Perisic: Unclear potential of the unification of the European right-wing

Nikola Perisic, an associate at the Center for Social Research, assessed that the formation of the right-wing bloc "Patriots for Europe" has shown that the unification of the right in Europe is indeed possible, but their potential within the EU remains unclear.

"This indicates that there is a possibility for the right-wing to unite within the EU. We often heard that cooperation was impossible, and we saw this in the proposed collaboration between Marine Le Pen and Giorgia Meloni. Somehow, the argument always highlighted the fact that national parties primarily have the national interests of the states they represent, which is in contradiction with the interests of other states, and thus cooperation cannot occur," Perisic told Kosovo online.

He emphasizes that the formation of the parliamentary group "Patriots for Europe" is a continuation of cooperation on the right spectrum in the EU, but their potential remains unclear.

"It is still unclear what their potential will be and whether they will be able to fully influence the functioning of the European Union. However, the numbers they have and the political credibility of the people leading them will certainly have an impact and a voice within the European Parliament," Perisic stresses.

He believes that they will not be able to influence the EU's coherent policy towards the Western Balkans and the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina.

"Definitely, everything happening in the European Union will have implications for Serbia and other Western Balkan countries aspiring to join the EU. However, it seems that the EU has a coherent policy it is currently pursuing, especially regarding the status of Kosovo and Metohija. It is fully resolved to try to advance the negotiations currently at an impasse, with the aim of preventing further potential escalation of violence in the area. Europe wants to avoid the possibility of a new armed conflict on its continent, as this would lead to a definitive crisis, both politically and economically, within Europe," Perisic states.

He is convinced that European sovereigntist parties have a different opinion regarding the status of Kosovo and better understand Belgrade's position, but this does not mean they will "definitely be on Serbia's side" in the European Parliament.

"We cannot say they will definitely be on Serbia's side, but they will definitely have more understanding for Serbia's national interest, primarily the status of Kosovo and Metohija. A potential negative consequence could be that the EU faces certain challenges on its internal front, preventing it from focusing on foreign policy and the policy of enlargement. We know that one of Serbia's strategic goals is to join the EU," Perisic concludes.