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Copyright Paul White/Copyright 2025 The AP. All rights reserved
At a high-profile summit in Madrid, leaders of the far-right Patriots for Europe (PfE) movement have declared their intent to challenge the EU’s mainstream political establishment. Under the slogan “Make Europe Great Again,” they are positioning themselves as the alternative to the Socialists, Liberals, and European People’s Party (EPP), aiming for dominance in Brussels and beyond.
The event, attended by approximately 2,000 supporters, saw influential figures such as Geert Wilders of the Netherlands’ PVV, Marine Le Pen of France’s Rassemblement National, and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán rally for a shift in Europe’s political direction. The message was clear: the era of centrist governance in the EU is over.
A ‘Reconquest’ of Europe
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(Right wing European leaders gathering in Madrid)
(Picture:https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/right-wing-european-parties-gather-in-madrid-to-discuss-make-europe-great-again-/3475501)
Santiago Abascal, leader of Spain’s VOX party and the newly appointed head of PfE, called for a resurgence of national sovereignty and traditional values. Echoing the rhetoric of U.S. President Donald Trump, PfE leaders vowed to push back against what they describe as overreach by the EU’s institutions.
“We are living in a historic moment,” said Wilders. “The old leaders—Macron, Scholz, Sanchez—are part of the past. Their time is over.”
André Ventura, leader of Portugal’s Chega party, reinforced the movement’s ideology, stating, “We have to do what Trump has told us: fight, fight, fight. We have to reconquer a Europe that belongs to us. A Christian Europe.”
Building a Political Powerhouse
PfE currently holds 89 seats in the European Parliament, making it the third-largest group after the EPP and the Socialists and Democrats (S&D). However, its leaders are now focusing on securing power in national governments, with a long-term goal of influencing EU decision-making at the highest levels. Currently, Viktor Orbán is the only PfE-aligned leader in the European Council, representing Hungary.
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(Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban adresses the media during the annual international press conference in Budapest (AP))
Petr Macinka of Czechia’s Motorists for Themselves party underscored the group’s economic stance. “We need a return to realistic policies based on a free market and strong nation-states,” he said. Czech politician Andrej Babiš also criticized existing EU policies, arguing that excessive regulations are harming European competitiveness.
Petr Macinka of Czechia’s Motorists for Themselves party underscored the group’s economic stance. “We need a return to realistic policies based on a free market and strong nation-states,” he said. Czech politician Andrej Babiš also criticized existing EU policies, arguing that excessive regulations are harming European competitiveness.
Transatlantic and Global Alliances
The Madrid summit also highlighted the movement’s international ambitions. American conservative think tank leader Kevin Roberts (The Heritage Foundation) attended the event, while video messages were delivered by Venezuelan opposition figure María Corina Machado and Argentina’s President Javier Milei.
Spanish MEP Jorge Buxadé of VOX emphasized the movement’s expanding network. “Patriots is a transatlantic party,” he said. “We are not just looking to the U.S. but also to Latin America. VOX plays a key role in bridging these connections.”
The Road Ahead
With European Parliament elections approaching, PfE leaders are sharpening their message and strategy. They have set their sights on dismantling the EU’s Green Deal, tightening migration policies, and reshaping European governance to align with their vision.
“This is not just about the future—we are the future,” Buxadé declared.
As traditional parties brace for electoral battles, one thing is clear: Europe’s political landscape is shifting, and the Patriots for Europe movement is determined to be at the forefront of that change.