ECR's first goal to defend our nations says Meloni

(ANSA) - ROME, APR 24 - The first goal of the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) caucus at the European Parliament is to "defend our nations," ECR Chair and Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni told the caucus in unveiling its manifesto for the June 8-9 European elections in Strasbourg Tuesday evening.
    "Our first objective will be to defend our nations from attempts to deprive them of their powers," she told a rally of the conservative parties including Spain's Vox, Poland's Law and Justice, Eric Zemmour's French Reconquete (Reconquest), the Sweden Democrats, and the Finns Party, a group which is led by Meloni's Brothers of Italy (FdI) party and is soon set to see the arrival of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's Fidesz too.
    "'Doing less, doing better' is our mantra.
    "The principle of subsidiarity is our compass.
    "It is this that makes Europe strong and united, an impressive network of culture, economies, histories and opinions that make us what we are".
    The Meloni-led ECR is hoping to forge alliances to upset the centre-left-centre-right-liberal colaition currently leading the EU.
    In the current 9th European Parliament, the centre right and Christian Democrat European People's Party (EPP), which features Italy's post Berlusconi Forza Italia, a domestic ally of Meloni's, formed a coalition with the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats and Renew Europe to elect Ursula von der Leyen as president of the European Commission.
    As well as Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani's FI, the other Italian domestic coalition member is Deputy Premier and Transport Minister Matteo Salvini's League, which belongs to the Identity and Freedom (ID) caucus at the EP along with Marine Le Pen's Natonal Rally and Alternative for Germany.
    (ANSA).