In a recent article, the Financial Times (FT) analyzed the similarities and differences between three leading European far-right parties: Germany’s AfD, France’s National Coalition, and Italy’s Fratelli d’Italia. These groups are often referred to as “hard-right” parties due to their strong nationalism, hostility towards immigrants and Islam, and authoritarian views.
One common characteristic among these parties is their female leadership or dominant figures. Alice Weidel leads the AfD, Marine Le Pen heads the National Alliance in France, and Giorgia Meloni is both the prime minister of Italy and the leader of Fratelli d’Italia. While these parties have different views on other issues, they share this trait with one another.
The FT notes that these parties differ from those in other European countries, which are predominantly led by men. For example, Finland’s Basic Finns were not included in the comparison. Additionally, Fratelli d’Italia stands out as it is led by an Italian prime minister and has different positions on Russia compared to other far-right parties in Europe.
Meloni has distanced herself from pro-Russia sentiments and advocates for supporting Ukraine in EU contexts. On the other hand, Le Pen has been known for her pro-Russia stance but has recently softened her views. The AfD in Germany has faced criticism for alleged financial ties to Russia and China, creating a scandal within the party.
When it comes to their positions on the EU, the leaders of these three parties have varying opinions. Weidel hinted at Germany potentially leaving the euro and EU while Meloni criticized the European Central Bank’s monetary policies. Meanwhile, Le Pen softened her criticism of the EU after initially being critical of it due to its perceived economic policies that negatively impacted French citizens.
As Europe approaches its upcoming elections, these three parties will start from different points