Far-right party, AfD, reportedly mulling over formation of a new parliamentary group in the European Parliament.
Following their expulsion from the Identität und Demokratie (ID) Right-Wing Faction in the European Parliament, the AfD is apparently planning to set up a new group called "The Sovereignists." As per a leaked internal email, an AfD loyalist has requested a space for a hundred people and catering for a "constituent meeting of a new group" from the European Parliament, according to "Spiegel."
Potential members of the new group might include right-wing parties such as SOS Rumanien, Se Acabo La Fiesta (The Party is Over) from Spain, the Democratic Patriotic Movement from Greece, the Konfederacja Wolność i Niepodległość (Confederation Liberty and Independence) from Poland, the Hnutie Republika (Republic Movement) from Slovakia, and the Hungarian party Hazank Mozgalom (Our Homeland), along with Sarah Knafo from the French Reconquête, girlfriend and adviser of party leader Eric Zemmour.
The European elections saw a considerable increase in votes for right-wing parties. In Germany, the AfD received 15.9% of the votes, finishing second. Right-populist parties were the top performers in France, Italy, and Austria. However, the European People's Party (EVP) with CDU and CSU stayed the strongest force in the European Parliament.
The second right-wing group in the European Parliament, the Europäische Konservativen und Reformer (ECR), is aiming to become the third strongest group in the Parliament. The party includes the Italian party Fratelli d'Italia (Brothers of Italy) led by Minister President Giorgia Meloni.
The foundation of the group, according to "Spiegel," is supposedly the Sofia Declaration of the pro-Russian far-right party Wiedergeburt (Revival) from Bulgaria, issued in April 2024. This declaration demands an end to EU bureaucracy, stating that the European civilization is under threat from the aggression of globalist ideologies, and that the right of peoples to self-determination is being replaced by the dictatorship of a bureaucracy. Regarding the Russian attack on Ukraine, peace negotiations are demanded.
The AfD was thrown out of the ID after their leading candidate Maximilian Krah downplayed comments regarding the SS. At present, the party does not have a group in the European Parliament.
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After their expulsion from the Identität und Demokratie (ID) Right-Wing Faction, the AfD is considering joining forces with other right-wing parties to form a new parliamentary group in the EU Parliament, dubbed "The Sovereignists." This move comes as a response to the AfD's expulsion due to the controversial comments made by their leading candidate Maximilian Krah regarding the SS.
The potential creation of this new group raises concerns about the rise of right-wing extremism in the EU Parliament, with the AfD and potential allies such as the German party Hazank Mozgalom (Our Homeland) and French Reconquête, among others, advocating for anti-globalist and pro-Russian stances.
