Identity and Democracy
{{Short description|Political group of the European Parliament}}
{{about|the European Parliament group|the political party of the same name|Identity and Democracy Party}}
{{EngvarB|date=January 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Infobox European Parliament group
| image = ID Group Logo EN.svg
| imagesize = 275
| from = 13 June 2019
| to = 8 July 2024
| precededby = Europe of Nations and Freedom
| succeededby = Patriots for Europe (majority)
Europe of Sovereign Nations (minority)
| englishabbr = ID
| frenchabbr =
| europarties = {{nowrap|Identity and Democracy Party}}
| formalname = Identity and Democracy Group
| ideology = {{ubl|class = nowrap
| Nationalism{{cite news |url=https://www.euronews.com/2019/06/13/nationalism-in-the-eu-has-a-new-name-identity-and-democracy |title=Nationalism in the EU has a new name: 'Identity and Democracy' |date=13 June 2019 |work=Euronews}}
| Right-wing populism{{cite web |url=https://www.eu-logos.org/2019/06/28/identity-and-democracy-group-united-on-the-outside-divided-on-the-inside/ |title=Identity and Democracy Group: United on the Outside, Divided on the Inside? – Le portail de référence pour l'espace de liberté, sécurité et justice |date=28 June 2019}}
Euroscepticism
| Faction:
| Identitarianism{{cite news |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/08/generation-identity-leaders-jailed-alpine-stunt-190829165124671.html |title=Far-right Generation Identity leaders jailed for Alpine stunt |quote=The far-right grouping in the newly elected European Parliament has taken the name Identity and Democracy, in a sign of the growing influence of "identitarian" supremacist politics. |publisher=Al Jazeera |date=30 August 2019}}
}}
| position = {{nowrap|Far-right{{refn|{{bulleted list|
{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/13/meps-create-biggest-far-right-group-in-european-parliament |title=MEPs create biggest far-right group in European parliament |first=Jennifer |last=Rankin |date=13 June 2019 |work=The Guardian}}
|{{cite news |url=https://www.dw.com/en/far-right-parties-form-new-group-in-european-parliament/a-49189262 |title=Far-right parties form new group in European Parliament |date=14 June 2019 |work=Deutsche Welle}}
|{{cite news |url=https://www.euronews.com/2019/06/13/new-far-right-alliance-in-european-parliament |title=New European far-right coalition named Identity and Democracy |date=13 June 2019 |work=Euronews}}
|{{cite news |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-06-13/far-right-faction-in-eu-parliament-is-recreated-as-bigger-force |last=Stearns |first=Jonathan|title=Far-Right Faction in EU Parliament Is Recreated as Bigger Force |date=13 June 2019 |work=Bloomberg}}
|{{cite news |url=https://www.france24.com/en/20190613-far-right-group-eu-parliament-doubles-strength |title=Far-right group in EU parliament doubles in strength |date=13 June 2019 |work=France 24}}
|{{cite news |title=Parliament groups vow to stop far-right MEPs chairing committees |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/parliament-groups-vow-to-stop-far-right-meps-chairing-committees/ |access-date=12 August 2019 |work=Politico |date=2 July 2019}}}}{{cite news |url=https://www.apnews.com/7539eb11551844cbacb89e8a03c94f69 |last=Cook |first=Lorne |title=Europe's populists rebrand but policies remain the same |date=13 June 2019 |work=Associated Press}}{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-eu-jobs-lepen/frances-le-pen-unveils-new-far-right-european-parliament-group-idUSKCN1TE1IG |title=France's Le Pen unveils new far-right European Parliament group |date=13 June 2019 |work=Reuters}}{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/may/23/eus-far-right-parties-expel-germanys-afd-from-their-group |title=EU's far-right parties expel Germany's AfD from their group |date=23 May 2024 |work=The Guardian}}{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/far-right-european-parliament-group-expels-germanys-afd-after-ss-remark-2024-05-23/ |title=European Parliament's far-right group expels Germany's AfD after SS remark |date=23 May 2024 |work=Reuters}}{{cite news |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/european-election-right-wing-parliament-would-mean-for-eu-policy/ |title=What to expect from a more right-wing European Parliament |date=23 May 2024 |work=Politico|quote=Members of the far-right Identity and Democracy Group have said no to more defense integration}}}}}}
| chairs = Marco Zanni
| website = [https://web.archive.org/web/20240826130909/https://www.idgroup.eu/ www.idgroup.eu] (archive)
}}
Identity and Democracy (ID; {{langx|fr|link=no|Identité et démocratie}}) was a political group of the European Parliament during the Ninth European Parliament term, launched on 13 June 2019. It comprised far-right,{{refn|}} right-wing populist, Eurosceptic and nationalist national parties from six European states. It was the successor to the Europe of Nations and Freedom group formed during the eighth term and almost all of its members merged into the Patriots for Europe group formed during the tenth term.
