Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has announced the formation of a new far-right alliance in the European Parliament, dubbed the “Patriots for Europe”.

The alliance will include Orban’s Fidesz party, Austria’s Freedom Party (FPO), and the populist Czech ANO party led by Andrej Babis. 

Orban stated that the new bloc aims to become the largest right-wing group in the European Parliament, promising “peace, security and development” in contrast to the “war, migration and stagnation” brought by the “Brussels elite”.

The three party leaders signed a “Patriotic Manifesto” outlining their vision.

“A new era begins here, and the first, perhaps decisive moment of this new era is the creation of a new European political faction that will change European politics,” Orban said.

“Starting immediately … all political forces that want to join in our political and positive reform effort are very welcome,” he added. 

The formation of this alliance comes as Hungary assumes the rotating presidency of the European Union, raising concerns that Orban may use the position to further his nationalist agenda.

Orban has previously been accused of undermining democratic institutions in Hungary, and the EU Parliament has called for the presidency to be taken away from Hungary. 

Nationalist parties have made gains in the recent European Parliament elections, capitalising on voter discontent over issues like inflation and the cost of the green transition.

The new “Patriots for Europe” bloc is aiming to translate these seat gains into greater influence over EU policy. 

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While the FPO currently leads in Austrian opinion polls, Orban faces a growing challenge in Hungary from the new opposition party Tisza, which plans to join the mainstream centre-right European People’s Party (EPP).

The three leaders stated that a key priority for their new “Patriots for Europe” alliance would be the fight against illegal immigration, which has long been a major concern for them.

Orban, Kickl, and Babis cited the need to address the ongoing influx of irregular migrants into the EU, which they view as a threat to security and stability.

According to data from the EU’s border agency Frontex, the bloc has recorded 53,270 irregular migrant arrivals in the first five months of 2024. 

(With inputs from agencies)