Europe's far-right vows hard line on immigration, but cracks emerge elsewhere

24/3/2024 6:19

        European far-right parties met in Italy on Saturday vowing to curb immigration to the continent and to oppose a second five-year term for European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
        
        The parties gathered in Rome, galvanised by polls suggesting nationalist and far right parties are likely to make strong gains in elections to the European Parliament in June.
        
        But beyond agreement on toughening immigration rules, faultlines have become apparent in Europe's far-right camp.
        
        The meeting of the Identity and Democracy (ID) group included delegations from Italy's League, France's Rassemblement National (RN), Austria's Freedom Party (FPO), Portugal's Chega and Belgium's Vlaams Belang.
        
        "A country that does not defend its borders, a European Union .... that does not defend its borders commits murder against its people," said Italy's League leader Matteo Salvini.
        
        Salvini is deputy prime minister in Giorgia Meloni's government but has failed to include her in the ID group.