The Flemish far-right party, Vlaams Belang, has indicated its desire to join the "Patriots for Europe" group in the European Parliament, which is currently being formed by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
The group is set to be officially introduced on Monday, with the main parties involved set to meet. Other far-right parties that are joining the group are Portugal’s Chega, former Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš’s ANO, Austria’s FPÖ, Spain's Vox and the Netherlands’ PVV.
"It is with pride that we want to be part of this political family," said Vlaams Belang leader Tom Van Grieken. "The love for our people and the diversity of European nations binds us. Together, we can ensure that in Europe, too, our people come first again."
Until now, Vlaams Belang MEPs were part of the far-right Identity & Democracy (ID) group. "As right-wing, patriotic and nationalist parties, we are strong together in Europe," said Van Grieken. "We have more in common than what divides us."
It is widely expected that France’s National Rally will also follow suit to join Orbán's far-right group on Monday – just hours after falling short of their anticipated win in Sunday's parliamentary elections. Matteo Salvini's Lega, one of the last in ID, will also likely join.
With the introduction of Vlaams Belang, seven member states would be represented, which passes the minimum required number to form a group. With them, France's RN and Spain's Vox, the group is up to nine represented Member States.
According to Vlaams Belang MEP Tom Vandendriessche, the new group can become the third largest group, "bigger than the electorally punished" green and liberal groups. "This way we can influence policy," he said. "We want to move towards a Europe where the nation state is respected again instead of being engulfed in a globalist and identity-less project."
Vandendriessche's time as an MEP has not been without controversy. He has been accused of having used "Nazi-like" language and promoted unproven conspiracy theories such as the Great Replacement Theory.
In June, it was also announced that he is under investigation by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) for "possible irregularities", "misconduct" and a "breach of obligations" while in office, according to a letter seen by publications Humo and Apache. The MEP denies all allegations.
Vlaams Belang, like France's National Rally, fell short of its expected triumph in the Belgian elections in June, coming second in Flanders, behind the more moderate Flemish nationalists N-VA.
