The new nationalist deal in the European Parliament. The vision of the I&D group
(B2) The creation of the new 'nationalist' group located on the extreme right of the European chessboard constitutes, even if some minimize it, an event in the padded circle of the European Parliament
With its 73 deputies, the group called 'Identity and Democracy' (I&D) (see box) is the fifth in the hemicycle (1), just behind the Greens. Failing to obtain key positions in the direction of Parliament – vice-presidency or chairman of a parliamentary committee in particular – he could influence the debates.
During their first eventful press conference (read: Faced with certain excesses, our duty: to recall the democratic rule), on June 13, the leaders of the new nationalist group gave some indications on their policy, the coherence of the group, Brexit, the meaning of the European Union, their involvement in the governing bodies of Parliament, etc.
Government maturity
It's a " slightly different group because the participation of several of us in governments gives us a different maturity insists Marine Le Pen, leader of the National Rally (RN). " There is a sovereigntist bloc of about 200 votes. This will increase and recompose the political offer within this Parliament. It's an exciting prospect. “And to add:” All these forces will converge to make proposals, give a new political color to the discussions of the European assembly.
The distribution of posts
« Will the European Parliament respect democracy, the weight we represent? Or will they offer the responsibilities to which we are entitled? asks the Frenchwoman. And to add: Things have to change, because the citizens demand it”.
A coherent vision
“Our group is perhaps the most coherent of all the groups that will emerge in the European Parliament reacted Marine Le Pen, faced with questions from journalists about the group's consistency. " We are not children, we are politicians. We have worked a lot upstream. We know full well that we are different nations, we have differences, but we have a common vision. »
The will to change the European Union, not to destroy it
« No one wants the destruction of the European Union. What we want is a radical change” said Italian MEP from the Northern League, Marco Zanni, president of the group. A point that seems interesting in the speech and thus contradicts a nihilistic vision of Nigel Farage's Brexiteers.
The central axis: respect for national identities, including British
“We respect national identities and national choices..." added the Italian when asked about the UK's departure from the EU: it is " the choice of the British. We must respect it. »
Aborted negotiations with Brexit and Vox
He also gave some explanations on the aborted negotiations with certain other groups (such as Brexit or Vox). " The door remains open to anyone who wants to cooperate with us. Those who share our political line can discuss with us. But everyone who wants to join this group must adhere to our declaration Commented Marco Zanni referring to Nigel Farage (Brexit) who does not seem to have wanted to sign this declaration. With Voice" there were discussions, it was said that they were always ready to cooperate, they might join the ECR [the conservative group]. »
Remove sanctions on Russia
« Clearly, we are not for an extension of the sanctions on Russia says Jörg Meuthen (AfD). " They haven't changed anything. We must find a pragmatic way with Russia »
(Nicolas Gros-Verheyde)
The I & D group: a snub to Nigel Farage
The name of the new nationalist group 'Identity and Democracy' will mean something to regulars in European spans. I searched in my archives. His initials (I&D) have already been used in the past to refer to the eurosceptic group, led by the Dane Jens-Peter Bonde and the Briton Nigel Farage in the 6th legislature, from 2004 to 2009: “Independence and Democracy”!
Formed in July 2004, out of the rubble of the former Europe of Democracies and Diversities (EDD) group, 'Independence and Democracy24 deputies from 9 countries were formed. But it was the British deputies of UKIP who formed the main backbone (with 10 deputies). Their motive: opposition to the European Constitution and resistance against the centralization and bureaucratization of Europe ».
(1) And not the fourth as indicated by Marco Zanni. Read also: Elections 2019. The political groups in the European Parliament are gradually forming
NB: this paper had been prepared in the wake of the group's press conference, but I delayed it in its publication, the time that the behaviors, to say the least difficult to qualify, of certain RN MEPs and group administrators fade away for have all the serenity necessary for an article as objective as possible.
