In the last weekend, Madrid became the arena of political manifestation that brought together the leaders of the European right, including Viktor Orbán, Marine Le Pen, Geert Wilders and Matteo Salvini. gathering under the heading “Make Europe large Again”, was a clear mention to Donald Trump's politics and its impact on the planet political scene.
Main message? Sovereignty, the fight against the bureaucratic authority of Brussels and opposition to the Green Deal and the migration policy of the European Union.
The Patriots of Europe – a fresh strength on the continent
The Patriots for Europe Group (PfE) is increasing stronger, presently 3rd in the European Parliament with 86 mandates (720). Group leaders do not hide ambition: they want to break the dominance of the centred factions of EPP and S&D and impose a new, more sovereign direction for Europe. As Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán stressed:
"The wave of sovereignty that Trump brought upon his return will besides scope Europe."
These words reflect the spirit of a gathering in which the key concept was “Reconquista” – a mention to the historical conflict of the Christian rulers of Spain to reflect the lands at the hands of Muslims. The same rhetoric was adopted by Geert Wilders, who announced:
“We were heretics yesterday. present we are mainstream... We are the future.”
Brussels as a ‘cage’ and a Green Deal critic
One of the main points of discussion was the excessive bureaucracy of the European Union. Matteo Salvini, leader of the Italian League, powerfully criticized her centralization:
“Europe is not a cage built in Brussels.”
A akin position was taken by Marine Le Pen, who powerfully opposed EU climate policy. In her opinion, more and more entrepreneurs are rebelling against "absurd and suicidal Green Deal euphemisms".
There were besides strong words about migration. Le Pen powerfully opposed the fresh EU Migration Pact:
“The migration policy is out of control, and the bottomless gap of immigration emptys our vaults and fills our prisons.”
Viktor Orbán, who accused Brussels of ‘door opening’ for illegal migrants who "Flashing" Europe.
Trump as the “brother of arms” of European patriots
The Madrid gathering showed not only the increasing national power and anti-immigration right in Europe, but besides their strong ties to Donald Trump's policy. Santiago Abascal, leader of the Spanish Vox party, stressed:
"Patriots will be heroes of the historical triumph of the thought of freedom and sovereignty. Forward, the patriots of Europe, without fear of anyone and nothing!”
Wilders went even further, calling Trump ‘brother of arms’ European sovereigns. However, not all leaders were inclined to uncritically worship Trump. Jordan Bardella, leader of the French National Assembly, noted that:
“like Donald Trump's patriotism does not mean to be a vassal of the United States.”
It is simply a subtle reminder that while the European right is inspired by Trump's movement, its goal is to fight for its own sovereignty – not to submit to America.
The Madrid gathering was not only a demonstration of unity, but besides a announcement of further struggle. As Geert Wilders concluded:
“We are surviving in a historical age, and my message to Macron, Scholz and Sanchez is: your time is up. You are history.”
The National Movement represented Krzysztof Bosak in the Spanish capital.
Patriots for Europe – who are they?
Patriots for Europe (Patriots for Europe, PfE) is simply a dynamic political group with a right-wing and sovereign profile, which rapidly became the 3rd largest force in the European Parliament. It was formed in 2024 as an alternate to dominant factions, including the European People's organization (EPP) and Socialists and Democrats (S&D). Their main nonsubjective is to weaken the centralised power of the European Union, to defend the sovereignty of nations and to defend European cultural identity.
The founders of the faction were parties who previously functioned alone or in another political groups. Viktor Orbán's Fidesz has remained unattached since 2021 after leaving the European People's organization (EPP). ANO 2011 Andreja Babiša previously belonged to the Renew Europe, but left this group after the European Parliament election in 2024. The Austrian Free organization (FPÖ) had previously been part of Identity and Democracy. A press conference was held in Vienna on 30 June 2024, during which the Patriots were announced for Europe. It was attended by Viktor Orbán (Fidesz, Hungary), Andrej Babiš (ANO 2011, Czech Republic), Herbert Kickl (FPÖ, Austria).
Together they signed the paper “Patriotic Manifesto for the Future of Europe”, which defines the key values of the group, specified as:
- weakening the influence of EU bureaucracy,
- strengthening national and cultural identity,
- opposition to illegal immigration,
- Revision of the Green Deal climate policy.
The faction openly opposes excessive EU bureaucracy. The leaders of this group stress that the European nations should have a greater influence on decision-making alternatively than subject to the dictatorship of Brussels. Their aim is to weaken the dominance of the EPP and S&D in key European Parliament votes. Patriots for Europe believe that associate States should have the right to form their own economic, social and migration policies without imposing solutions on them by the European Commission. The word frequently appears in their rhetoric reconquistawhich refers to "recovery" Europe at the hands of globalist elites. The group consistently criticises the EU's climate policy, convincing that the Green Deal destroys European manufacture and jobs. Marine Le Pen, 1 of the leading PfE figures, described the Green Deal as "suicide task imposed by Eurocrats". PfE members believe that migration should be controlled at national alternatively than EU level. They stress that open borders lead to chaos, social problems and increased terrorist threat.
The Patriots for Europe include:
Freedom organization of Austria (Freiheitliche Partei Österreichs, FPÖ) — Austria
Flemish Interest (Vlaams Belang, VB) — Belgium
ANO 2011 (Akce neskoijených občanů, ANO) — Czech Republic
Civil Movement Swears (Přísaha občanské hnutí, Přísaha) Czech Republic
Motorcycles for Himself (Motoristé satě, AUTO) — Czech Republic
Danish People's Party (Dansk Folkeparti, DF) — Denmark
National Unity (Rassemblement National, RN) — France
Voice of Reason (Φωνή Λογικής, ΦΛ) — Greece
Fidesz – Hungarian Civic Union (Fidesz – Magyar Polgári Szövetség, Fidesz) – Hungary
The Christian Democratic People's Party (Kerestény politician Néppárt(KDNP) – Hungary
League (Lega) – Italy
Latvia at First Place (Latvija pirmajā vietā, LPV) — Latvia
Freedom Party (Partij voor de Vrijheid, PVV) — Netherlands
National Movement (National Movement, RN) — Poland
Enough! (Chega!) Portugal
Vox (Vox) Spain
