Orbán's Coalition in Europe
- Hungarian leader Orbán has formed a coalition of allies with similar goals.
- Their objective is to establish 'a Europe of nation states.'
- Orbán's influence in Europe extends beyond the perception of isolation.
Mujtaba Rahman, head of Eurasia Group’s Europe practice, highlights the rise of the far-right euroskeptic group, Patriots for Europe, which has become the third-largest bloc in the European Parliament under Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. This development marks a significant achievement for Orbán, who has successfully restructured Europe’s far-right landscape around his Fidesz party, which had previously faced political isolation after departing from the European People’s Party in 2019. Orbán has strengthened alliances with other far-right parties, notably France’s National Rally and the Dutch Freedom Party (PVV), which recently transitioned to the Patriots after gaining seats in their respective national elections. This coalition has enough votes to support the reappointment of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and her legislative agenda, although the Patriots will remain in opposition with limited influence over EU legislation. Despite this coalition, key members like Italy’s Brothers of Italy and Poland’s Law and Justice party have opted not to join Orbán, leaving Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in a position of balancing between far-right ideals and EU establishment. The European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group is facing challenges, as shifts in power dynamics within the EU Council may diminish their influence. While internal divisions among far-right parties persist, the outcomes of upcoming national elections could potentially enhance their representation in the European Parliament, allowing them to exert more influence in the future.