Two of Europe's best-known far-right politicians have formed what they call a "historic" alliance for next year's European elections that critics say aims and could paralyze the EU.
French Front National (FN) leader Marine Le Pen and Dutch politician Geert Wilders, best-known for his anti-Islam campaign, say they have agreed to repatriate powers from what they call "the monster in Brussels."
"The time of patriotic movements being divided is over," said Le Pen, calling it "an historic day".
"Today is the start of the liberation of Europe from the monster of Brussels," said Wilders.
Both their parties have been enjoying a surge in popularity after suffering drops in previous years.
The two met in the Hague and according to reports agreed to form a far-right caucus in the European Parliament after next May's elections. To do so they would need 25 MEPs from seven member states. According to polls conducted around the continent, far-right parties are on the rise and it is likely that, at least on paper, more than enough anti-Europe MEPs will be elected than in any previous European election.
Recognition as an official political group in the European Parliament gives group members EU subsidies, offices, assistants and seats on parliamentary committees.
They could be joined in their efforts by delegates from parties like Greece's Golden Dawn, whose leaders are currently in jail for running a criminal gang following the murder of an anti-fascism activist and rapper, Pavlos Fyssas, by a self-confessed supporters.
Correspondents, like the Guardian's Ian Traynor, have been reporting that the eventual aim of the far-right duo is to "wreck" the EU from within by using their parliamentary power to paralyse the Union.
For months EU Commissioners and leaders have been issuing warnings that "anti-everything" parties are on the rise and urging political elites across the continent to react.
Now it appears that developments may turn out worse than they thought. Traditionally nationalist parties have remained independent of each other. But it appears that the economic crisis and the continuing waves of immigration within and outside the EU have provided these nation-centric parties a transnational platform for cooperation.
Nowadays all EU countries are destinations for the world's disadvantaged looking for a brighter future. Meanwhile Brussels appears equally hated in countries that are being forced to put their finances in order under the watchful glare, and occassionally forceful hand, of the troika (the Commission and the ECB make up two thirds of an entity that is fast becoming unpopular all-around) and their richer, fellow-EU creditors.
In recent days, even Germany's current account surplus has come under EU scrutiny as it might be harming other European economies.
Under these circumstances it is not difficult to see that Le Pen's words could carry resonance in members states that are facing entirely different realities.
"We want to give freedom back to our people," said Le Pen. "Our old European nations are forced to ask the authorisation of Brussels in all circumstances, forced to submit their budget to the headmistress."
Wilders acknowledged that the UK's Independence Party (UKIP), led by Nigel Farage, was not yet willing to join the new alliance but appears to have hopes that British Eurosceptics will change their mind.
"I understand that he [Mr Farage] is not too eager today to work with my party, but let me tell you, I hope after next year's elections he will be able to join in our initiative," Wilders said.
Other possible allies could possibly be found in Austria's Freedom Party (FPOe), Italy's Northern League, Vlaams Belang in Belgium, the Sweden Democrats or the Danish People's Party.