History
= 2019 European Parliament elections =
In April 2019, the Danish People's Party and the Finns Party (at the time members of the European Conservatives and Reformists) announced their intention to form a new grouping with Alternative for Germany, formerly of the ECR, ENF and EFDD groups, and Italy's League following the 2019 elections.{{cite news|work=Saudi Gazette|title=EU's nationalist parties announce plans to join forces after May vote|date=8 April 2019|url=http://saudigazette.com.sa/article/562988/World/Europe/EUs-nationalist-parties-announce-plans-to-join-forces-after-May-vote}} AfD spokesman Jörg Meuthen appeared alongside Northern League leader Matteo Salvini to formally announce the formation of the new European political alliance with the Finns Party and Danish People's Party which was provisionally named European Alliance for People and Nations.{{cite news|work=Deutsche Welle|date=8 April 2019|url=https://www.dw.com/en/germanys-afd-joins-italys-league-in-new-populist-coalition/a-48249992|title=Germany's AfD joins Italy's League in new populist coalition}}
On 12 June 2019, it was announced that the group would be named "Identity and Democracy" (ID), include Italy's League (LSP), the French National Rally (RN) and Alternative for Germany as member parties, and be a successor to the Europe of Nations and Freedom (ENF).{{cite news |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/matteo-salvini-european-parliament-alliance-to-be-named-identity-and-democracy/ |title=Salvini alliance to be named Identity and Democracy |first=Zia |last=Weise |date=12 June 2019 |work=Politico}} The Finns Party also joined the group.{{cite web |url=https://euobserver.com/institutional/145151 |title=New 'ID' far-right EU parliament group falls short |website=EUobserver |author=Nikolaj Nielsen |date=13 June 2019 |access-date=13 June 2019}} Lega MEP Marco Zanni was announced as the new group's chairman.{{cite news |url=https://www.euronews.com/2019/06/13/marine-le-pen-to-unveil-new-far-right-alliance-in-european-parliament |title=Marine Le Pen to unveil new far-right alliance in European Parliament |author=Alfie Tobutt |work=Euronews |date=13 June 2019 |access-date=13 June 2019}} The group, composed at that time of 73 MEPs, was launched in Brussels by RN leader Marine Le Pen on 13 June 2019. It was expanded to include former ENF members Vlaams Belang and the Freedom Party of Austria, as well the new Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) party from the Czech Republic and the Conservative People's Party of Estonia (EKRE). Ahead of the 2019 European Parliament elections, the group held joint rallies in different European cities and developed coordinated campaign materials, including joint election videos and shared social media platforms.{{Cite journal |last=Wojczewski |first=Thorsten |title=The international cooperation of the populist radical right: building counter-hegemony in international relations |date=2024 |url=https://doi.org/10.1177/00471178231222888 |journal=International Relations |page=16 |DOI=10.1177/00471178231222888|doi-access=free }}
The Dutch Party for Freedom (PVV) failed to secure any seats at the election; however, it gained one in the post-Brexit apportionment of seats. Before Brexit occurred, Party leader Geert Wilders stated his intention to align the PVV with ID, provided that the post-Brexit apportionment was confirmed by the European Council.{{cite news |url=https://www.euractiv.com/section/eu-elections-2019/news/post-brexit-parliament-winners-and-losers/ |title=Post-Brexit Parliament: Winners and losers |first=Sam |last=Morgan |date=31 May 2019 |work=Euractiv}}{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/european-elections-far-right-salvini-le-pen-wilders-italy-a8920326.html |title=Europe's far-right politicians join forces to fight for more power |date=18 May 2019 |work=The Independent}} PVV MEP Marcel de Graaff subsequently took the seat, but in 2022 defected to the Forum for Democracy, citing his support for the FvD's policies against the COVID-19 vaccine. The FvD accordingly changed its affiliation from the ECR group to Identity and Democracy.
