In the past, it was standard practice for the European People's Party (EPP) to engage in ideological compromises with the Left and the Greens. Today, however, thanks to the work and contribution of the European Conservatives and Reformists - particularly Giorgia Meloni's party, Fratelli d'Italia - it appears that the EPP is being helped to distance itself from the Socialists, the Greens and the European Left, and to move back towards its original ideological position: Christian-Democratic centre-right politics.
Within conservative European circles, there is hope that the European People's Party may align itself with them in the struggle to defend Christian principles and to revise policies implemented under the Green Deal, which are seen as detrimental to farmers and to nations dependent on them. With the appointment of the Vice-President of the European Commission, Raffaele Fitto - who comes from Meloni's political camp - there was, and still is, hope that both the European Parliament and the European Council may push for more right-leaning decisions than in previous years, which the Socialists and the Greens predominantly dominated.
In the 2024 elections, the Socialists, the Greens, and the Liberals all registered significant losses of seats in the European Parliament, while right-wing parties such as the European Conservatives and Reformists and the Patriots for Europe collectively amassed around 162 seats. Meanwhile, the EPP remained the largest party with 188 seats. Had the European Right not been divided among several parties, it would today be the second-largest group in Parliament. According to opinion polls, if a European election were to be held tomorrow, right-wing groups would once again increase their number of seats, while the EPP and the Socialists - that is, centre parties - would lose ground.
What does all this mean? The political trend in Europe, and in the West more broadly, is moving towards the Right. This trend manifested during a LIBE Committee session in Strasbourg, where amendments removing references to gender ideology were adopted. In contrast, amendments seeking to include abortion as a fundamental right were rejected.
Amendments tabled by MEP Paolo Inselvini and allies from his party, Fratelli d'Italia, were adopted. These amendments, among other things, aimed to eliminate references to "gender ideology" and liberal concepts of the family from the proposed draft. At the same time, the three amendments submitted by Italian MEP Alessandro Zan of the Partito Democratico and the European Socialists were rejected. One of these amendments concerned "gender ideology", while the other two sought to include abortion as a fundamental right. This episode exposed a division within the European People's Party between members with right-leaning tendencies and those more inclined towards the Left.
Sections of the EPP are increasingly open to cooperation with right-wing groups. Although this shift is more pragmatic than ideological, it reflects a broader transformation in the European Parliament, where conservative and patriotic forces are gaining influence. For example, the EPP found support from the Right when it proposed easing bureaucratic requirements for businesses in the EU related to sustainability regulations. Meanwhile, the Socialists and other progressive groups have stated that if the EPP continues to cooperate with the Right, they will no longer support its leadership.
The reasons behind the increased cooperation between the EPP and the Right can be divided into three main factors. First, centre parties such as the Liberals and the Socialists have become weaker in recent elections, creating a pragmatic need for the EPP to work with the Right. Second, with the growing popularity of European right-wing parties such as the Conservatives, the Patriots and Europe of Sovereign Nations, the EPP has more opportunities and incentives to align with these groups when necessary. Finally, on policies related to immigration, economic sovereignty, and deregulation, the EPP at times aligns with the Right.
Although the EPP's shift towards the Right is more pragmatic than ideological, it nonetheless reflects what may be an epochal change within the European Parliament, where patriotic and conservative right-wing forces are steadily increasing their support and influence over the continent's future. In fact, it would not be an exaggeration to state that the reason the EPP has retained its parliamentary majority is precisely that it cooperates with the Right.
The Nationalist Party, in my view - as a member of the European People's Party - should not be afraid to embrace a more right-leaning and patriotic political approach to advance both politically and ideologically. In doing so, the PN would be able to win more undecided voters who are still waiting for a more assertive political leadership that knows what it believes in and is capable of saying "NO" to that which is detrimental to our society.