Sixteen far-right populist parties have joined forces to oppose the political direction of the European Union, declaring the bloc "a tool of radical forces".
The parties that signed the statement include Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's Fidesz, Poland's Law and Justice, France's National Front led by Marine Le Pen, Austria's Freedom Party, Spain's VOX and the League of Italy and the Italian Brotherhood. headed by Matteo Salvini respectively Giorgia Meloni.
The signatories of the declaration come from different political groups that have often struggled to work together, with some of them suggesting this is a step towards forming a single group.
"The EU is increasingly becoming a tool of radical forces that are carrying out a cultural, religious transformation and ultimately the construction of a nation-less Europe aimed at creating a European superstate," the statement said. write Politico.
"Nations in the EU must be based on tradition, respect for the culture and history of European states, respect for Europe's Judeo-Christian heritage and the common values that unite our nations. We reaffirm our belief that the family is the fundamental unit of our nations. At a time when Europe is facing a serious demographic crisis with low birth rates and an aging population, pro-family policymaking must be a response instead of mass immigration," the statement continues.
They called for the EU to be reformed with "a set of inviolable competences of its member states and an appropriate mechanism for their protection with the participation of constitutional courts or equivalent bodies".
In terms of policies, the National Front is friendly to Russia, while Poland's Law and Justice Party has a tough stance against Moscow. When it comes to personalities, Orbán has previously been reluctant to align himself with Le Pen.
The statement also marked a step away from Orban, who until March of this year was part of the main group of the European People's Party.
Nicolas Bay, who heads the National Front delegation to the European Parliament, said the aim of the manifesto is to form a broader group "in the coming months".
But Ryszard Legutko, a senior MEP from the Polish Law and Justice party, said he had "no intention" of forming a new group in the European Parliament.
"This does not affect the configuration of the groups," said Legutko, co-chair of the European Conservatives and Reformists group in the EP. /Telegraph/