In 2023, the FvD was suspended from the group after de Graaf shared messages on Twitter supportive of Putin following the Russian invasion of Ukraine and later quit the group citing difference in views on the matter.{{cite web|title=Dutch MEP quits far-right group after suspension over 'Go, Putin!' stance|url=https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2022/10/24/dutch-mep-quits-far-right-group-after-suspension-over-go-putin-stance|website=Euronews|date=8 April 2023 |language=}}{{cite web|title=Baudet banned from speaking in parliament, again states support for Putin|url=https://www.dutchnews.nl/news/2022/10/baudet-banned-from-speaking-in-parliament-again-states-support-for-putin/|website=DutchNews|date=8 April 2023 |language=}}
The group's political platform is defined by Euroscepticism, nativism, and opposition to globalization. Its primary objective is to resist uncontrolled migration to the European Union and to dismantle the EU’s supranational framework, advocating instead for its transformation into an intergovernmental organization composed of sovereign nation-states.
Although political commentators have noted the group contains members who have called for Europe to open up relations with Putin's government, the group has taken a pro-Ukraine stance and voted in support of a motion in the European Parliament to condemn "Russian aggression against Ukraine" following the Russian invasion of the country.{{cite web|title=ID Group Press Release- Ukraine|url=https://www.idgroup.eu/press_release_ukraine|website=Euronews|date=8 April 2023 |language=}}
In April 2023, the Finns Party changed membership to the European Conservatives and Reformists group citing their change in policy to support NATO membership as the reason for the move.{{cite web|title=Far-right Finns Party moves to ECR group in EU Parliament|url=https://www.politico.eu/article/far-right-finns-party-ecr-european-conservatives-and-reformists-group-parliament/|website=Politico|date=8 April 2023 |language=}}
= 2024 European Parliament elections =
Ahead of the 2024 European Parliament election, AfD lead candidate Maximilian Krah made controversial statements on the Waffen-SS in an interview which was met with anger within the group.{{Cite news |last=Schuetze |first=Christopher F. |date=2024-05-23 |title=Far-Right E.U. Lawmakers Remove Germany's AfD Party Before Elections |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/23/world/europe/afd-germany-eu-parliament.html |access-date=2024-05-25 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}} In response, National Rally spokespeople Jordan Bardella and Caroline Parmentier announced they would part ways with Alternative for Germany after the election and not include the AfD in the group due to Krah's remarks and allegations of Chinese espionage influence on the party.{{cite web|title=France's National Rally won't sit with Alternative for Germany in EU Parliament|url=https://www.politico.eu/article/far-right-national-rally-marine-le-pen-says-it-will-cut-ties-with-german-afd-after-recent-statements/|website=Politico|date=21 May 2024 |language=English}}{{cite web|title=French Far Right Splits With Germany's AfD In EU Parliament|url=https://www.barrons.com/news/french-far-right-splits-with-germany-s-afd-in-eu-parliament-8d8d3703|website=Politico|date=21 May 2024 |language=English}} The League's leader Matteo Salvini and the Czech Freedom and Direct Democracy subsequently backed the position taken by the National Rally, with both parties saying they would terminate collaboration with the AfD after the election.{{Cite web |date=2024-05-21 |title="Mai più con Afd non condanna le SS". Salvini e Le Pen spaccano i sovranisti |url=https://www.repubblica.it/politica/2024/05/22/news/afd_ss_salvini_le_pen_sovranisti-423061840/ |access-date=2024-05-24 |website=la Repubblica |language=it}}{{cite web | url=https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/czech-far-right-splits-with-afd-follows-le-pen/ | title=Czech far-right splits with AfD, follows le Pen | date=22 May 2024 }} Vlaams Belang criticized Krah's statements with VB MEP Gerolf Annemans calling Krah "increasingly problematic" but declined to immediately expel and cut cooperation with AfD, instead arguing that they would wait until after the election before making a decision.