Identity and Democracy (ID)

Identity and Democracy (ID)
Name	Identity and Democracy
Foundation	2019
Position	Right-wing to far-right
Seats1 title	European Parliament

Identity and Democracy (ID) is a political grouping in the European Parliament formed in 2019 that brought together nationalist, Eurosceptic, and populist parties from across France, Italy, Germany, Belgium, Austria, Netherlands, and other European Union member states. The group emerged after the 2019 European Parliament elections and positioned itself in opposition to the European Commission, the European Council, and mainstream centrist groups such as the European People's Party and the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats. Founding parties included movements led by prominent figures associated with previous national campaigns and transnational networks such as the Rassemblement National, Lega, and the Alternative for Germany.

History and Formation

ID was created in the immediate aftermath of the 2019 European elections, when delegations from parties that had cooperated informally during the 2014–2019 term sought formal recognition under Parliament rules established after the Treaty of Lisbon. Delegates negotiated alliances among delegations from France, Italy, Germany, Belgium, Austria, Denmark, and the Czech Republic. The formation process involved outreach to veteran nationalist leaders from movements like the National Rally and the Lega, and reflected shifts after the collapse of earlier groups such as the Europe of Nations and Freedom and the Europe of Freedom and Direct Democracy. Parliamentary recognition required coordination with the Conference of Presidents and formal registration under European Parliament rules.

Ideology and Political Positions

ID advances positions drawing on nationalism associated with parties like Rassemblement National, Lega, and Freiheitliche Partei Österreichs. Core stances emphasize national sovereignty in relation to documents and institutions such as the Treaty of Maastricht, opposition to policies advocated by the European Commission under presidents like Jean-Claude Juncker and Ursula von der Leyen, stricter immigration rules debated after the 2015 European migrant crisis, and reinterpretations of cooperation exemplified by treaties like the Schengen Agreement. The group expresses critique of supranational frameworks that proponents link to the European Union project, and often supports bilateral arrangements reminiscent of intergovernmental negotiations between states such as France and Italy. Economic positions vary among members, with some leaders invoking models discussed in debates involving International Monetary Fund interventions and others referencing fiscal stances from national debates in Greece and Spain.

Member Parties and Affiliates

Member delegations include parties with national roots such as Rassemblement National (France), Lega (Italy), Alternative for Germany (Germany), Vlaams Belang (Belgium), Freiheitliche Partei Österreichs (Austria), and other affiliates from countries including Denmark, the Czech Republic, and the Netherlands. Affiliated personalities who played roles in forming the group include leaders with histories in national contests like the French legislative elections and the 2018 Italian general election. The grouping also interacts with transnational networks of think tanks and foundations that have roots in debates involving figures from Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia.

Electoral Performance and Influence

In the 2019 European Parliament elections, member parties increased their combined seat share relative to some previous national delegations, translating national-level successes such as Italian gains and breakthroughs in regional contests in Flanders into a consolidated presence at Strasbourg and Brussels. ID's influence has been measured through committee assignments, voting blocs on dossiers debated in the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs and the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and tactical cooperation or opposition to major legislative packages proposed by leaders like Ursula von der Leyen and Manfred Weber. National elections since 2019—such as contests in France, Germany, and Austria—have affected the group's parliamentary strength and bargaining power in intergroup negotiations.

Organization and Leadership

The group operates under European Parliament procedures with designated chairs, vice-chairs, and administrative staff elected from member delegations; leadership figures have included MEPs associated with national parties such as Rassemblement National and Lega. Internal governance follows rules similar to those used by other parliamentary groups, including coordination with the Group of the European People's Party and the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats during plenary scheduling via the Conference of Presidents. ID maintains liaison relationships with national party headquarters, parliamentary delegations from capitals such as Paris and Rome, and external policy institutes that engage with issues debated at the European Parliament.

Criticism and Controversies

ID and its member parties have faced criticism from mainstream political groups such as the European People's Party, Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe affiliates, and human rights organizations that invoked proceedings or reports from bodies like the European Court of Human Rights and the Council of Europe. Controversies include disagreements over positions on migration following the 2015 European migrant crisis, statements by individual members compared to norms set by the Parliament's code of conduct, and debates over funding and ties to outside organizations reminiscent of scrutiny faced by parties in Poland and Hungary. Publicized disputes have sometimes led to intra-group tensions and to scrutiny by parliamentary committees addressing ethics and transparency.

Category:European Parliament political groups