Hungary, Italy leaders seek to rally Europe's anti-immigrant forces
Milan: Hungary's Viktor Orban and Italy's Matteo Salvini, two of Europe's most prominent populist leaders, discussed creating a united front of Europe's anti-immigrant political forces ahead of European Union elections in May.
The two nationalist, anti-immigrant leaders met on Tuesday in Milan and talked about a political alliance at EU level which would "join different energies with a common goal," and would "exclude the left-wing parties and bring to the fore the identities that our governments represent," Italian Deputy Premier Salvini said.
Hungarian Prime Minister Orban said he wants to spread his anti-immigrant views within the European People's Party and is looking ahead to the EU legislative vote. "We want to change a lot of things. We need a new commission and a new parliament that take a definite stance in favour of defending frontiers and stopping migration."
The two criticized Europe's traditional parties and Orban lashed out at French President Emmanuel Macron, accusing him of leading pro-migration forces and trying to tear the EPP apart.
This is not the first time Orban and Salvini have called for more unity among like-minded parties. Orban, who has governed Hungary for the past eight years and was reelected in April, sees his party as opposed to multiculturalism and liberal values. He said in July that nationalist forces needed to unite to fight immigration. Salvini, who is leader of the anti-immigrant League party, called for a "League of Leagues that will put together all the free, sovereign movements" in various countries.
Orban has often attacked the European Union on issues varying from sanctions on Russia to immigration policies. In June, the Hungarian parliament passed a law that imposes jail terms of up to a year for anyone helping immigrants enter the country.
Salvini has also been clashing with the EU over migration. Tensions came to a head last week when he prevented 177 migrants rescued by an Italian coast guard ship from disembarking until other EU member states agreed to take some. He and other members of Italy's governing coalition have threatened to suspend EU budget contributions if the burden of migrants isn't shared.
Salvini's call for other EU countries to help with migrants makes him an unlikely friend of Orban, who has refused EU requests to relocate migrants to his country and reiterated his stance on Tuesday. Still, Salvini praised Orban for defending Europe's borders. Before the Milan meeting, Orban told a group of journalists that Salvini is his "hero" for his hardline views.
The two leaders had to wade through police and onlookers to reach the government offices where their meeting was held. A large group of demonstrators stood outside blocking nearby streets, dancing, chanting and waving rainbow coloured flags with the word "peace" and posters saying "let's stay united."
"We need to resist against an idea of Europe of hate and barbed wire, which is what Salvini and Orban propose," Emanuele Fiano, a prominent member of the opposition Democratic Party said on television from the demonstration in Milan. Orban and Salvini are "the maximum possible contradiction" whose friendship is based on their "not helping each other" on migrants.
Salvini was placed under investigation by Italian prosecutors last week for potential abuse of office, kidnapping, and illegal detention relating to his refusal to let the migrants on the coast guard ship ashore.
The Italian minister's activism has strained relations with parts of his governing coalition. Deputy Premier Luigi Di Maio, leader of the Five Star Movement, criticised Orban on Tuesday in an interview in La Stampa for refusing to share the burden of migrants.
Washington Post