Geert Wilders attends Lega meeting in Pontida, Italy
14
World
October 7, 2024 13:50
pontida, italy - Geert Wilders, leader of the Dutch Party for Freedom (PVV), attends the annual Lega meeting in Pontida, Italy, expressing support for Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini. Thousands of Lega supporters gather with a display of flags and historical references.
Geert Wilders, leader of the Dutch Party for Freedom (PVV), attended the historical annual Lega meeting in Pontida, Italy, where he expressed his support for Italian Vice Prime Minister Matteo Salvini. Wilders received a warm welcome as he greeted Salvini in Italian, saying 'Matteo mio amico, ti amo' - my friend Matteo, I love you. The event saw thousands of Lega supporters laughing and cheering at Wilders' remarks.
Salvini, facing a legal battle later this month over allegations of keeping 147 migrants stranded on an NGO ship in 2019, was praised by attendees who expressed solidarity with him. Standholders offered support for Salvini, collected signatures, sold party merchandise, and showcased local products from various Italian regions.
The event featured a strong display of flags, particularly from the Northern Italian regions of Lombardy and Veneto. Attendees praised Salvini for his strong stance on defending Italy's borders amidst a politically charged atmosphere. Foreign right-wing leaders like Hungary's Viktor Orban and Wilders joined Salvini at the event.
Wilders, in his speech, emphasized the importance of national sovereignty and echoed Salvini's stance on tackling clandestine immigration. Referring to historical events like the Battle of Lepanto in 1571, both Wilders and Salvini called for a renewed alliance of European patriots to combat common challenges.
In a show of unity, Wilders voiced his support for Salvini and condemned radical Islam and illegal immigration. He highlighted ongoing efforts in the Netherlands to strengthen immigration laws and criticized EU policies on migration. The speeches by Wilders and Salvini received enthusiastic applause from the audience.