Overview

• On June 9 in Loiret, Bardella hosted European allies including Viktor Orbán, Matteo Salvini and Santiago Abascal to mark the Patriots for Europe’s first anniversary.
• Giorgia Meloni’s absence underscored growing tension between her Fratelli d’Italia and the Rassemblement National over Ukraine policy and EU alignment.
• Marine Le Pen joined Bardella at the field event to project electoral unity even as ideological divides persist within the far-right coalition.
• Le Pen’s March conviction and pending appeal have fueled speculation that Bardella could become the RN’s presidential candidate if she is ruled ineligible.
• The Patriots for Europe group holds 85 of 720 European Parliament seats but faces competition from two rival far-right blocs led by Meloni’s allies.