Far-right close to forming group in European Parliament

(BRUSSELS) - Europe's far-right parties hope to soon have their own political group in the European Parliament, which would make them eligible for EU funds, a prospect that worries political opponents.

"For the moment, it's on the right track. It's not finished yet but I'm quite optimistic," French National Front deputy Bruno Gollnisch, who would be likely to lead the bloc, told AFP.

The arrival in the European Union on January 1 of Bulgaria and Romania, bringing with them 35 and 18 MEPs respectively, is helping the far-right unite the 20 deputies from five countries it needs to form a political group.

For the moment, at least 18 lawmakers from at least six countries are ready to join the bloc should it get off the ground, said Gollnisch, who is awaiting a verdict in his trial over remarks about the Nazi death camp gas chambers.

Seven French deputies would join -- including National Front leader Jean-Marie Le Pen and his daughter Marine -- and Andreas Moelzer, formerly of Joerg Haider's far-right Freedom party in Austria.

Belgian Vlaams Belang leader Franck Vankecke and two other members of his anti-immigrant party are also in line, along with British MEP Ashley Mote and a Bulgarian lawmaker.

In December, Corneliu Vadim Tudor, the president of the Parti Romania Mare (PRM) who has been accused of xenophobia and anti-Semitism and charged with a dozen cases of defamation, said his party's five eurodeputies would sign up.

"If the group is created, I hope it will have a catalysing effect and that others will join," Gollnisch said, adding that he thought deputies with the nationalist League of Polish Families might be tempted over.

It is not the first time that the far-right has had a bloc in the assembly. Le Pen led the Group of the European Right from 1984 to 1989, and the Technical Group of the European Right from 1989 to 1994.

If enough members are gathered together, the group could be formed at the first pleniary session of the year in Strasbourg starting next Monday.

"From the moment a group is formed it has a lot more power in the European Parliament," worried French Socialist MEP Martine Roure.

It would have access to the assembly's budget and its members would be allowed more speaking time during sessions.

"I can only regret that the extreme right is making progress and can get its voice heard more because it is a voice that is very dangerous for democracy and human rights," Roure said.

In a statement, the European Network Against Racism urged MEPs not to work with the proposed group or any of its members.

"The rise of the far-right in Europe represents the institutionalisation of growing prejudice and anti-minority sentiment: we cannot allow such views to become a legitimate political voice," said its chairman, Bashy Quraishy.