Europe’s far right is lost in Trump’s war against Iran
Europe’s far right is lost in Trump’s war against Iran
The conflict ignited by U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran has created fractures within Europe’s far-right movements, leaving them at odds over their stance. Airstrikes that targeted Iran’s leadership have sparked debates among nationalists, who are now torn between supporting the U.S.-led campaign and voicing concerns about its domestic implications.
Proponents of Trump’s policies, including his pro-Israel leanings and anti-Islamic rhetoric, have found themselves hesitant to fully back the war. The potential for rising energy prices and other adverse effects on European citizens has made it difficult for these factions to align openly with the attacks. While some parties condemn the Iranian regime, others face pressure to balance their loyalty to Trump with the need to address the fallout.
Hungary’s Fidesz remains silent
Initially, Hungary’s ruling party Fidesz stayed quiet, as Prime Minister Viktor Orbán refrained from either condemning or endorsing the strikes. Orbán, who has praised Trump as a “peacemaker” for his role in Gaza, later resolved the ambiguity by stating in an ATV interview that bombing Iran was not a new war but the “final elimination and closure of a previous, unresolved focal point.”
“Bombing Iran is not a fresh war, but rather the final elimination and closure of a previous, unresolved focal point.”
Italian League’s dilemma
The Italian League, led by Matteo Salvini, has also grappled with this issue. Their leader has previously championed Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize and promoted anti-interventionist strategies in global conflicts. Paolo Borchia, the party’s European Parliament delegation head, told Euronews that the topic is delicate, especially as Italy debates the use of its bases to target Iran.
“We always prefer the diplomatic way,” said Paolo Borchia, acknowledging the topic’s sensitivity amid fierce domestic debate.
German AfD voices caution
Germany’s Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) leaders Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla highlighted the Middle East’s instability as a threat to European interests. AfD MEP Tomasz Fröhlich warned of severe consequences, stating, “A further collapse of Iran would be catastrophic, unleashing massive migration waves, severe energy price shocks, and a cascade of other collateral damages that would inevitably burden our population.”
“The renewed destabilisation of the Middle East is not in Germany’s interest and must be brought to an end,” said AfD leaders, emphasizing the need for urgent measures like boosting coal and nuclear energy.
Flemish Interest and Czechia’s ANO
The far-right Flemish Interest party, during a Belgian Parliament debate, raised alarms about the knock-on effects of Western interventions in Libya and Syria. They echoed similar worries about energy and migration crises. Czechia’s ANO party faces a similar struggle, with internal discussions revealing their reluctance to blindly follow the U.S. and Israel into a conflict that might increase energy costs—a major concern in the country.
French National Rally challenges U.S. actions
The French National Rally (RN) has expressed more skepticism, with leaders Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella previously criticizing U.S. raids on Venezuela. Despite their anti-Tehran stance, they agree with President Emmanuel Macron that the U.S. intervention in the Iran war was conducted “outside the framework of international law.”
“A change imposed from the outside—especially through air bombings alone—has no historical example of success,” RN MEP Pierre-Romain Thionnet told Euronews.
Meanwhile, other nationalist groups such as Spain’s Vox, the Netherlands’ Freedom Party, and Nigel Farage’s Reform UK have shown stronger alignment with Trump. This divergence has made it challenging for far-right groups in the European Parliament to reach a consensus. Both Patriots for Europe (PfE) and Europe of Sovereign Nations (ESN) claim they allow national delegations autonomy, as usual. However, internal discussions reveal the topic is highly sensitive, with debates ongoing about the impact of Trump’s foreign policies on Europe’s unity.
