Salvini and Le Pen had been meant to meet face-to-face in Rome to discuss next year’s European Parliament elections, but the in-person meeting was postponed due to the wave of unrest that has hit France following the death of a 17-year-old boy shot by police in Nanterre on Tuesday.
The League and the National Rally both belong to the right-wing Identity and Democracy Party (ID).
A League statement said that, during the talks, Salvini “reiterated the determination to build a common home for the centre right that is an alternative to the Socialists, without vetoes.
“The aim is to realise the historic, first centre-right government that combats the Left of taxes and wild immigration,” it said.
The statement said that Salvini and Le Pen “confirmed the reciprocal sentiments of esteem and friendship”.
Salvini said the League would never form any form of alliance with the Socialists and “does not accept vetoes on our allies”.
On Sunday, Salvini floated the idea of a broad centre-right alliance for next year’s European Parliament elections also including the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party and Le Pen.
Earlier on Monday, Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and acting leader of centre-right Forza Italia (FI) Antonio Tajani ruled out this possibility at the European level.
“It is impossible for us to reach any kind of agreement with AfD and the party of Mrs Le Pen,” Tajani told Agorà Estate on Rai 3.
“When I was elected President of the European Parliament, I personally initiated an agreement between Conservatives, Populists and Liberals.
“In my opinion, that is the agreement to focus on [in view of European Parliament elections in 2024],” Tajani added.
“The League is something quite different,” he continued.
“We would be happy to have the League part of a majority (in the European Parliament, currently represented by the EPP, ed.), but without Le Pen and without AfD.”
ANSA
