Massimiliano Ferrari Discusses Europe's Future at Budapest Lecture

Ferrari spoke about the risks faced by individuals who do not align with mainstream political or media narratives. Reflecting on his time as a journalist in Italy, he described how expressing views outside accepted boundaries led to accusations of racism and xenophobia. Sharing controversial opinions, he said, came at a personal cost, yet he does not regret it. He emphasized that stepping outside the accepted framework—whether in media or politics—is dangerous and can affect both one’s professional and private life.

Speaking from a political perspective, Ferrari explained that being an alternative voice in Italy, particularly outside the influence of the dominant Democratic Party, results in exclusion from the system. He described a landscape where individuals not aligned with the ruling elite are denied recognition, especially within journalism. He acknowledged that he was aware of the consequences when he chose this path, knowing it would impact both his career and personal life.

Addressing migration, Ferrari recalled his initial optimism in 1989 when he believed Europe was on the path to unification. However, after spending time in Holland and visiting Brussels, he began to sense that something had gone wrong. He observed a gradual increase in Islamic influence in various areas and noted that at the time, there were no patriotic political movements in countries like the Netherlands to confront the issue.

According to Ferrari, Italy is now facing challenges similar to those in France, where large numbers of undocumented migrants make deportation nearly impossible due to citizenship policies. He also pointed to tensions in France, particularly surrounding efforts to deport dual nationals, such as those from Algeria.

Ferrari stated that Hungary is in a stronger position to avoid these issues and could serve as a model for others. He described the presence of violent gangs in Italy composed of undocumented North African migrants and claimed that these groups are involved in theft and other crimes. He argued that Italian citizens who attempt to defend themselves often face legal penalties, creating a situation where law-abiding people are punished while criminals go unchecked.

In his view, integration policies in Europe have failed, resulting in the development of parallel societies, which he said are often celebrated by the media. He argued that genuine integration would require full assimilation, which he sees as unfeasible given the scale of migration. Despite his concerns, Ferrari expressed optimism about the rise of patriotic movements across the continent. He credited Hungary’s government with showing that it is possible to resist the current political trajectory and cited growing momentum in countries like Sweden, Italy, and the United States. He believes that now is the time to build a united front and suggested that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán could serve as a key figure in connecting European patriotic movements with leaders like Donald Trump.