Le Pen and Meloni will join forces to block Europe

Renew MP and former Secretary of State in the Italian government, Sandro Gozi is concerned about the convergence of the right and far right in Europe.

Published by Le Tribune on 18 February 2024

We are at a critical turning point in our European history. And if we miss this turning point… we’ll all be in the dock. We need to open our eyes before it’s too late. The Meloni, Le Pen, Salvini… are preparing behind the scenes. Their supposed competition in the European elections is an illusion. Meloni allied with Marion and competing with Marine allied with Salvini? It’s a farce. It’s a show that will come to a screeching halt on 9 June, when they will all join forces in the Parliament to block and weaken Europe from within by preventing any real political reform. In Rome, as in Paris, they would have us believe another story. That of a far right that is moving closer to the right… Except that what is being called a rapprochement is the ‘ great replacement of the right by the far right ’.

Let’s not be fooled: those in France who are trying to present Meloni as a reasonable conservative are actually working to get Le Pen into office. Even some, like the Republicans within the EPP (European People’s Party), would have us believe that the far right has supposedly evolved into a conservative, pro-European movement. This is a delusion.

Those working for a right-wing-far-right alliance are complicit

Those in the French media and political spectrum who are working for a right-wing-far-right alliance and are trying to hide Giorgia Meloni’s true nature are complicit. Are they really sure that Meloni, who has gone from ‘ Putin the great European leader “ to unconditional support for Zelensky – thus signing a ”life insurance policy’ with Washington -, would not be ready to make a new about-turn with the same casualness if Trump ever returned to the White House? Behind their rhetoric lie their true intentions: divide and conquer and weaken our democracy to serve their own petty interests. It is also curious to note that among the extremes it is common to mix public affairs with family affairs. In France, the father, the daughter, the niece. In Italy, the two Meloni sisters and the brother-in-law who is Minister of Agriculture. It’s almost like playing a game of Seven Families!

Fear, fertile ground for the growth of populists

Populists thrive, here and elsewhere, on the same rhetoric. They exploit existing problems by amplifying them without actually solving them. They cultivate and maintain ‘fear in France and Europe’, fertile ground for their growth… They adapt their rhetoric to suit their interlocutor but, once in government, their contradictions lead to inaction. Today, Meloni is much more of an influencer than a President of the Council. From this point of view, she reminds us a lot of Bardella – who as an influencer is undoubtedly competitive – except that the latter is not in government. Meloni’s record in office is more than mediocre, since she solves nothing. Le Pen wouldn’t do any better. To give just two examples: in Italy, Meloni is raising taxes on farmers… but it’s Europe’s fault! She is raising taxes on fuel, but the drop in purchasing power is Europe’s fault!

Don’t give in to fear

Since 2016, our approach has always been to tackle challenges constructively in order to develop pragmatic and inclusive responses. So, yes, we sometimes make mistakes. Only the person who does nothing makes none. But it’s always more constructive than ‘there’s more to do’. Together, we can defend our democratic values and find practical solutions. Let’s not give in to fear, let’s not give in to hatred. Let us stand strong and united against the far right. The only alternative in Europe is us. Not the Glucksmanns who pretend to reinvent hot water while ignoring the real issues facing us. On 9 June, let’s write a new chapter in our European history. Let’s make sure that chapter is one of democracy, competence and progress.