"Unity, More Unity"...Global Left- and Right-Wing Leaders Rally Supporters Across Europe on Same Day

Far-Right Leaders Rally in Milan, Italy

Left-Wing Heads of State Gather in Barcelona, Spain on the Same Day

Calls for "Unity" Amid Orban’s Fall and Trump’s Turmoil

On the same day, left- and right-wing political leaders from around the world gathered in Europe to rally their supporters.

On the 18th (local time), a large-scale rally was held in Milan, Italy, led by Matteo Salvini, Deputy Prime Minister and leader of the Italian nationalist party, Lega. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News.

According to Yonhap News on the 18th (local time), citing AFP and other sources, “Europe’s far-right forces held a large-scale rally in Milan, Italy, denouncing illegal immigration and European Union (EU) bureaucracy.” The event took place near the iconic Milan Cathedral, led by Matteo Salvini, Deputy Prime Minister of Italy and leader of the Italian nationalist party "Lega".

Thousands of supporters from the “Patriots for Europe”—a far-right group in the European Parliament—attended the rally. Notable right-wing leaders present included Jordan Bardella, leader of France’s National Rally (RN); Geert Wilders, head of the Dutch Party for Freedom (PVV); and Santiago Abascal, leader of Spain’s VOX. Analysts say this gathering reflects a sense of crisis among Europe’s far-right, following the defeat of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban—once considered their figurehead—in the general election, ending his 16-year rule.

Deputy Prime Minister Salvini declared, “Dear Viktor, you defended the borders and fought against human traffickers and arms smugglers. We will continue this fight for freedom and the rule of law,” adding, “I will follow in Prime Minister Orban’s footsteps.” He went on to say that “Europe has been overrun by illegal refugees,” and proposed a system for deporting migrants who commit a certain number of offenses, as well as a policy in which culturally similar countries would accept those migrants.

Geert Wilders, known as the "Trump of the Netherlands," also took the stage, stating, “The tragedy we predicted has become reality. Europe’s indigenous population is facing a tsunami of massive illegal immigration from Islamic countries,” and stressed, “We must halt immigration from Islamic countries.”

The leaders also reaffirmed their determination to build political power. Jordan Bardella, the RN leader who is gaining influence in France, said, “Our victory in the presidential election will not only be a win for France, but a victory for all European countries.” Santiago Abascal of VOX criticized the government of Pedro Sanchez for its policy of granting residence permits to 500,000 undocumented migrants, saying, “This is why we must unite.”

Inacio Lula da Silva, President of Brazil Reuters Yonhap News

Meanwhile, in Barcelona, Spain, left-leaning leaders including Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, President Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil, President Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico, President Gustavo Petro of Colombia, and President Catherine Connolly of Ireland gathered for a “Democracy Defense Conference.” David Lammy, Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, and Lars Klingbeil, Deputy Prime Minister of Germany, also attended.

Prime Minister Sanchez described the conference as “an effort to provide a foundation for all progressive forces around the world,” emphasizing, “Our unity will be our strength.” He noted, “The far right is organizing internationally,” but argued, “They are raising their voices not because they are winning, but because they know their era is over.” President Lula targeted U.S. President Donald Trump, stating, “We cannot wake up every morning to a president who threatens the world and declares war.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.