Patriots for Europe is a new initiative in the European Parliament, gaining support from various far-right parties across Europe. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, former Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, and Austrian Freedom Party leader Herbert Kickl announced the formation of the group in Vienna on June 30.
The Danish People's Party, previously a member of the Identity and Democracy (ID) faction, has introduced its sole MEP, Anders Vistisen, to the Patriots.
Vistisen expressed enthusiasm about future cooperation with members from Spain, the Czech Republic, and Hungary on his profile on Platform X, hoping the Patriots will become the third-largest political force in the European Parliament.
“We’re sure that being the 3ed largest group we can send a clear signal to the federalist extremist and defend a Europe of national states," he wrote.
Although the Danish People's Party contributes only one seat to the new faction, it is the seventh member state to join, meeting the European Parliament's requirements for forming a new group.
With a total of 39 seats, the Patriots for Europe are becoming a significant force in the European Parliament. Speculation about the potential inclusion of Marine Le Pen’s French National Rally and Matteo Salvini’s Italian League could further strengthen their position.
If such a scenario comes to fruition, the new party could indeed become the third political force in the European Parliament.
Today, that position is held by the European Conservatives and Reformists Group (ECR), whose holdings have shrunk from 84 to 78 seats following the departure of VOX.
The Liberals of Renew Europe are in fourth place with 76 MEPs. Following them, Identity and Democracy (ID) initially secured 57 seats but has seen a significant decline in their numbers in recent days. According to the Polish Press Agency (PAP), rumors in Brussels suggest that the entire ID faction might soon be absorbed by Orbán’s new group.
Clarity is expected on Monday, July 8, when a constituent meeting of both the Patriots for Europe and Identity and Democracy factions is scheduled to take place at the EU Parliament in Brussels.
