The popularity of right-wing populist parties has significantly increased in Europe in the last two decades. As a consequence, the impact of their discourse on national identity has also grown as these parties have progressively acquired stronger platforms for the dissemination of their ideas. In this context, the aim of the present research is to analyze and compare how national identity is constructed in the discourse of two European right-wing populist leaders, Viktor Orbán in Hungary and Matteo Salvini in Italy, and identify the mechanisms used by these figures for the dismantlement of multiple belonging in identity as well as the main social implications of this process in terms of exclusion and development. The present work uses Critical Discourse Analysis methods and theories to identify the discursive elements through which national identity and belonging are constructed by the right-wing populist parties. When contrasting the main messages conveyed by these parties regarding identity and belonging with globally agreed principles for human development, the evidence shows that the non-recognition of intersectional identities contributes to the exclusion of minorities and the legitimization of violence towards them, undermining their right to development.The popularity of right-wing populist parties has significantly increased in Europe in the last two decades. As a consequence, the impact of their discourse on national identity has also grown as these parties have progressively acquired stronger platforms for the dissemination of their ideas. In this context, the aim of the present research is to analyze and compare how national identity is constructed in the discourse of two European right-wing populist leaders, Viktor Orbán in Hungary and Matteo Salvini in Italy, and identify the mechanisms used by these figures for the dismantlement of multiple belonging in identity as well as the main social implications of this process in terms of exclusion and development. The present work uses Critical Discourse Analysis methods and theories to identify the discursive elements through which national identity and belonging are constructed by the right-wing populist parties. When contrasting the main messages conveyed by these parties regarding identity and belonging with globally agreed principles for human development, the evidence shows that the non-recognition of intersectional identities contributes to the exclusion of minorities and the legitimization of violence towards them, undermining their right to development.