Imperium Europa

{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2021}}

{{Infobox political party

| name = Imperium Europa

| native_name =

| logo = Insigne imperii Europaeae.svg

| colorcode = {{Political party data|color}}

| leader = Terrence Portelli

| general_secretary= Vacant

| foundation = 2000

| founder = Norman Lowell

| headquarters = Valletta

| slogan = Ave Europa nostra vera patria

| anthem = Ave Europa

| ideology = {{ubl||White nationalism|Pan-European nationalism|}} Right-libertarianism Ultranationalism

Euroscepticism

| position = Right-wing to far-right

| religion = Primarily Cosmotheism with elements of modern paganism, esoterism and mysticism

| international =

| colours = {{ubl|{{color box|#FFA100|border=darkgray}} Gold|{{color box|#FF1010|border=silver}} Red|{{color box|{{Political party data|color}}|border=silver}} Black}}

| registered = 2019

| seats1_title = Parliament of Malta

| seats1 = {{Political party data|seat composition bar|ms-lower-house}}

| seats2_title = European Parliament

| seats2 = {{Political party data|seat composition bar|EP}}

| website = {{Political party data|website}}

| country = Malta

}}

{{Politics of Malta}}

Imperium Europa is an ultranationalist political party in Malta. It was founded on 9 February 2000 by Norman Lowell, who was also its leader. Its primary aim is to unite Europe into one political entity, a "Europe of regions and peoples, stretching from the Channel, to Vladivostok", in order to save the white race.

History

It was officially founded on February 9, 2000, by Norman Lowell. Initially, the party started with eight members, including Norman Lowell and Arlette Baldacchino. But later on, five out of eight of the founding members were expelled due to being sleeper agents for the Nationalist, and the Labour Parties respectively. Imperium Europa contested its first election back in 2004, obtaining 1,603 votes (0.63%). In 22 January 2005, Imperium Europa made its first and one of, if not, the most notable public event associated with the party, taking place in Safi, Malta. The event was when most of the public started taking notice of Imperium Europa. The speech consisted of Norman Lowell making a speech regarding how illegal immigration will irreversibly damage the country, as happened with other European and Western countries. With Norman Lowell quoting that "our children shall open their eyes one day.. being strangers in their own lands!". In the 2009 European Parliament election in Malta, its candidates were Norman Lowell and Reuben Cauchi. In the next election, Imperium Europa contested with three candidates, who were: Norman Lowell, Antoine Galea and Arlette Baldacchino. It was registered as a political party in 2019.{{Cite web|title=Imperium Europa officially becomes political party, leader Norman Lowell to run for MEP - The Malta Independent|url=https://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2019-03-07/local-news/Imperium-Europa-officially-becomes-political-party-leader-Normal-Lowell-to-run-for-MEP-6736204688|access-date=2021-12-27|website=www.independent.com.mt}}

In the 2019 Maltese MEP elections, Imperium Europa got its record number of votes, totalling 8,238 1st preference votes (3.17%). Lowell was the only candidate representing Imperium Europa in this election. In 2024, Imperium Europa contested in Malta with Norman Lowell and Terrence Portelli on the ballot, shrinking its votes compared to the previous elections for the first time; this time obtaining 6,816 votes (2.62%), 1,422 votes less than the election before.

=Norman Lowell=

Norman Lowell was the party's founder and leader, having led the party continuously since its inception on February 9, 2000. He was the sole candidate in the first European Parliament elections that were held in Malta on 12 June 2004. He obtained 1,603 first-count votes from a total of 250,691 votes cast (0.64%). In the 2009 European Parliament elections, Lowell obtained 3,359 first-count votes (a 122% increase over the 2009 MEP elections).{{Cite web|url=http://doi-archived.gov.mt/EN/elections/2009/EU_Parlelections/eu_parl1.asp|title=Archived copy|access-date=15 April 2014|archive-date=1 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180201072042/http://doi-archived.gov.mt/EN/elections/2009/EU_Parlelections/eu_parl1.asp|url-status=dead}} Mr. Lowell ran again in 2014 and got 7,000 votes, more than double the 2009 MEP result. In 2019, he received his best electoral result of 8,238 votes, as the only candidate representing Imperium Europa in the election. In the 2024 Maltese MEP elections he only obtained 6,669 votes,{{Cite web|url=https://electoral.gov.mt/ElectionResults/MEP?year=260&v=null | title=Electoral Commission of Malta }} with the other 147 votes for Imperium Europa going to Terrence Portelli.

Campaigning strongly against illegal immigrants, Lowell was the party's sole candidate in the March 2008 parliamentary election, contesting both the 11th and 12th Districts. He obtained 84 votes on first count from both districts, obtaining 0.03% of the overall votes.

In 2025, Terrence Portelli took over the leadership of the party.

