Billed as the first congress of the Europe of Nations and Freedom Group
- Europe’s far-right parties meet in Milan
- Geert Wilders also in attendance
- Peaceful demonstrations outside venue
The news
There is tight security in Milan as Europe’s far-right parties meet for a two-day convention
Marine Le Pen va prendre la parole devant 1.300 personnes aux côtés du gratin de l'extrême droite européenne à Milan https://t.co/Gj3wUYmPVG
— Maxime LAURENT (@LAURENTMaxime) January 27, 2016French National Front leader Marine Le Pen has been joined by Matteo Salvani, the leader of Italy’s Northern League.
Opening remarks
It is only a few weeks since Marine Le Pen‘s anti-immigration and Eurosceptic party suffered a resounding defeat in France’s regional elections.
In her opening remarks, Le Pen said the influx of migrants arriving on the continent would “impoverish European nations and kill their civility forever”.
She told the audience that those looking for inconsistency in the party will not be successful. “We are strong because we defend democracy and sovereignty, because we are able to respect each other, to be friends but remain who we are,” Le Pen told the gathering.
So… #Wilders & #LePen to save us from “the monster from Brussels”? Yeah, (extreme) right. #selfie / #ENL / #Italypic.twitter.com/PkDTMlAPAG
— Rodrigo Barbosa (@RodaLarga) January 29, 2016Dutch politician Geert Wilders is also at the meeting, along with Austrian Heinz-Christian Strache, who used his opening speech to attack the EU’s record on immigration.
Heinz-Christian Strache:15th Congress of the National Front in Lyon pic.twitter.com/EGalLC7PsA
— ryszard bilski (@rbilski) December 17, 2015“We all agree that Europe and European culture and freedom are under threat today because of irresponsible mass immigration.”
“The European Union and leaders of national governments have failed in a dramatic fashion and are leading Europe toward the abyss.”
Europe of the Nations and Freedoms Group
Organisers are billing this as the first congress of the Europe of the Nations and Freedom group.
The political alliance was formed in June 2015 in the European Parliament.
Representatives of the Polish New Right, the Greater Romania Party, the British National Party and United Russa are also at the convention.
Demonstrations outside
Italy hosts European nationalists at 2-day convention: MILAN (AP) — French far right leader Marine Le Pen is i… https://t.co/YFlOYZjSiR
— Italy News Links (@dlItaly) January 29, 2016Milan welcomes Marine Le Pen. pic.twitter.com/UvdPbIJfsz
— rabble (@wearerabble) January 29, 2016Protesters staged a peaceful demonstration outside the Fiera di Milano venue.
