The AfD and other right-wing populist parties want to forge in the new EU Parliament with a United front. Their young squad were in Rome the kick-off. They offered a taste of new times.
While in Northern Europe the Brexit-Drama makes for a bad mood, high in the South in Rome emotions. A prelude to an Event next Monday (8. April) to take place – but after the series. 500 young right-wing populists from six Western European countries came to Italy. In the country, which is experiencing one of the biggest populist upsurges in Europe. To Make a new “Patriotic” invited the “Lega Giovani”, the youth organization of the Italian party “Lega”.
“Lega”-chief Matteo Salvini occurs currently, as an informal Leader of the right-wing populists in Europe
The 30-year-old party will win the European elections. The chances are good. According to opinion polls, the party of Matteo Salvini as the strongest power in Italy.
However, the Minister of the interior Salvini wants more. He organized for months, a shoulder-to-shoulder of the right-wing populists in Europe. The party-youth practiced.
“Icon of the mother of parties”
Who does not know that in the small Four-star Hotel, located in Via Palermo, in the midst of the historic centre of Rome, hundreds of right-minded from all over Europe days, and remembers nothing of the spirit of power there wide. Outside, there are no protests, no citizen initiative, not a road block – all three of the guards guarding the “summit” in front of the door.
Indoors, in a conference room a uniform image: young Italians in dark blue suits or sports jackets with a white shirt. Women are counted on the fingers of two hands. It’s loud, the space, the mood lively.
In the middle of the heads of five other right-wing populist youth organizations from Belgium, France, the UK, Germany and Austria. The official guest from Germany is based. He’ll be up front on the Podium? – Damian Lohr, 25 years old, is a head of the “young Alternative” – the AfD-young organization.
While he tries to clarify the in the bustle, he is asked by a TV crew for an Interview. A German public broadcaster prepares a portrait of the young right-wing populists. The Meeting in Rome aims to be an “icon of the mother parties: We belong together,” explains Lohr. Soon the first group of photos.
Group photos of young right-wing populists from Italy, Belgium, France, Austria, Großbirtannien and – right – from Germany: Damian Lohr, head of the “young Alternative”
Three-in-one?
So far, Europe’s right-wing populists in the European Parliament, are divided into three groups (ECR, ENF and EFDD). In the past, a collaboration in content-related contradictions, failed, or because you could not personally with each other. Now there should be a new, large, common group. The invitations to a press conference after Milan were now sent on Friday by the AfD. As the organizer of the “Lega”, and Salvini are specified – so again the venue for Italy. From Germany party leader, Jörg Meuthen to participate.
The invitation came a day later than expected – and with no indication of whether, and to what representatives of parties of other countries participate. This suggests that cooperation may not be so easy.
Up to 20 parties and groups to go, according to media reports, in an “Alliance of the European peoples and Nations”. Salvini is planning a campaign tour to Germany. In Eastern Europe, he was already a few weeks ago. However, if the right-wing populist PiS from Poland participates in the Salvini mobilized group that wants to deny in Warsaw yet, nor confirm. The press invitation had now no conclusions.
The aim is, third – or even second-strongest group. Forecasts are difficult. Also because it is still uncertain whether the British because of the Brexit-not turmoil, to join the election. Would affect the complex fraction arithmetic. However, A quarter of the seats could occupy the Right well; much more than in the past.
New Alliance of the “patriots”
The “youth meeting” in Rome, sounds like an Overture, the media and the participants to prepare more. From the speakers Thunderstorm” by AC/DC blaring “, two-Meter-long flags of the Lega Nord party are pivoted and on a huge screen a Video that shows monuments of European capitals to be running.
Combative mood in the room: The “Lega”, Matteo Salvini and the party youth are on a line
“Make Europe great again – this is the Central demand of the ‘Lega Giovani’,” says the “international coordinator” Davide Quadri welcome. The speakers from Belgium, France, Italy, Germany, Belgium and the UK, to summon a common enemy: Brussels, Multiculturalism, and migrants. You use terms like “Pride” and “Patriotism” for political Marketing. Your goal: Governance and the EU to revolutionize. After an hour, the young right-wing populist from Germany is talking about. Lohr verbally notify vigorously – called Juncker a “political Clown”, and Merkel is a “witch”. Here, he can talk in the open.
However, this is almost tame against Bart Claes from the Belgian “Vlaams Belang Jongeren”. You should never have to apologize for the history of their own people. “Are not identity-based!” Lohr is no response to say. In Germany itself, the AfD would not trust hard-line to say such a thing publicly. Now, since the constitutional protection has you in his sights.
Discussion or questions are not provided. After three hours of collective Aufputschens. A lot of pushing on the stage, want to take Selfies with their leaders. Also Lohr, smiles, dozens of times in high-held Smartphones.
Motivation for the youth
So much unbridled enthusiasm, it was right for him unusual, says Damian Lohr am the next day for a city walk with the new Italian partners. He seems intoxicated by the mood. “So many emotions!”
Damian Lohr in front of the Trevi fountain, the chief enjoys YES-his visit to Rome,
But could not grow out of too much Pride and Patriotism and a new nationalism, as is often the case in history, the spill over then to Germany? Lohr is considering before he answers. Then he speaks of mutual respect and personal responsibility. The danger to the Nationalist, could so contain, he said. A little later the young politician looks at the Piazza Venezia to the oversized national monument to Vittorio Emanuel II: “My goodness, the Brandenburg gate would fit several times,” he says admiringly.
Two to three Meetings in the year and a private organization, which is closely connected to the parent parties, should there be in the future. The Plan is to meet after the kick-off.
Brussels and Rome – the contrast could hardly be greater. The capital of the EU, the EU technocracy is sitting with their cool modern buildings of glass and steel in the. The millennia-old city, full of monuments of an Empire that has shaped its culture of half of Europe. Now Italy want to characterize right-wing populists of Rome, from Europe, only different.