8 July 2024. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
  55. ^ ADAMCZYK, GRZEGORZ (3 July 2024). "Confederation MEP rules out alliance with Germany's AfD, eyes other European groups". Remix.
  56. ^ "Konfederacja podzielona w europarlamencie? Źródło: troje z AfD, dwoje z Orbanem, a z Braunem nikt nie rozmawia". TV24. 9 July 2024.
  57. ^ "Polish Konfederacja split between Patriots and Sovereigntists in European Parliament". Brussels Signal. 10 July 2024.
  58. ^ @PatriotsEP (1 October 2024). "With MEP @annabrylka and MEP @buczek_tomasz, the Patriots in the European Parliament are gaining two new MEPs" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  59. ^ "MEPs by Member State and political group". Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  60. ^ "MEP: Nikola BARTŮŠEK". European Union. 16 July 2024. Retrieved 19 July 2024.
  61. ^ "MEP: Filip TUREK". European Union. 16 July 2024. Retrieved 19 July 2024.
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