Orban defends Salvini in Pontida, "he is a hero, he defended Europe. Prosecuting him is a shame"

Thirty-sixth meeting of the League. Viktor Orban is on stage on the Pontida lawn, greeted by applause and chants upon his arrival.

“We celebrate in Hungary Salvini as a hero because he closed the borders and defended the homes of Italians – said the Hungarian prime minister -. Indeed, he defended Europe and deserves an honor and not criminal proceedings. The Open Arms trial is a shame, it is a shame for the left and for all of Europe. Matteo Salvini is a European patriot. I feel good here with you, it’s like I’m at home.”

Before Orban, MEP Roberto Vannacci took center stage, welcomed by a small crowd of militants who wanted to greet him or take a selfie with him. “They say that Vannacci wants to use the League as a minibus – said the general, speaking of himself in the third person -. No, I’m still here, I believe in the word given and in honor, I still believe it. We will all move forward together and they won’t stop us. They are afraid because the wind is blowing throughout Europe, in Germany, France, Austria and the Czech Republic, and is descending towards the south. We are all here together and we will not give up an inch.”

On the hypothesis of a possible membership in the League, Vannacci did not want to say anything. “I have already signed the collection of signatures for Salvini” to support him in the Open Arms case, he limited himself to replying. And when a militant urged him not to “start another party”, the general’s reply was clear: “”But do you listen to these gentlemen?”, pointing to the journalists on site. And then, always turning to the reporters , Vannacci said ironically: “Aren’t you afraid of being here, among all these dangerous extremists?”

A concept reiterated shortly afterwards in his speech: “We must all be careful, according to some you are extremists, dangerous people, who bring up execrable ideas from many years ago. But no, we are here because we respect the popular vote. We are here for the new course of the League, which completes, which brings everyone together, which is based on principles of sovereignty, wealth, traditions and honor”.

On the topic of citizenship, Vannacci explained that he did not agree with the proposal made by Tajani: “I have evaluated it very carefully and I do not agree, because citizenship cannot be sold, it cannot be given away, it cannot be sold off, it is not put on a market stall. Citizenship, eventually, is earned. And since there is not even reciprocity at the international levelwith all these nations that would like Italian citizenship, in addition to being dual citizenship, because all foreigners who are born in Italy have the citizenship of ius sanguinis, therefore, they do not need another citizenship. Why should I give dual citizenship? What is it that drives? Furthermore, these gentlemen are guaranteed all rights except one. Why do you want to give citizenship to these people? The only nations that have the ius soli are those that have based their existence on immigration, namely the United States, Canada, Brazil and Argentina”, highlighted Vannacci.