Hungary's Orban Forms Far-Right 'Patriots for Europe' with Austria and Czech Republic, Reaches 23 MEPs

Jun 30, 2024, 08:47 AM

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has announced the formation of a new political group named 'Patriots for Europe' in collaboration with nationalist forces in Austria and the Czech Republic. This alliance includes Austria's far-right FPÖ and the Czech centrist ANO party led by ex-premier Andrej Babis. The group has already reached the threshold of 23 MEPs but will need to attract more members to form the largest far-right faction in the European Parliament. Orban, who is set to take over the rotating EU Council presidency, has been a vocal critic of the EU's policies, particularly on migration and the Ukraine conflict, accusing the EU of blackmailing Ukraine. He has vowed to 'Make Europe Great Again' and has accused the Brussels elite of promoting war, migration, and stagnation. Orban's frequent attacks on Brussels and his warm relations with Russia have left Hungary increasingly isolated within the EU.