Leaders of the Patriots Eurogroup, the third-largest bloc in the European Parliament with 86 MEPs, are meeting under the slogan MEGA (Make Europe Great Again)—a phrase inspired by Donald Trump’s MAGA and reportedly coined with the backing of billionaire Elon Musk. The focus of the gathering is on strategies to “resist the European establishment,” namely the dominant European People’s Party and European Socialists.
Musk, a known Trump ally and outspoken supporter of Europe’s far-right, has given his endorsement to the summit. His growing influence in European politics has already been evident through his vocal backing of Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), which is projected to finish second in the country’s upcoming parliamentary elections.
According to El País, today’s event is hosted by Santiago Abascal, leader of Spain’s far-right Vox party. The keynote speech will be delivered by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, with additional addresses expected from leaders of far-right nationalist parties in the Czech Republic, Estonia, Poland, and Greece. Greece will be represented by MEP Afroditi Latinopoulou of Voice of Reason.
Also scheduled to speak are Dutch politician Geert Wilders, leader of the far-right Freedom Party (PVV), which won the 2023 elections and is now part of a ruling coalition, and Matteo Salvini, Italy’s deputy prime minister and head of the hard-right Lega party.
Meloni’s Absence Highlights a Rift
Salvini’s participation underscores growing tensions between Vox and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Once a staunch ally of Vox, Meloni distanced herself last December by excluding the Spanish party from her youth movement’s events in Italy. Unlike other far-right leaders, Meloni is positioning herself as a mainstream conservative force within the EU, balancing good relations with both Trump and Musk.
Notably, Meloni was the only European leader to attend Trump’s 2017 inauguration. The Patriots delegation at the time also engaged with members of the ultra-conservative Heritage Foundation in Washington. Last night, the Heritage Foundation, a key player in shaping Trump’s policy agenda, hosted a private dinner in Madrid for the Patriots’ leadership.
Salvini, a strong Musk supporter, has even pushed for Musk’s Starlink satellites to provide full coverage of Italy—an initiative fiercely opposed by the Italian opposition.
The Patriots and Their Ties to Musk
The Patriots have actively courted Musk’s favor in the European Parliament. Last September, they nominated him for the EU’s prestigious Sakharov Prize for Human Rights and Freedom of Thought—though the award ultimately went to opposition leaders in Venezuela. More recently, in January, they invited Musk to deliver a speech in the European Parliament on freedom of expression.
The Patriots Eurogroup was formed after the 2024 European elections, uniting parties that previously belonged to the Identity and Democracy (ID) group. Collectively, they secured over 19 million votes in last June’s elections. The group’s leader in the European Parliament is Jordan Bardella, an MEP from Marine Le Pen’s National Rally, which contributes the largest share of MEPs (30) to the far-right alliance.
Trump’s Influence on European Far-Right Politics
Trump’s ability to swiftly implement policies has deeply impressed Patriots leaders. Bardella, for example, has praised Trump’s rapid deportation of Colombian migrants. However, despite their admiration, European far-right leaders remain wary of Trump’s economic nationalism. Bardella has warned that Trump’s potential tariffs on French products could devastate French farmers—a key voting bloc for his party—highlighting the complex relationship between Trump’s policies and the interests of Europe’s far-right.
Source: tovima.com
στο Google News και μάθετε πρώτοι όλες τις ειδήσειςLatest News
How to Buy Your First Home Tax Free In Greece
Greece's tax authority has compiled a guide addressing the most common questions regarding the transfer tax exemption for first-time home purchases.
Greece’s Inflation Eases to 2.5% in February, but Key Costs Still Soar
The data shows significant price increases in certain sectors, with hotels seeing a rise of 17.5%, air travel prices going up by 10.8%, rent rising by 9.9%, and health insurance premiums climbing by 7%.
Greek Tourism Booms with 6-7% Rise in Bookings This Season
Data from ITB Berlin highlights Crete and Rhodes as the top-performing destinations, maintaining their strong appeal among European travelers with double-digit booking increases.
ENFIA 2025 Property Tax Statements Now Available on Taxisnet
Properties valued at up to 500,000 euros that are insured against earthquakes, fires, and floods for the entire duration of 2024 will receive a 20% discount, double the 10% offered last year.
Attica’s Real Estate Market: Prices Surge 88% Since 2017
The city center remains a key area of interest, with an average asking price of 2,524 euros per square meter, reflecting a 5.21% increase from February 2024.
Cruise Tourism in Greece to Soar Despite Santorini’s Earthquakes
Another key development in Greece’s cruise industry is the increase in port fees, particularly in high-traffic destinations like Mykonos and Santorini
The Gender Pay Gap: Women Are Still Paying the Price of Inequality
The gender pay gap continues to persist across the European Union, according to Eurostat - Factors such as workplace discrimination, stereotypes, and the unequal distribution of family responsibilities contribute to its ongoing existence
International Women’s Day: The Legacy of Theresa Serber Malkiel
Many accounts have long associated the origins of International Women’s Day with a supposed March 8, 1857, textile workers’ strike in New York. Some even claim that Malkiel intended to honor that event
International Women’s Day: Celebrating Achievements, Advancing Equality
The United Nations plays a central role in International Women’s Day celebrations, selecting an annual theme to highlight pressing issues affecting women worldwide.
Morningstar DBRS Upgrades Greece to BBB, Trend Changed to Stable
The trend on all ratings has returned to stable from positive,
![Μισθοί: Κρίσιμο ζήτημα η γεφύρωση του χάσματος των δύο φύλων[γραφήματα]](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/ot_men_women_salaries-600x352.png)
![Ποιοι απαλλάσσονται από τον Ενιαίο Φόρο Ιδιοκτησίας Ακινήτων 2025 [Α Μέρος]](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/akinita-888-efimerida-600x400.jpg)
