Far-right leaders, including Italy's League chief Matteo Salvini, gathered in Milan on Saturday, April 18, 2026, to protest European Union immigration and energy policies [1, 2, 3].
The rally signals a coordinated effort by nationalist leaders to shift the EU's approach to border security and energy independence by challenging current sanctions and migration laws.
Several thousand people attended the event [3]. The participants called for the implementation of a remigration plan, and the adoption of a points-based residence permit system to restrict immigration [1, 2]. These proposals aim to replace existing EU immigration frameworks with stricter, merit-based criteria for residency.
Beyond migration, the gathering focused on the EU energy crisis. Salvini and other leaders pushed for the reopening of Russian oil imports [1, 2]. They criticized the response of the EU to the energy crisis, suggesting that the current restrictions on Russian energy are detrimental to European economic stability.
The event served as a platform for the group, identifying as "Europe's Patriots," to align their policy goals. The leaders argued that the current EU trajectory fails to protect national sovereignty and economic interests — specifically regarding energy costs and demographic shifts.
Salvini said the EU must change its course on energy and migration to ensure the survival of European nations [1]. The call for Russian oil imports marks a direct challenge to the sanctions regime established by the EU member states in response to geopolitical conflicts.
“Several thousand people attended the event”
This rally represents a strategic alignment of far-right movements across Europe, attempting to pivot the continent away from collective EU sanctions and toward nationalist border controls. By linking the energy crisis to the need for Russian oil, these leaders are attempting to frame economic hardship as a direct result of EU-led diplomacy, potentially weakening the unified front against Russian influence in Europe.
