Far-Right Rift: Le Pen and Meloni's Fractured Alliance

Marine Le Pen's Shifting Allegiances

In a recent interview, Marine Le Pen, the leader of France's far-right National Rally (RN), has signaled a shift in her political alliances. She has expressed openness to potential cooperation with Giorgia Meloni, the leader of Italy's far-right Brothers of Italy (Fratelli d'Italia), in preparation for the upcoming European Parliament elections.

This move represents a departure from Le Pen's previous close ties to the German far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). Le Pen has recently taken steps to distance herself from the AfD due to its controversial positions on immigration and EU integration.

Meloni's European Ambitions

Giorgia Meloni, for her part, has welcomed Le Pen's overtures. Meloni has long sought to forge a united front among European far-right parties, seeing it as a way to strengthen their influence on the continent.

However, Meloni's pro-Russian stance has been a sticking point for Le Pen, who has taken a more critical approach to Russia's actions in Ukraine.

Conclusion

The rift between Le Pen and Meloni over the AfD and other issues highlights the complexities of the European far-right landscape. While there are common ideological threads that unite these parties, they also face divisions and competing ambitions. It remains to be seen whether Le Pen and Meloni can overcome their differences and forge a lasting alliance, or if the European far-right will continue to be fragmented and divided.