France’s Far-Right Seeks to Unite Across Europe
French far-right leader Marine Le Pen is hosting a gathering of key allies from across Europe, including Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, in a show of unity among the continent’s anti-immigration political forces.
The meeting, taking place in the French city of Cannes, brings together representatives from nationalist and populist parties that have gained significant ground in recent years, capitalizing on growing public concerns over immigration and perceived threats to national identity.
Le Pen, the former leader of the National Rally party (formerly the National Front), has long sought to position herself as a unifying figure for the far-right in Europe. This latest gathering is seen as an attempt to demonstrate the strength and cohesion of this political movement, which has gained traction in countries like Hungary, Italy, and Poland.
“This meeting is a chance for us to come together and show that there is a viable alternative to the failing policies of the European Union,” Le Pen said in a statement. “We share a common vision for a Europe of sovereign nations, focused on protecting our borders, our culture, and our way of life.”
Among the key figures attending the event is Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, whose right-wing Fidesz party has implemented hardline anti-immigration policies and faced criticism from the EU over democratic backsliding. Orban’s presence is seen as a significant boost for Le Pen, as she seeks to build bridges between different strands of the European far-right.
Critics have denounced the gathering as a dangerous attempt to legitimize and normalize extremist ideologies. “This is not about protecting European values, but about promoting a divisive, xenophobic agenda that goes against the principles of democracy and human rights,” said Yannick Jadot, a French Green party politician.
The meeting comes at a time of heightened political tensions across the continent, with the far-right making steady gains in countries like Sweden, Italy, and France itself. Le Pen’s own presidential bid in 2022 was narrowly defeated by incumbent Emmanuel Macron, but she remains a powerful and influential figure on the French political landscape.
As Europe grapples with the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, the cost-of-living crisis, and the ongoing war in Ukraine, the appeal of nationalist and populist rhetoric shows no signs of waning. The Cannes gathering is a stark reminder of the challenges facing the continent’s mainstream political parties as they seek to counter the rise of the far-right.
