Overview

• Santiago Abascal’s attempt to deliver a French-language address at the ‘Fiesta de la Victoria’ event drew laughter from both attendees and online viewers.
• The gathering marked the first anniversary of the far-right Patriots group’s rise to become the third-largest force in the European Parliament.
• Users on platform X mocked Abascal’s accented delivery, with many comparing the moment to Ana Botella’s infamous language gaffe.
• Observers noted Marine Le Pen’s amused reaction in the audience and drew parallels to past missteps by Isabel Díaz Ayuso.
• The Patriots alliance, which includes Vox, Agrupación Nacional and Fidesz, holds 86 seats representing 19 million Europeans and now faces fresh scrutiny over its cohesion and public image.