Ideology

Imperium Europa is positioned on the Right wing to the far-right{{Cite web|title=Far-right group leader sues weekly for libel|url=https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/far-right-group-leader-sues-weekly-for-libel.36696|access-date=2021-11-19|website=Times of Malta|date=November 2006 |language=en-gb}}{{Cite web|title=Norman Lowell to contest election|url=https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/norman-lowell-to-contest-election.195850|access-date=2021-11-19|website=Times of Malta|date=11 February 2008 |language=en-gb}}{{Citation |last=Harwood |first=Mark |title=Malta |date=2005 |url=http://link.springer.com/10.1057/9780230523821_22 |work=The 2004 Elections to the European Parliament |pages=187–193 |editor-last=Lodge |editor-first=Juliet |place=London |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan UK |language=en |doi=10.1057/9780230523821_22 |isbn=978-1-4039-3518-2 |access-date=2023-01-11|url-access=subscription }} on the political spectrum and it has been frequently described as a neo-Nazi,{{Cite web|title=Elections européennes 2009 : poupée brune et vague populiste|url=https://www.paperblog.fr/2014922/elections-europeennes-2009-poupee-brune-et-vague-populiste/|access-date=2021-11-19|website=Paperblog|language=fr}} neo-fascist,{{Cite journal|last1=Schmitt|first1=Hermann|last2=Teperoglou|first2=Eftichia|date=2015-07-03|title=The 2014 European Parliament Elections in Southern Europe: Second-Order or Critical Elections?|journal=South European Society and Politics|language=en|volume=20|issue=3|pages=287–309|doi=10.1080/13608746.2015.1078271|s2cid=154854512 |issn=1360-8746|doi-access=free}}{{Cite book |last=Lorenzo De Sio |first=Vincenzo Emanuele, Nicola Maggini |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/938598181 |title=Malta : hidden change? |date=2014 |publisher=CISE – Centro Italiano Studi Elettorali |isbn=978-88-98012-15-2 |location=Roma |oclc=938598181}} right-wing populist,{{Cite journal |last=Leusch |first=Caroline |date=2019-10-07 |title=Maltese exceptionalism in the populist trend |url=https://openjournals.maastrichtuniversity.nl/Marble/article/view/752 |journal=MaRBLe |volume=1 |doi=10.26481/marble.2019.v1.752 |issn=2468-0311|doi-access=free }} radical right,{{Cite book |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/794595888 |title=Political handbook of the world 2012 |date=2012 |publisher=Sage |others=Tom Lansford |isbn=978-1-4522-3434-2 |location=Los Angeles |pages=914 |oclc=794595888}} and white nationalist party.[http://www.nationalvanguard.org/story.php?id=2016 Radical–Racialist–Right–Revolutionary-Reactionaries!] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070311202804/http://www.nationalvanguard.org/story.php?id=2016|date=11 March 2007}} National Vanguard 11 February 2004. As stated in its program, its goal is to unite all European natives under one flag, hence the name "Imperium Europa", leading to "a Europid bond forged through spirituality (cosmotheism, not Christianity) closely followed by race, nurtured through high culture, protected by high politics, enforced by the elite."{{Cite book |last=Atkins |first=Stephen E. |author-link=Stephen E. Atkins |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/624337327 |title=Holocaust denial as an international movement |date=2009 |publisher=Praeger |isbn=978-0-313-34539-5 |location=Westport, Conn. |pages=136 |oclc=624337327}} Imperium Europa is also opposed to immigration.{{Cite book |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/918941246 |title=Routledge handbook of European elections |date=2016 |others=Donatella M. Viola |isbn=978-1-317-50363-7 |location=London |oclc=918941246}} Imperium Europa has connections with the French Nouvelle Droite,{{Cite journal |last=Bar-On |first=Tamir |date=2012-01-01 |title=The French New Right's Quest for Alternative Modernity |url=https://brill.com/abstract/journals/fasc/1/1/article-p18_2.xml |journal=Fascism |language=en |volume=1 |issue=1 |pages=21 |doi=10.1163/221162512X631198 |issn=2211-6249|doi-access=free }} and also with the Italian party Lega Lombarda. Its leader, Lowell, has expressed sympathy for Adolf Hitler,{{Cite news |date=2006-03-26 |title=Police question Lowell's adherents on arson attack |work=Malta Today |url=http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/2006/03/26/t8.html |url-status=dead |access-date=2023-01-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060422102350/http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/2006/03/26/t8.html |archive-date=2006-04-22}}{{Cite web |last=Hockenos |first=Paul |title=Is There a Secret Recipe for Preventing Far-Right Populism? |url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/05/09/is-there-a-secret-recipe-for-preventing-far-right-populism/ |access-date=2023-01-11 |website=Foreign Policy |date=9 May 2019 |language=en-US}} and the former United States presidential candidate Ron Paul.

