Friday, 29 Mar 2024

European elections 2019: Can Nigel Farage’s Brexit Party form ALLIANCE with Marine Le Pen?

European politicians have less than 48 hours of campaigning left to win crucial support ahead of the start of the European Elections 2019. EU member states will be electing who they want as their next MEPs in the European Parliament from May 23 to 26. The Brexit Party is expected to win by a landslide over its UK rivals, according to the latest polls conducted for the European Parliament. Both the Conservatives and Labour are poised for damaging losses amid a predicted backlash against traditional parties.

Populist right-wing parties are surging across Europe right now, with eurosceptic groups making inroads with voters fed up with EU bureaucracy.

Marine Le Pen is hoping to drive her far-right National Rally into the mainstream and make a dent in support for France’s President Emmanuel Macron.

She has teamed up with Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, leader of Lega, to plan a cross-national alliance sitting on the European Parliament’s far-right.

They hope to create the largest conservative faction to reshape the European Parliament, which is segmented into parties based on political stance.

READ MORE: BREXIT LIVE: GOODBYE BREXIT! MAY TO HOLD CRUNCH CABINET MEETING – CUSTOMS UNION EXPECTED

Other parties recruited include Alternative for Germany, the Finns Party, the Danish People’s Party and Austria’s Freedom Party.

New groups within the European Parliament require the support of at least 25 MEPs representing seven different member states.

Mr Salvini extended his invitation to Mr Farage’s Brexit Party to join them at a rally in Milan on Saturday alongside Ms Le Pen.

After being asked about the rally, he told BBC News host Ros Atkins: “Wonderful, exceptional, a wonderful crowd.

READ MORE: BREXIT PARTY TAKING WALES BY STORM AS LABOUR SUPPORT HALVES – POLL

“It’s a beautiful Europe and I’m waiting for Nigel Farage to join in.”

Mr Farage, who had a milkshake thrown at him during a European Election campaign walkabout in Newcastle yesterday, has yet to comment publicly about such an alliance.

But Express.co.uk revealed on Monday how the Brexit Party leader is secretly planning to reject the leaders’ advances for a eurosceptic alliance.

An EU insider said: “It doesn’t make sense politically for Nigel Farage to share the spotlight with the likes of Salvini.

READ MORE: BORIS JOHNSON ‘RULES OUT’ ALLIANCE WITH NIGEL FARAGE DESPITE BREXIT PARTY SURGE IN POLLS

“He’s ditched his anti-immigration rhetoric for a more positive message about reforming British politics.

“But those on the left of the Brexit Party would have a hard time sitting alongside a bunch of far-right headbangers.

“Topping the European election will be easy part for Farage; forming a like-minded coalition in the European Parliament will be far trickier.

“Farage will be after a senior role, as either chairman or co-chair, to guarantee him speaking time in the big debates.”

At present, Mr Farage is the chairman of the Europe of Freedom and Direct Democracy and may look to make reforms to this.

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