{{Cite web |date=2024-05-22 |title=Vlaams Belang wil AfD niet direct uit Europese fractie zetten na SS-uitspraken |url=https://businessam.be/vlaams-belang-afd-wacht-af/ |access-date=2024-05-24 |website=Business AM |language=nl-BE}} The Danish People's Party issued an ultimatum that the AfD could only remain in the ID group on the condition of Krah's expulsion with MEP Anders Vistisen stating that the AfD should purge extremist elements if the two parties were to keep working together.{{Cite web |last= |title=Vistisen med ultimatum til AfD: Smid spidskandidat ud eller forlad gruppen |url=https://www.kristeligt-dagblad.dk/danmark/vistisen-stiller-ultimatum-til-afd-og-vil-have-medlem-smidt-ud |access-date=2024-05-24 |website=Kristeligt Dagblad |language=da}} The Portuguese Chega, a member of the ID Party, described the RN’s decision as a “game changer” and suggested it would now consider joining the European Conservatives and Reformists group or a new merged European Parliament group. {{Cite web |date=2024-05-22 |title=Pode um SS não ser criminoso? Tânger admite saída do Chega de grupo europeu, depois de Le Pen cortar com alemães da AfD |url=https://expresso.pt/politica/eleicoes/europeias-2024/2024-05-22-pode-um-ss-nao-ser-criminoso--tanger-admite-saida-do-chega-de-grupo-europeu-depois-de-le-pen-cortar-com-alemaes-da-afd-af822073 |access-date=2024-05-24 |website=Expresso |language=pt}} The Estonian EKRE and the Austrian FPÖ supported removing Krah but opposed the expulsion of the entire AfD faction. After an internal meeting and vote, the Identity and Democracy board subsequently voted in favour of ejecting the AfD, with group leader Marco Zanni citing Krah's interview, as well as reports of Chinese and Russian influence on the AfD. The AfD consequently moved to non-inscrits.{{Cite web |date=2024-05-23 |title=Far-right ID group expels Alternative for Germany |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/far-right-identity-and-democracy-group-expels-alternative-for-germany/ |access-date=2024-05-23 |website=POLITICO |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |last=krone.at |date=2024-05-23 |title=Riesen-Eklat in Brüssel: AfD fliegt aus Fraktion |url=https://www.krone.at/3387968 |access-date=2024-05-23 |website=Kronen Zeitung |language=de}} Following the decision, the AfD said that Krah would not be permitted to sit with the AfD faction in the European Parliament after the election and that they would negotiate to rejoin Identity and Democracy.{{Cite web |date=2024-06-10 |title=AfD's EU delegation shaken up following election results |url=https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2024/06/10/germanys-far-right-afd-appoints-new-european-parliament-delegation-leader |access-date=2024-06-11 |website=euronews |language=en}} However, AfD failed in a bid to rejoin, with ID leaders making the decision not to re-admit the party.https://www.malaymail.com/news/world/2024/06/13/germanys-afd-confident-about-finding-new-eu-partners/139661 {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2024}}
On 28 June, Freedom and Direct Democracy announced it would leave the group to form a new group called "Europe of Sovereign Nations", citing disagreements with other ID members on the European Green Deal, immigration, censorship and Ukraine.{{cite news|work=Aktualne.cz|title=Hnutí SPD bude v EP součástí nové frakce Evropa suverénních národů|url=https://zpravy.aktualne.cz/domaci/hnuti-spd-bude-v-ep-soucasti-nove-frakce-evropa-suverennich/r~ca050188354411efb689ac1f6b220ee8/|date=28 June 2024}} This new group is described as being led by the AfD.{{Cite news|work=Hospodárske noviny|title="Že jsou označováni za nácky? Mně jsou blízcí." SPD v europarlamentu míří do frakce vedené AfD|date=28 June 2024|url=https://zahranicni.hn.cz/c1-67338770-bdquo-ze-jsou-oznacovani-za-nacky-mne-jsou-blizci-ldquo-spd-v-europarlamentu-miri-do-frakce-vedene-afd}}
