Anyone observing foreign affairs cannot help but notice the wind of change in the air. In the wake of failed politicians who collectively let down Europe during the latter part of the 20^th century, and early 21^st, the forgotten majority is finally fighting back and saying enough is enough. Despite the efforts of the mainstream media and establishment to indoctrinate the masses to think of any party even slightly to the right of centre as the devil incarnate, Europeans are now rejecting the failed legacy parties in droves. They have collectively decided to try something new. So many Europeans are now voting for change that the parties of the patriotic right are forming governments or polling strongly all over Europe.

Ever since the rise of the UK Independence Party, which led to the UK regaining its sovereignty from the EU, we have seen a steady rise of populist, Eurosceptic governments across Europe. European voters have become increasingly Eurosceptic. Despite blatant attempts by EU commission president Von der Leyen to scare them, the fearless Italians have voted in favour of political change.

This week, Italian voters elected a new parliament. A right-wing coalition achieved about 44% of votes, which put them on course for a majority in both houses of parliament. Giorgia Meloni of Brothers of Italy is now in pole position to become Italy’s first female prime minister and she is now likely to lead Italy’s most truly right-wing government since the 1940s. Meloni has promised to defend and promote Europe’s “Judeo-Christian” roots. She has an anti-immigration stance, rejects progressive values, and embraces identity politics. She is quoted as saying “No to Islamist violence, yes to secure borders, no to mass migration, yes to work for our people”. She defends national borders, national interests, and the traditional family. She questions LGBTQ+ and believes that traditional values and ways of life are under attack because of globalisation. She has called for a naval blockade to prevent migrant boats from leaving North Africa and she has proposed screening would-be asylum-seekers in Africa, not Europe. Like the UK Independence Party, a Meloni-led government would be pro-NATO. Interestingly, Meloni’s success is likely to put the Eurosceptic Brothers of Italy in charge of a founding member of the EU and of its third-largest economy.

The Italian success comes hard on the heels of other right-wing victories across Europe.

On 11 September, Sweden removed the left from government for the first time in modern times giving the populist, patriotic and anti-immigration Sweden Democrats Party the second largest share of seats at a general election on a manifesto of cracking down on crime and strictly limiting immigration. This put them in good stead to play a major role in Sweden’s new government.

In the June French General Election, the populist National Rally saw a meteoric rise, gaining an eleven-fold increase in seats. This gave them record influence in the new National Assembly. With 89 MPs, Le Pen’s growing party will become a parliamentary group for the first time since 1986.

The Alternative for Germany Party (AfD) (currently polling around 14%) made waves throughout Europe in 2017 after securing over 12% of the vote in Germany’s federal elections, making it the third largest party and official opposition.

Millions of Europeans are re-awakening and voting for the parties of common sense. The UK Independence Party welcomes the Italian result and congratulates Giorgia Meloni. The UK Independence Party has no direct affiliation with any European party, but we wish them all well. Like-minded parties need friends who share common values. We will work hard to have the best of relations with all of them.

Steve Grimes

UK Independence Party Spokesman - for Business, Trade and Foreign Affairs