Against Europe and “migrant overwhelm”, for “people” and “identity”: Matteo Salvini, Italian Deputy Prime Minister, and Marine Le Pen, president of the National Rally (RN) group in the National Assembly , formed a united front during a large meeting on Sunday, September 17, in Italy with a view to the 2024 European elections.

“This year commits us to the same fight, our freedoms, our peoples, our homelands,” launched Ms. Le Pen, in Pontida, in northern Italy, site of the traditional celebration of Matteo Salvini’s League.

“We no longer want to have policies imposed on us that we have not chosen,” she continued, citing in particular “the crazy ban on thermal engines”, another of Mr. Salvini’s hobbyhorses.

“We defend our traditions, our gastronomy, our identities, our landscapes (…). We defend our people in the face of migratory overwhelm,” she added, referring to the thousands of migrants who arrived this week on the Italian island of Lampedusa.

Ms. Le Pen also spoke to the thousands of League supporters about her “declaration of the rights of nations and peoples” intended to protect “excesses of power of supranational organizations or commercial structures,” which she presented on Saturday September 16 In France.

The political alliance between Ms. Le Pen and Mr. Salvini has seemed unalterable for around ten years and also testifies to the solidity of their personal relationship. “Triple happiness (…). The pleasure of meeting Matteo again (…). Viva il Capitano! “, she said, calling Mr. Salvini by his nickname.

The latter multiplies the outings against the French president, Emmanuel Macron, perceived as the standard bearer of the “liberals” against the European “sovereignists”. “If we have to choose in Europe between [Emmanuel] Macron and Marine Le Pen, I have no doubt, Marine Le Pen forever,” said the Italian deputy prime minister.

« Alliance durable »

He assured that Italy will do “everything democratically permitted” and use “any means necessary” to “prevent an invasion.”

If at the national political level, Ms. Le Pen is in opposition while Mr. Salvini belongs to the right-wing and far-right government coalition led by Giorgia Meloni, leader of Fratelli d’Italia (FDI), Ms. Le Pen and the RN are leading the opinion polls when the League and Mr. Salvini are at 8-9%, far behind FDI. In other words, one seems to need the other more, especially since the RN achieved very high scores in the last two Europeans.

“He wants to show that the League is not an isolated party in Europe and given the popularity of Marine Le Pen he hopes that this will reflect on him,” analyzes historian Marc Lazar, professor at Sciences Po, interviewed by the ‘France Media Agency.

The alliance between the two parties is “one of the most durable”, notes the philosopher and journalist Anna Bonalume, specialist in Matteo Salvini. “The balances have changed over the years, but their relationship has never changed. »

The objective of Ms. Le Pen and Mr. Salvini is to achieve success in the European elections of June 9, 2024, for which Mr. Salvini attempted to reproduce the national alliance at the European level. An offer sharply rejected by its government allies (FDI and Forza Italia, FI).

Antonio Tajani, head of diplomacy and FI (member party European People’s Party), firmly ruled out a rapprochement with the French far right and Alternative for Germany. “Our values ??are alternative” and Ms. Le Pen “will never be our ally,” he said.

“Ms. Le Pen has the freedom to go where she wants and Matteo Salvini has the freedom to invite whoever he wants” to Pontida, quipped Guido Crosetto, defense minister and close friend of Ms. Meloni with whom he co-founded FDI.