Dutch far-right party to join Orbán's new EU Parliament alliance

Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban attends a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. -/Kremlin/dpa

The Party for Freedom (PVV), a Dutch far-right nationalist party, will join a new alliance of similarly like-minded parties in the European Parliament, its leader said.

Dubbed the Patriots for Europe, the alliance was recently formed by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.

"We are PVV patriots, we love our nation. Strong and sovereign. Resisting illegal immigration. We defend peace and freedom. And support Ukraine. We protect our Judeo-Christian heritage. And our families," wrote PVV leader Geert Wilders on X on Friday evening.

"We want to combine forces in the EP and will proudly join Patriots For Europe!"

Wilders' party won the parliamentary elections in the Netherlands last November. The PVV is the largest party in the new four-way right-wing coalition that was sworn in on Tuesday. Dick Schoof, the former head of the Dutch intelligence service, leads it as prime minister.

In June's elections for the European Parliament, the PVV won six seats.

Orbán's Fidesz party, Austria's far-right Freedom Party and the populist Czech ANO party were the first members the Patriots for Europe alliance when it was announced late last month.

Spain's far-right Vox and the Portuguese far-right party Chega also recently said they would join.

With Wilders' announcement, the new group would have MEPs from six countries - membership of MEPs from at least seven countries is required for group status in the European Parliament.

So far, the Alternative for Germany (AfD) has declined to join.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) shakes hands with Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban during their meeting in Moscow. -/Kremlin/dpa