AfD and allies form new right-wing group in Brussels called Europe of Sovereign Nations
A new right group has been formed in the European Parliament under the name “Europe of Sovereign Nations” (ESN). It gathers controversial parties in Europe, like AfD, that until today lacked political affiliation due to the radical character of their ideas.
The formation encompasses 25 MEPs from eight member states That’s enough to establish a formal group in the hemicycle and avoid the category of non-attached. That label greatly reduces the relevance and speaking time of lawmakers. Its composition and name were announced on Wednesday afternoon after a constitutive meeting in Brussels, ending days of mounting speculation. The news comes just two days after the emergence of Viktor Orbán’s Patriots for Europe. This cements the reconfiguration of far-right forces in the wake of the June elections.
Despite their varied nature, the eight parties of ESN are united by a staunch opposition to migration management, the Green Deal, social progressivism, and military assistance to Ukraine. All of this sets them on a collision course with the mainstream. Additionally, they all contest the project of European integration. Countries delegate some of their competences to supranational institutions, to build a political and economic union. Hence, the prominence of the term “sovereignty” in the title.
Member parties in Europe
The Europe of Sovereign Nations is made up of:
- Germany’s Alternative for Germany (AfD): 14 MEPs
- Poland’s Confederation: 3 MEPs
- Bulgaria’s Revival: 3 MEPs
- France’s Reconquête: 1 MEP
- Slovakia’s Republika: 1 MEP
- Czechia’s Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD): 1 MEP
- Hungary’s Our Homeland Movement: 1 MEP
- Lithuania’s People and Justice Union: 1 MEP
The leading voice in the group is AfD, dominating more than half of the seats in Europe of Sovereign Nations. One of its lawmakers, René Aust, has been named co-president, alongside Stanisław Tyszka from Confederation. “We have come together because we share the goal of having a significant impact on Europe’s political future through decisive action and strategic planning. This can only succeed collectively, as European history shows. Influence has always been wielded by those who had the courage to organize and act strategically,” Aust and Tyszka said. “We choose this path not because it is easy, but because it is necessary to realize our shared vision of a strong, united, and forward-looking Europe of Fatherlands.”
Arguably one of Europe’s most notorious far-right parties, the AfD has been accused of promoting ethno-nationalist beliefs, spreading Islamophobia, engaging in historical revisionism, and denying the existence of man-made climate change.