Tensions are growing between European parties on the right, with the Alternative for Germany (AfD) now openly criticizing Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni for presiding over a huge increase in immigration into Italy and her pro-war stances in the Ukraine conflict.
“We will not bend our program for anyone. That must also be clear for us, including our political positions, which are correct, which have currently brought us to second place in the polls in Germany, which offer unique selling points and which we will not bend in favor of European positions just so that we are more attractive to some. We see this in Italy. Migration has actually doubled there under Prime Minister (Giorgia) Meloni. Open borders instead of blockades. Meloni is also in favor of more weapons in the Ukraine war and confrontation with Russia instead of peace and diplomacy for Europe. I want to make it clear that this Melonization will not happen with us,” said AfD co-chairman Tino Chrupalla at the AfD Saxony state party conference.
“For us, German interests always come first,” he added.
The sharp criticism of Meloni, who leads the Brothers of Italy party, comes after the AfD was expelled from the Identity and Democracy (ID) group in the EU parliament earlier this month. Notably, France’s National Rally’s Marine Le Pen pushed for AfD to be kicked out of the group after AfD MEP Maximilian Krah made comments that not all soldiers who served with the Waffen-SS were war criminals, as reported by Remix News.
Le Pen’s move just before EU parliamentary elections has been seen as a major betrayal of a European coalition partner, and a desperate attempt to improve her party’s image in the eyes of the French public.
Now, there are rumors that Le Pen may be preparing to form a new right-leaning group along with Italy’s Meloni, or to potentially join Meloni’s group, the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR).
Critics, including many in the AfD, argue that Meloni and Le Pen no longer represent the right. Notably, Meloni’s rhetoric on immigration has radically shifted since she took power, and she has embraced open borders and more legal migration.
While many across the European right have been critical of Meloni and Le Pen, their parties remain on top in both Italy and France. Meloni’s support has dipped only slightly over the last year and currently remains the most popular party with 27 percent support. Le Pen has seen her support rise and currently sits at 34 percent.
