Far-Right Leaders Rally Behind Salvini in Italy

Far-Right Leaders Rally Behind Salvini in Pontida

In Pontida, Italy, a gathering of Europe's far-right leaders showcased robust support for Matteo Salvini, Italy's Deputy Prime Minister. The leaders, including Jordan Bardella of France's National Rally, Geert Wilders from the Netherlands, and André Ventura of Portugal's Chega, hailed Salvini as a hero for his efforts to protect Italian borders. This support comes amid Salvini's legal challenges stemming from a 2019 decision to block a migrant ship from docking in Lampedusa, for which he faces potential imprisonment. The Pontida rally, organized by Italy's League party, also featured Hungary's Viktor Orbán, who criticized the European Union's policies, labeling them as punitive towards Hungary. Orbán threatened retaliatory actions by potentially sending migrants to Brussels if the EU continued its stance. Salvini further stirred the pot by suggesting that citizenship should be revoked for immigrants committing crimes. The event underscored the shared agenda of these far-right leaders, emphasizing national sovereignty and stringent immigration controls. Salvini's rhetoric at the rally extended to current clashes in Rome, where he attributed the unrest to pro-Palestinian protesters and leftist groups. Meanwhile, Orbán's critique of EU environmental policies as 'ecoterroristic' resonated with Salvini's call for protecting Italian businesses and farmers. Through this assembly, Salvini and his European allies reinforced their shared vision against EU policies, particularly on immigration. The convergence in Pontida highlighted a unified front among Europe's far-right leaders, signaling their intent to shape the continent's political discourse.