In a significant gathering at the Fortezza da Basso in Florence, leaders of far-right parties from across the European Union joined forces to discuss and pledge a radical transformation of the Brussels bloc.
The event, named “Free Europe”, was organised by the ID group, bringing together key figures from right-wing populist political party Lega in Italy, as well as allies from France, Romania, Germany, Bulgaria, and several other nations.
Italian MEP Susanna Ceccardi, representing Lega, shared her thoughts on the meeting, emphasising the coalition’s shared vision. In a statement sent to Express.co.uk, Ceccardi said: “Lega met at the Fortezza da Basso together with its French, Romanian, German, Bulgarian allies and many other nations to team up and discuss the objective of radically changing the European Union. We want a free Europe, a safe Europe, a Europe of peoples and territories, united and cooperating.”
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Ceccardi clarified that the group does not identify as eurosceptics but rather as advocates for the protection of citizens from what they perceive as technocrats attempting to erode cultural roots and values.
She criticised what she referred to as an “ideological Green Deal” that, in her view, harms economies and facilitates uncontrolled migration. Ceccardi added: “Europe can and must be reborn, and this new European Renaissance starts precisely from Florence.
“We are here to give our idea of Europe – said Marco Zanni, Lega MEP and ID President – a Europe made up of free citizens and not bureaucrats, a Europe that represents our territories and our people.” And he concluded: “There are those who call us eurosceptics but we are the only ones who work to save Europe and not the one that centralises and suffocates our identities, but one made of freedom.”
The gathering included a video message from Marine Le Pen, leader of Rassemblement National in France, who criticised the European Commission for allegedly acting against the interests of the people. Le Pen described the EU as a “technocratic fog” that sees people as commodities, interchangeable consumers without roots or borders.
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Geert Wilders, leader of the Party for Freedom in the Netherlands, expressed hope for a broader victory across Europe. “The victory in the Netherlands is the beginning of victory across Europe,” Wilders declared in a video message.
Lega leader Matteo Salvini, who hosted the gathering, concluded the meeting by emphasising the unity among the leaders and the importance of the Identity and Democracy group in shaping the future of Europe. “ID is here and will be crucial in Europe,” Salvini said.
Responding indirectly to the gathering in Florence, President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola expressed optimism about the pro-European choices available to citizens in the upcoming elections. However, she acknowledged the need to bridge the gap between the European Parliament and citizens, highlighting her commitment to engage with people outside the Brussels and Strasbourg’s bubble.
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