On 30 June, the Freedom Party of Austria also announced it would leave ID to form a new group called "Patriots for Europe", alongside Fidesz and ANO 2011.{{cite news|date=30 June 2024|work=Freilich|title="Patriots for Europe": FPÖ, Fidesz und ANO bilden neue Fraktion im Europaparlament|url=https://www.freilich-magazin.com/politik/patriots-for-europe-fpoe-fidesz-und-ano-bilden-neue-fraktion-im-europaparlament}} Shortly after, Chega, a member of the ID Party, also announced it would join "Patriots for Europe" instead of the ID group.{{Citation needed|date=January 2025}} The Dutch Party for Freedom's leader, Geert Wilders, also announced his party would join the new group,{{Citation needed|date=January 2025}} followed by the Danish People's Party and Vlaams Belang, which both said they would also join.{{Cite web|url=https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/udland/eu/dansk-folkeparti-slutter-sig-til-orban-og-hans-nye-allierede-i-europa-parlamentet|title=Dansk Folkeparti slutter sig til Orbán og hans nye allierede i Europa-Parlamentet|date=6 July 2024|website=DR|accessdate=10 July 2024}} The League stated that it was strongly considering joining,{{cite web | url=https://www.ansa.it/english/news/politics/2024/07/01/orbans-alliance-of-patriots-seems-way-to-go-salvini_edc0715a-a86e-4bc7-82a5-b9db8f0a2b8a.html#:~:text=Deputy%20Premier%20and%20Transport%20Minister,of%20%27Patriots%20for%20Europe%27 | title=Orban's alliance of 'patriots' seems way to go - Salvini - Politics - Ansa.it | date=July 2024 }} while the National Rally entered "advanced talks" to discuss joining.{{cite news|work=Bloomberg|date=2 July 2024|quote=Officials from Marine Le Pen’s movement are in advanced talks with other far-right groups in the European Parliament that could see her party abandon its current political family to join forces with Hungary’s Viktor Orban.|title=Le Pen May Ditch Her EU Parliament Group in Far-Right Shakeup|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-07-02/le-pen-may-ditch-her-eu-parliament-group-in-far-right-shakeup}}
On 8 July 2024, the League and the National Rally also left the group to join Patriots for Europe.{{Cite web |date=2024-07-07 |title=Patrioti per l'Europa si allarga: Orban con Lega e Le Pen a 82 seggi/ ID non ha più numeri per il Parlamento |url=https://www.ilsussidiario.net/news/patrioti-per-leuropa-si-allarga-orban-con-lega-e-le-pen-a-82-seggi-id-non-ha-piu-numeri-per-il-parlamento/2727993/ |access-date=2024-07-08 |website=www.ilsussidiario.net |language=it}}
Ideology
The group lists its core priorities as protecting European cultural heritage and the sovereignty of European nations, creating jobs and growth, increasing security, stopping illegal immigration, regulating legal immigration, fighting EU bureaucracy and preventing what it describes as the potential Islamisation of Europe. Identity and Democracy also opposes the possible accession of Turkey to the European Union.{{cite press release |url=http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/headlines/eu-affairs/20190712STO56963/parliament-group-priorities-identity-and-democracy |title=Parliament group priorities: Identity and Democracy |date=19 August 2019 |website=www.europarl.europa.eu}} The group calls for a Europe based on cooperation and further reforms of the EU through "more transparency and accountability" at Brussels, but rejects any further evolution towards a European Superstate.https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/kantodev/pages/102/attachments/original/1582196570/EN_Statutes_of_the_ID_Group.pdf?1582196570 {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}} Political commentators have variously described Identity and Democracy as nationalist, right-wing populist, anti-immigrant, and Eurosceptic, although the group emphasises itself as sovereigntist as opposed to "anti-European".
