MADRID — In a significant gathering, Europe’s far-right leaders convened in Madrid on Saturday, marking a bold assertion of their political ambitions following Donald Trump’s recent reelection. Under the rallying cry of “Make Europe Great Again,” the Patriots for Europe party held its inaugural event since its formation after the summer EU elections, showcasing a newfound confidence among conservative factions across the continent.
Key agendas and shared goals
The agenda was as ambitious as it was controversial, with a focus on dismantling green policies, combating Islam, challenging the governance of the Brussels EU, addressing migration, and opposing concepts of gender and family diversity. The rhetoric was fierce, with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán proclaiming, “Our friend Trump, the Trump tornado, has changed the world in just a couple of weeks. An era has ended. Today, everyone sees that we are the future.”
France’s Marine Le Pen echoed this sentiment, suggesting a “global tipping point” as she noted the diminishing presence of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen since Trump’s rise. The attendees, primarily supporters of Spain’s Vox party and other far-right factions, filled a 2,000-seat auditorium at the Marriott Conference Center, eager to hear from prominent leaders including Orbán, Le Pen, Geert Wilders of the Netherlands, Matteo Salvini of Italy, Andrej Babiš from Czechia, and Herbert Kickl from Austria, who joined via video link amid his negotiations to become Austria’s new chancellor.
Challenging the EU’s status quo
One by one, the leaders declared their intentions to “reconquer” European governments from the grip of socialist, liberal, and center-right parties, drawing a historical parallel to Spain’s “Reconquista.” Following his recent electoral triumph in Austria, Kickl asserted that “people everywhere are rising against the impositions of the EU centralists and left-wing ideologies,” promising a new cooperative model rooted in national sovereignty.
Critiques of the EU were plentiful at the gathering, with leaders attributing Europe’s economic and social challenges to the policies of the European Commission. Babiš, a former prime minister, declared, “The Green Deal is dead,” and warned that Brussels’ decisions could lead to economic collapse. Le Pen also lamented the failures of current energy policies, stating, “Industrialists are openly rebelling against absurd and suicidal dictates.”
The topic of immigration was another focal point, with the leaders uniting in their criticism of Brussels over the ongoing influx of migrants. Wilders passionately addressed the crowd, asking, “Do you have enough of crime in Spain? Do you have a lot of Islamic immigration in Spain?” The audience responded with enthusiasm, chanting “Viva España!”
Moreover, the leaders voiced their commitment to defending traditional family structures and values, with Krzysztof Bosak from Poland stating, “We will defend Christianity and traditional values. … We will defend traditional and normal family: mother, father and many children.”
Despite their rallying strength, the Patriots for Europe recognize the challenges ahead. Currently, they hold only 86 seats in the European Parliament, representing the third-largest political force, and only one of the 27 EU member states has a far-right leader. Le Pen noted the potential for collaboration with the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR), suggesting that shared interests could bridge political divides.
Salvini urged the EPP to align with their cause, stating, “You must finally choose. We ask you for the vision and courage to stop collaborating with the socialists and the left in Brussels.” Meanwhile, Santiago Abascal, the leader of Vox and president of the Patriots for Europe, emphasized the importance of uniting with allies across Europe to face common challenges.
Before the rally, these leaders engaged in closed-door discussions, culminating in a gala dinner featuring Kevin Roberts, president of the Heritage Foundation, a prominent conservative think tank in the U.S. This meeting reflects their ongoing efforts to consolidate power and influence in the European political landscape.