Members of Europe's extreme right parties were set to take their seats in the European Parliament on Monday as a formal grouping for the first time in more than decade.

French National Front MEP Bruno Gollnisch handed in a formal letter constituting the bloc, named "Identity, Tradition, Sovereignty," before the parliament reconvened for its new session.

At least 20 eurodeputies from five different countries are required to form a political grouping, which is automatically eligible for annual funding of around EUR 1 M and receives certain speaking rights.

The formation of the bloc became possible after the accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the European Union, as five Romanian MEPs have signed up as well as a Bulgarian.

Gollnisch will lead the new far right bloc whose founding principles include recognising "national interests, sovereignties, identities and differences", and opposing a "unitary, bureaucratic, European superstate".

Its platform also includes commitments to Christian and traditional family values.
The membership includes seven members of the French National Front, including its leader Jean-Marie Le Pen and his daughter Marine Le Pen.

The membership list also includes Austrian Andreas Molzer, British MP Ashley Mote and Alessandra Mussolini, the granddaughter of Italian wartime dictator Benito Mussolini.

Gollnisch said he hoped the formation of the group would have a "catalysing" effect in encouraging other MEPs to join the coalition.

The Brittish Telegraph claimed days ago Bulgaria's Dimitar Stoyanov is expected to be a leading light of the Identity, Tradition and Sovereignty Group despite being only 23 and the European Parliament's youngest MEP.

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