Madrid (Brussels Morning) – International far-right leaders gathered in Madrid, organized by Spain’s Vox party, to oppose socialism and illegal migration, promoting nationalism and unity against perceived threats from globalism and Brussels.
Madrid has witnessed a rail against socialism and massive illegal migration. International far-right leaders, including France’s Marine Le Pen, Hungary’s Viktor Orbán, Italy’s Giorgia Meloni and Argentina’s Javier Milei came together to speak at the event.
What Is the “Great Patriotic Convention” in Madrid About?
The event anointed a “great patriotic convention”, was organised by Spain’s far-right Vox party, and offered conservatives and far-right populists a chance to gather and take aim at a variety of familiar targets, from the welfare state to “wokeness” and the plans of Brussels-based bureaucrats.
The event was also followed by Amichai Chikli, Israel’s minister for diaspora affairs and combating antisemitism, André Ventura, the leader of Portugal’s far-right Chega party, and the Chilean far-right leader José Antonio Kast.
The US hard right was expressed by Matt Schlapp, the Donald Trump ally who heads the American Conservative Union, and Roger Severino, vice-president of the conservative Heritage Foundation think tank.
What Did Orbán and Meloni Advocate in Their Messages?
Orbán, through a video message, said it was time “for patriots to populate Brussels”, adding that those in the Belgian capital were “unleashing massive illegal migration” and “poisoning our children with gender propaganda”.
Meloni, who also occurred via video, advised Europe’s far-right parties to work together as EU citizens ready to head to the polls. “We’re at the eve of decisive elections,” said the Italian prime minister. “It’s time to mobilise, to get out onto the streets. It’s time to raise the stakes; it is our duty to fight to the last day.”
How Did Vox’s Santiago Abascal Address Globalism Threats?
Vox’s leader, Santiago Abascal called like-minded groups around the world to defeat the threat posed by the left. “While all defend our national sovereignty, we also know that we can’t do it alone,” he briefed the 10,000-strong crowd at the Vistalegre arena in the Spanish capital. “Faced with globalism and its socialist soul, we must respond with a global alliance that will defend common sense, because this is a shared threat.”
Le Pen, from the National Rally party, said she knew she could count on Vox’s backing in the European Parliament to “begin to reorientate” the EU.
What Stance Did Javier Milei Take on Socialism?
Argentinian president Javier Milei started his speech with a song and said “Despite all the left’s whingeing, the free market brings prosperity to everyone.” “Socialism has always been a financial and social failure. Opening the door to socialism means inviting death. It’s more important than ever to point that out.”
“Socialism is the cancer of humanity,” he said. “Socialism is the enemy. Instead of being so worried about the differences we may have on this side in life, let’s not let the dark, black, satanic, disgusting, atrocious, carcinogenic side – which is socialism – defeat us.”
