Newly elected MEPs joined forces on Tuesday to prevent the “Patriots for Europe” group, chaired by Jordan Bardella, from gaining important positions in the European Parliament in Strasbourg. The exclusion of the National Rally from key positions, an objective for the presidential camp and the left in the National Assembly, is now a reality in the European Parliament.
This exclusion comes despite the significant breakthrough of the national rights in the European Parliament. The “Patriots for Europe” formation has become the third force in the chamber, bringing together 84 MEPs from the National Rally (RN), the Spanish Vox party, and allies of the Hungarian Viktor Orban, who recently visited Putin.
Ambitions dismissed
Numerically important, this new formation could have obtained two of the 14 vice-presidencies of the European Parliament according to the usual distribution. The far-right group had proposed Frenchman Fabrice Leggeri, former head of Frontex, and Czech Klara Dostalova for these positions. However, they were excluded by the vote of other political forces.
Rejections and reactions
Fabrice Leggeri expressed his disappointment by declaring: “We have the impression that we do not respect the vote of the voters”. Pedro Lopez de Pablo, spokesperson for the EPP, the main right-wing party in Strasbourg, justified this decision by saying: "We do not want to see Putin's friends representing the institution." Terri Reintke, co-leader of the Greens, had already called for “maintaining the cordon more than ever”.
Controversial figures like Italian general Roberto Vannacci, author of homophobic, misogynistic and anti-migrant remarks, indeed arouse strong reluctance. The formation could also be excluded from the chairs of parliamentary committees next week.
Reactions in France
Marie Toussaint, former leader of the Greens for the European elections, welcomed the decision as “good news”. Manon Aubry, of the Insoumis, also welcomed the decline of the far right, asking if this position should not serve as a “lesson for France” while key positions in the National Assembly must be allocated starting this Thursday.
A notable exception
The other main far-right party in the European Parliament, ECR, with its 78 MEPs associated with the head of the Italian government Giorgia Meloni, obtained two vice-presidencies. Unlike the Patriots, these elected officials are Atlanticist and in favor of military support for Ukraine, which allows them to escape the cordon santé.
This exclusion of Patriots for Europe from key positions in the European Parliament marks a new stage in the fight against the influence of the far right in Europe, while highlighting internal divisions among far-right parties.
