Representatives of the member parties of the European Parliament’s Identity and Democracy Group met in Florence on Sunday 3 December to discuss the future of Europe – a “free Europe”, according to the theme of the meeting, which also focused on jobs, security and common sense.
“For the first time, the forces of the centre-right, united and determined, can win and free Brussels from bureaucratic drift and left-wing fanaticism on issues that are decisive for the future of Europe’s citizens”, said Matteo Salvini, who hosted the meeting and explained that it was the beginning of “the resurgence of Europe, which will be the Europe of Freedoms”. He called for a “a Europe of rights, instead of a Europe of cuts”.
“It is because we love Europe that we are fighting the policies pursued by the European Union”, stressed French MEP Jordan Bardella.
Mr Salvini explained that the aim was to become “at least” the third largest group in the European Parliament in terms of elected representatives, “after the centre-right and the socialists” and to be decisive.
On X (formerly Twitter), Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán sent his best wishes to “all (his) friends gathered in Florence”. “The winds of change are here! Free Europe”. His party, Fidesz, was expelled from the EPP group and its members are now non-attached. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)