The first goal of the European
Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) caucus at the European
Parliament is to "defend our nations," ECR Chair and Italian
Premier Giorgia Meloni told the caucus in unveiling its
manifesto for the June 8-9 European elections in Strasbourg
Tuesday evening.
"Our first objective will be to defend our nations from attempts
to deprive them of their powers," she told a rally of the
conservative parties including Spain's Vox, Poland's Law and
Justice, Eric Zemmour's French Reconquete (Reconquest), the
Sweden Democrats, and the Finns Party, a group which is led by
Meloni's Brothers of Italy (FdI) party and is soon set to see
the arrival of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's Fidesz
too.
"'Doing less, doing better' is our mantra.
"The principle of subsidiarity is our compass.
"It is this that makes Europe strong and united, an impressive
network of culture, economies, histories and opinions that make
us what we are".
The Meloni-led ECR is hoping to forge alliances to upset the
centre-left-centre-right-liberal colaition currently leading the
EU.
In the current 9th European Parliament, the centre right and
Christian Democrat European People's Party (EPP), which features
Italy's post Berlusconi Forza Italia, a domestic ally of
Meloni's, formed a coalition with the Progressive Alliance of
Socialists and Democrats and Renew Europe to elect Ursula von
der Leyen as president of the European Commission.
As well as Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani's
FI, the other Italian domestic coalition member is Deputy
Premier and Transport Minister Matteo Salvini's League, which
belongs to the Identity and Freedom (ID) caucus at the EP along
with Marine Le Pen's Natonal Rally and Alternative for Germany.
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