Party programmes

=Proposal for institutional reform=

The party advocates a temporary national unity government, a dual system of elitist and democratic elements in order to protect the elite minority whilst simultaneously allowing democratic freedom. This would occur by having the populace democratically elect a President, who would select experts from every field to form a technocratic Cabinet, similar to that formed by Lamberto Dini in Italy in 1995.

Concurrently, there would still be the current Parliament, informing the nation of the cabinet's policies while simultaneously gathering feedback. After four years, a referendum would be held to determine whether the people want this system or go back to the parliamentary representative democratic system. If the former is chosen, the President and technocrats would carry on for another five years, while the parliamentarians would be dismissed with an attractive pension in return.[http://www.maltafly.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=556 Norman Lowell Uncut (4)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927213339/http://www.maltafly.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=556|date=27 September 2007}} Maltafly.com.

=Other priorities=

  • 10% flat rate VAT and abolition of income tax.
  • Implementation of a dynamic foreign policy, prioitising national neutrality and ethnic interests first.
  • A more rational, planned approach to the construction industry, preferably by demolishing modern buildings to return the national scenery as it was 150 years ago or more.
  • Abolition of victimless crimes.
  • Building an artificial island which would be used to generate energy and simultaneously serves as a landfill.
  • Free access to in vitro fertilisation.
  • Civil liberties: freedom of speech, and freedom of association are given very high importance, as a core concept of the party lies int acceptance of individual rights, as long as those rights do not impose on others unwillingly.
  • Gun rights, advocating for a regulated system where all firearms can be carried; both for open carry and/or concealed carry.
  • A massive reduction in the welfare state, stating that it is unfair for the taxpayer to be treated as a 'cash cow' for the ills of social economics.
  • A financial grant of €10,000 for every child given birth a family gets.
  • Privatisation of state departments, such as privatisation of hospitals.
  • More research given to develop a semiconductors industry in Malta and/or the EU to become more self-sufficient in technological advancements in the future.
  • Dissolution of the European Green Deal as Imperium Europa finds that such restrictions on businesses are harming the EU and making it uncompetitive in the world stage.
  • Commencement of works in regards to access natural resources, most notably the oil and gas reserves found around the archipelago.
  • A creation of a new currency, that is backed by gold and other rare precious metals in order to make inflation a thing of the past.
  • Promotes a system of direct democracy where members of a particular locality attend town hall meetings in order to make a decision taken for the respective locality via referendum.
  • The party advocates for the official recognition of Palestine, in opposition to Israel.
  • Allowing abortion, only if severe prenatal disabilities are detected, cases of rape, or if the mother is in a life or death situation. All decisions are finally taken by the mother, given professional opinion and advice.

Political activities

=Public events=

Imperium Europa primarily organises three activities/events, all once annually. These are: the 9th February party founding anniversary, the celebration of Lowell's birthday, taking place in the 29th July, and the commemoration of the Maltese and the Knights Hospitaller forces, obtaining a decisive victory in the Great Siege of Malta, occurring in 1565, with a wreath of flowers placed in front of the Great Siege Monument in Valletta. This activity occurs in Otto Settembre.

=Media outreach=

The party also uploads political and party related content on its two YouTube channels; named Maltastory and VoiceofTheNewRight respectively. Party conferences and notices are also uploaded on Norman Lowell's Facebook page.

Election results

=House of Representatives=

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
Election (Elezzjoni)

! Leader

! Votes

! %

! Seats

! +/–

! Position

! Government

2008

| Norman Lowell

| 84

| 0.03

| {{Composition bar|0|69|{{party color|Imperium Europa}}}}

| New

| 5th

| {{no2|extra-parliamentary}}

=European Parliament=

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center
Election

! Leader

! Votes

! %

! Seats

! +/–

! Rank

! EP Group

2004

| rowspan="5" | Norman Lowell

| 1,603

| 0.65

| {{Composition bar|0|5|{{party color|Imperium Europa}}}}

| New

| {{increase}} 4th

| rowspan="5" | –

2009

| 3,637

| 1.47

| {{Composition bar|0|6|{{party color|Imperium Europa}}}}

| {{steady}} 0

| {{steady}} 4th

2014

| 6,761

| 2.62

| {{Composition bar|0|6|{{party color|Imperium Europa}}}}

| {{steady}} 0

| {{steady}} 4th

2019

| 8,238

| 3.17

| {{Composition bar|0|6|{{party color|Imperium Europa}}}}

| {{steady}} 0

| {{increase}} 3rd

2024

| 6,816

| 2.62

| {{Composition bar|0|6|{{party color|Imperium Europa}}}}

| {{steady}} 0

| {{steady}} 3rd

References

{{Reflist}}