MEPs
= 9th European Parliament =
{{main|List of members of the European Parliament (2019–2024)}}
File:Identity and Democracy European MEPs.svg
| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:90%"
! State ! National party ! colspan=2 | {{nowrap|European party}} |
| {{flag|Austria}}
| Freedom Party of Austria | {{party color cell|Identity and Democracy Party}} | ID Party | {{composition bar|3|19|{{party color|Identity and Democracy Party}}}} |
| {{flag|Belgium}}
| Flemish Interest | {{party color cell|Identity and Democracy Party}} | ID Party | {{composition bar|3|21|{{party color|Identity and Democracy Party}}}} |
| {{flag|Czech Republic}}
| Freedom and Direct Democracy | {{party color cell|Identity and Democracy Party}} | ID Party | {{composition bar|1|21|{{party color|Identity and Democracy Party}}}} |
| {{flag|Denmark}}
| Danish People's Party | {{party color cell|None}} | None | {{composition bar|1|14|{{party color|None}}}} |
| {{flag|Estonia}}
| Conservative People's Party of Estonia | {{party color cell|Identity and Democracy Party}} | ID Party | {{composition bar|1|7|{{party color|Identity and Democracy Party}}}} |
| {{flag|France}}
| National Rally | {{party color cell|Identity and Democracy Party}} | ID Party | {{composition bar|18|79|{{party color|Identity and Democracy Party}}}} |
| {{flag|Italy}}
| League | {{party color cell|Identity and Democracy Party}} | ID Party | {{composition bar|22|76|{{party color|Identity and Democracy Party}}}} |
| {{flag|European Union}}
! colspan=3 style="text-align:right" | Total ! {{composition bar|49|705|{{party color|Identity and Democracy}}}} |
|---|
==Former members==
| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:90%"
! State ! National party ! colspan=2 | {{nowrap|European party}} ! colspan=2 | New group |
| {{flag|Finland}}
| Finns Party | {{party color cell|None}} | None | {{party color cell|European Conservatives and Reformists Group}} | ECR | {{composition bar|2|14|{{party color|European Conservatives and Reformists Group}}}} |
| {{flag|Germany}}
| Alternative for Germany | {{party color cell|Identity and Democracy Party}} | ID Party | {{party color cell|Non-attached members}} | NI | {{composition bar|9|96|{{party color|Non-attached members}}}} |
| {{flag|Netherlands}}
| Forum for Democracy | {{party color cell|None}} | None | {{party color cell|Non-attached members}} | NI | {{composition bar|1|29|{{party color|Non-attached members}}}} |
Organization
=President=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
!colspan=2|President !Took office !Left office !Country !Party |
| Marco Zanni
|70px |2 July |8 July |{{ITA}} | |
=Bureau=
Group bureau during the 9th European Parliament.{{Cite web|url=https://www.idgroup.eu/about|title=About ID Group|website=ID Group|access-date=2024-07-08}}
| class="wikitable" |
| style="width:150px;"| Position
! style="width:150px;"| Name ! style="width:150px;"| Country ! style="width:150px;"| Party |
|---|
| President
| Italy | Lega |
| Vice-President
| France |
References
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}
External links
- {{Commonscatinline}}
{{European Parliament groups}}
Category:Former European Parliament party groups
Category:Former European political alliances
Category:2019 establishments in the European Union
Category:Political parties established in 2019
Category:2024 disestablishments in the European Union
Category:Political parties disestablished in 2024
Category:Right-wing politics in Europe