On Sunday, September 21st, conservatives gathered in northern Italy to hear from international party leaders. Discussion topics included immigration, radical Islam, and the activist judiciary.
Thousands of young activists attended the annual event—hosted by Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini’s Lega party—in the city of Pontida.
Several participants were seen wearing t-shirts depicting American conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Among the invitees was Jordan Bardella, leader of France’s National Rally, whom Salvini introduced as President Emmanuel “Macron’s nightmare.”
“In a curious paradox, Italy is today more stable than France,” where Macron is struggling to form a stable government, Bardella said in Italian, pledging to “restore security” and “defend borders.”
Bardella called the European Union a
mad machine that is sidelining our farmers, our industries and our businesses.
Flávio Bolsonaro—son of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro—also attended, accusing judges of bullying the Right.
In a recorded video message, Santiago Abascal—leader of the Spanish party VOX—pledged a “Europe of sovereign peoples.”
Closing the event, Salvini reiterated his anti-war position—stating that “Italy would not send its sons to die in Ukraine.”
Salvini has repeatedly criticised Macron’s support for potentially sending troops to Ukraine as “security guarantees” for Kyiv against Russia.
