Marine Le Pen Addresses Lega Congress: 'We Will Not Surrender'

During a virtual address at the Lega party congress in Florence, Marine Le Pen, the leader of the French National Rally (Rassemblement National), asserted the party's commitment to defend their democratic rights. In her message, she emphasized, 'In the face of this violence, we will never yield. We will utilize all legal means to present ourselves in this presidential election.'

Le Pen's remarks come on the heels of her recent conviction for the misappropriation of EU funds, which resulted in a sentence of four years, including two years suspended and two years under electronic surveillance, along with a fine of EUR100,000. She pointed out that not only is France facing a challenge to its democracy, but so are their allies in Portugal, who are threatened by potential prohibitions on their political activities. 'The entire freedom of our peoples is at stake,' she claimed.

Le Pen continued her address by discussing the implications of her conviction on the French electorate. 'Citizens will not have the opportunity to vote for the candidate they wish to see lead our country. Our struggle will be civil and democratic. Remember Martin Luther King and his fight for civil rights: it is the rights of the French citizens that are under threat. We do not stand above the law, but we also do not stand beneath it.'

The Lega congress saw participation from several representatives of European right-wing parties, with Matteo Salvini, the party leader since 2013, seeking re-election. Udo Landbauer, the deputy chairman of the Austrian Freedom Party (FPÖ) and regional vice president of Lower Austria, also attended the event. He criticized what he termed the 'Brussels madness,' asserting that it is leading Europe toward disaster.

Landbauer remarked, 'What unites us is not just political affinity. We are fighting against the Brussels madness that threatens to erase our identities.' He expressed dissatisfaction with the EU's promises, stating that instead of prosperity, the bloc has brought about crime and radical elements. 'This is where we are needed: democratic forces standing against this madness and representing the interests of our peoples. Leaders like Orban and Salvini are not merely politicians; they are patriots fighting for security and happiness. If they cannot be stopped politically, they will be halted in other ways,' he asserted, labeling Salvini a 'hero' for his efforts against illegal immigration in Italy.

The two-day event in Florence attracted 725 delegates from across Italy, rallying behind Salvini, who is the sole candidate for the party leadership. In the current government led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Salvini serves as both the Minister of Transport and Deputy Prime Minister. The Lega party, which currently polls at around 8% support, is part of a center-right coalition that has been in power in Italy since September 2022, supporting Meloni's administration since its inception in October 2022.