European Nationalist Leaders Hold Rally in Milan on Immigration and EU Policies

Thousands of people attended a rally in Milan on April 18, 2026, organized by the Patriots for Europe group in the European Parliament. The event focused on issues including immigration, security, and opposition to European Union regulations. Leaders from nationalist parties across Europe spoke at the gathering held in front of Milan's Duomo cathedral.

A significant police presence separated the rally from a counter-demonstration by thousands of anti-fascist groups. ' Organizers included representatives from Italy's League party.

Event

Participants and Speeches Matteo Salvini, leader of Italy's League party and deputy prime minister in the government led by Giorgia Meloni, organized the event.

Jordan Bardella from France's National Rally and Geert Wilders from the Netherlands attended and spoke. Wilders stated that mass immigration, particularly from Islamic countries, had affected Europe's original inhabitants. Salvini addressed the recent electoral defeat of Viktor Orban in Hungary, where Orban was voted out after 16 years by Peter Magyar.

Salvini said Orban had defended borders and fought traffickers, and called for continuing that effort. Marine Le Pen, president of France's National Rally, had visited Budapest before the election to support Orban. Bardella told the rally that victory in France's upcoming presidential election was within reach and that they were preparing to replace the current leadership.

He also mentioned addressing immigration and EU regulations on industry and economies.

Broader

Context and Related Events The rally followed Orban's defeat, who was a co-founder of Patriots for Europe.

Ahead of Hungary's election, Le Pen described 2027 as fundamental for their political movement, noting elections in France, Italy, Spain, and Poland could allow changes to the EU. On the same day, a gathering of progressive leaders was scheduled in Barcelona, including Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

The League party has called for the EU to soften budget deficit rules due to the energy crisis from the Middle East war.

Farmers protesting free trade agreements and motorcyclists opposing traffic restrictions participated in a march to the rally site.

Political

Landscape in Italy The event served as a demonstration for the League in its Lombardy stronghold.

8 percent in 2022. The party faces pressure from the new National Future party founded by Roberto Vannacci, a retired general who left the League in February, with about three percent support. Forza Italia, a coalition partner in the government, planned a separate event in Milan on social and civic engagement of children of immigrants.