The National Rally (RN) has officially severed ties with its German ally, Alternative für Deutschland (AfD), within the Identity and Democracy (ID) group in the European Parliament. This decision follows inflammatory comments made by AfD head Maximilian Krah, who argued in an interview with the Italian newspaper La Repubblica that 'an SS was not automatically a criminal' and that 'guilt must be assessed on a case-by-case basis.' These remarks have sparked significant outrage and led to a formal break between the two parties.
Jordan Bardella, head of the RN, declared this decision via the party's internal WhatsApp group, stressing that 'there can be neither questioning, nor justification, nor minimization of what belongs to the height of barbarism in the history of humanity.' Bardella also noted that the RN is not responsible for the words and actions of other European parties, underscoring the need to distance themselves from the AfD amidst growing controversies.
The relationship between the RN and AfD has been fraught with tension over several months, primarily due to the AfD's controversial actions and statements. Issues came to a head in April when the AfD parliamentary group in the Bundestag raised questions about France’s sovereignty over Mayotte, comparing it to Russia's stance on Crimea, which drew a sharp rebuke from Marine Le Pen. She emphasized the inconsistency in the AfD's foreign policy criticisms and criticized their involvement in German political affairs.
Further complications arose when an aide to Maximilian Krah was arrested for espionage for China and another AfD member, Petr Bystron, faced allegations of receiving funds to promote pro-Russian propaganda. These incidents have compounded the strain on the partnership, leading to a series of unresolved grievances and a growing sense of unease within the RN.
The final blow came from Krah’s latest controversial comments about the SS, which were seen as the last straw for the RN. Marine Le Pen’s reluctance to continue the alliance was evident when she complained about the unmanageable nature of the AfD during a visit to Madrid. This growing dissatisfaction culminated in the RN’s decisive move to cut ties as they prepare for the upcoming European elections. The split reflects broader ideological and strategic divides, illustrating the complex dynamics within far-right political alliances in Europe.
- The AfD appears to be unfazed by the separation, with co-president Alice Weidel expressing surprise at the RN’s reaction. She reiterated that Krah's comments had been misunderstood and emphasized that the AfD never questioned Mayotte's status within France.
- Despite this, the RN's move to distance itself from the AfD could mark a significant shift in the ID group's composition and strategies in the European Parliament. As both parties gear up for the impending European elections, the consequences of this split may extend beyond their immediate political spheres, potentially influencing voter sentiments and broader political alignments across Europe.
