Reports emerging on Thursday morning are suggesting that the Brexit party has been engaging in talks to ally itself with the Italian league, a group in the European parliament. The group lead by Matteo Salvini topped the Italian poll in the recent European elections. News about these talks were leaked by Marco Zanni, a League MEP. Mr Zanni suggested that these talks could see results as early as the end of next week.
It should be stated that the Brexit party played down Zanni’s remarks, although confirming the meeting had taken place. A source close to Mr Farage stated that “Nigel met former EFDD group member Marco Zanni MEP yesterday” Although the source did go on to say. “He has lots of meetings today and next week.” The source stopped short of ruling out an alliance.
It should also be stated that the Brexit party’s current ally in the European parliament is Italy’s Five Star Movement, whom the top brass within the Brexit party are also holding talks with. The picture across the continent saw victories for parties on the right wing of the political spectrum. These included Poland’s law and justice party, as well as Marine Le Pen squeezing out French president Emmanuel Macron’s party.
Salvini, who is Italy’s deputy prime minister, hopes to bring Farage and his Brexit party MEPs into a grouping that already includes Le Pen’s National Rally and Austria’s Freedom party with more expected to join. The group is highly Eurosceptic and is pro the capping of immigration.
The Brexit party is the largest party in the European parliament so would without doubt be a real coup for the group. The Brexit party’s influence in the European parliament would be greatly increased, should they become part of a wider Eurosceptic group. Leadership, of such a group brings about opportunity for prime speaking spots in debate. Although, becoming leader would be far from certain.
Speaking in Brussels on Tuesday, the newly re-elected Brexit party MEP Jonathan Bullock said his preference was to keep the EFDD going. It is unclear whether Brexit party MEPs would back a move to join Salvini and Le Pen. Of the 29 Brexit party MEPs, 26 will be new to the European parliament.
Le Pen, who has tried and failed to work with Farage, said before last weekend’s elections she did not know whether the Brexit party leader would join her group.
Speaking at a mass rally in Milan earlier this month, Le Pen said: “Nigel Farage leads the EFDD group, we don’t know if this group will be able to maintain itself as all the cards will be reshuffled after the elections.”
Zanni was elected to the European parliament in 2014 for M5S and became part of Farage’s group. But he later defected to join the League, making the switch to the more right-wing group in the European parliament.
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Current Affairs Correspondent | My name is Oliver Down I am 22, and a staunch brexiteer. I am a Bristolian lad who studied politics in Leicester. I believe in free speech and accurate journalism and I won’t be afraid to give you “the other side” of the story!
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