The radical rights in Europe - two very distinct political families...

...sometimes at odds even fighting each other as history showed.

A prevailing tendency persists to lump together parties on the radical and far-right spectrum, encapsulating all those positioned to the right of center-right parties under the same umbrella term, branding them as anti-migrant populists. Following this likening, media often highlight the apparent inability of these parties to find common ground among themselves.

Admittedly, the boundaries between the radical right and far-right can sometimes blur, and exceptions on certain issues may exist. Yet, overarching policy distinctions exist, delineating these groups into distinct entities.

So, if they share similarities, why do they occupy separate factions within the EU Parliament (European Conservatives and Reformists Group vs. Identity and Democracy Group), as well as within their respective home countries (Fratelli di Italia vs. Lega in Italy, Reconquête vs. Rassemblement National in France)?

Consider David Cameron's pivotal move shifting Tory MEPs from the European People's Party (EPP), a center-right faction, to the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR), a conservative alliance. This maneuver underscores a clear ideological and agenda-based separation.

Certainly, they converge on a few fronts, voicing concerns against mass migration, "wokism," and the perils of Islamism. However, their approaches often diverge. Understanding these nuances is pivotal in deciphering their actions and decisions.

Notably, Fidesz doesn't align with either of these factions. Viktor Orban's departure from the EPP, prior to facing expulsion over accusations of weakening his country's judiciary. Orban maintains ties with leaders from both of these political "families."

Group at the EU parliament	ECR: European Conservatives and Reformists	ID: Identity and Democracy
Main Parties of the EU Group	PiS, Fratelli di Italia, Vox (formerly UK Tories, potentially Reconquete)	Lega, RN, AfD, FPO
Parliament activity and allies	Euro-realists: constructive approach, participation in commssions, bills and can ally with EPP.	Anti-EU: absentism, blocking tactics, ignored by the other EU groups at the Parliament
Other Denominations	Ultra conservative, ultra free-markets, radical right, traditionalist christians	Far-Right, Nationalists, Identitarists
Diplomacy / International leaning	pro US, NATO, EU, democracies	pro-Russia, often pro-China, autocrats, anti-EU
Economics	Free markets / close to the centre-right*	State intervention / close to the left
Social agenda	Right wing: hostility to same-sex marriage, LGBT movement and against most progressive movements.	can be in favour of some (not all) lefttist and progressive movements : incl. LGBT claims, same-sex marriage...
Political constitution position	Law and order within the respect of the rule of law set by democratic constitution	Challenge existing rule of law to impose authoritarian regime illiberal
Voters and campaign style	Elitist, upper-class, traditionalist right-wing voters	Populists, working class, unemployed, attracted large part of Left voters.
Religious	close to Christian churches, pillar of traditions	secular, no link or reference to the church, sometimes anti-christian
Historical lineage	Traditional, roots before French revolution, organic village community ideal, anti State intervention, limited as possble. In WW2 on the side of the Allies and "Free World".	Modern: in line to the French revolution, totalitarian revolutions of XX century
CPAC Guests	YES	NO

*PiS: tend to have a state intervention