Prominent far-right leaders from Europe and beyond gathered in Madrid for a ‘great patriotic convention’ organized by Spain’s Vox party. The event served as a platform for criticism of socialism, illegal migration, and EU policies, drawing support from notable figures and attracting protests from left-wing activists.
European Far-Right Leaders Gather in Madrid for ‘Great Patriotic Convention’
Prominent far-right figures from Europe and beyond gathered in Madrid on May 19, 2024, for a “great patriotic convention” organized by Spain’s Vox party. The event was attended by notable leaders such as Marine Le Pen of France’s National Rally, Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and Argentina’s President Javier Milei. Additional attendees included Amichai Chikli, Israel’s Minister for Diaspora Affairs, André Ventura of Portugal’s Chega party, and Chilean far-right leader José Antonio Kast.
The convention, held three weeks before the European parliamentary elections, served as a platform for these leaders to criticize socialism, “massive illegal migration,” and the policies of the European Union. Le Pen expressed confidence in Vox’s support to “reorientate” the EU, while Orbán termed a video message urging patriots to take control in Brussels, condemning what he termed as “massive illegal migration” and “gender propaganda.”
During her video message, Meloni stressed the importance of unity among Europe’s far-right parties, calling for mobilization ahead of the upcoming elections. Santiago Abascal, leader of Vox, emphasized a global alliance against what he described as the socialist threat.
Javier Milei, known for his strong capitalist stance, fiercely criticized socialism during his speech, declaring it an inherent failure. The event saw support for Israel in its ongoing conflict with Hamas, with Israeli Minister Amichai Chikli representing the country.
The meeting drew protests from hundreds of left-wing activists in Madrid’s city center, expressing opposition to fascism. The European parliamentary elections, scheduled for June 6-9, 2024, are anticipated to reflect a potential rise in support for far-right parties across the EU.