Marine Le Pen and Viktor Orban unite to criticize EU immigration policy

In France on June 9, 2025, several far-right European leaders convened to demonstrate their discontent with the European Union's immigration policies. Marine Le Pen, leader of France's National Rally, hosted a gathering known as the 'victory celebration,' marking one year since her party achieved a significant electoral victory in the European Parliament elections, where they garnered 31.37% of the votes. Speeches delivered during the event included vehement criticisms aimed at the EU, labeling it a 'merchant empire' with a so-called 'programmed war' driven by its current policies. Viktor Orban, the Prime Minister of Hungary, expressed his concerns by endorsing the controversial conspiracy theory surrounding 'the great replacement.' He presented European migration policies as an orchestrated effort to replace the cultural foundations of Europe, framing this agenda as highly dangerous and politically motivated. These sentiments were echoed by Italy's Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, who described the incoming waves of migrants as an 'invasion' primarily comprised of illegal immigrants. The rally attracted a few thousand supporters, fueling the fervor of those who oppose the EU's current approaches toward migration and multiculturalism. This nationalistic gathering is indicative of a broader trend among far-right parties across Europe, which are finding common ground in their stance against perceived threats from immigration and the EU's governance. The meeting is not just a celebration of past successes but a strategic push for these parties to unify their efforts and consolidate support against the EU's policies. As European nations grapple with migration issues, the rhetoric espoused by Le Pen and Orban is likely to resonate with voters who feel that their cultural identities are at stake due to liberal migration policies enacted by Brussels.