The national-conservative party Patriots for Europe, which operates as the political organisation of the European Parliament’s Patriots for Europe (PfE) group, convened its inaugural general assembly in Paris last weekend. During the event, members elected Santiago Abascal, the leader of Spain’s VOX party, as the group’s new president.
Addressing attendees on November 16th, Abascal outlined the coalition’s ambitions: “The patriotic and sovereigntist forces of Europe have a monumental task ahead: restoring freedom, sovereignty, prosperity, and security for Europeans while safeguarding our borders.” He expressed optimism about the coalition’s future, declaring, “Together, we will succeed. The winds of change are sweeping across the West, and the future belongs to patriots.”
A Rising Force in the European Parliament
Following the European elections in June, Patriots for Europe secured its place as the third-largest bloc in the European Parliament. With 86 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), the group stands as the largest conservative alliance, surpassing other right-leaning coalitions. This position solidifies its claim as the “main opposition party” to the dominant globalist factions—the European People’s Party (EPP) and the Socialists & Democrats (S&D).
In a statement, Patriots for Europe emphasised that under Abascal’s leadership, the bloc seeks to strengthen its role as a counterweight to the traditional EPP-socialist coalition in Parliament. The group aims to consolidate an “alternative majority” to champion its conservative vision of Europe.
Santiago Abascal, who has led VOX since 2014, has played a pivotal role in transforming it into one of Spain’s leading political forces. A press release from the website of Patriots for Europe highlighted the significance of his leadership, noting that Abascal’s international relationships would foster collaboration among sovereigntist leaders to defend freedom, prosperity, and national identity.
The general assembly also saw the election of key officials to support the coalition’s agenda. Kinga Gál, a Hungarian MEP from Fidesz, was chosen as the party’s vice president, while Catherine Griset from France’s National Rally (RN) assumed the role of treasurer.
Patriots.eu also welcomed new member parties, including Ruch Narodowy from Poland and two Czech groups, Motoriste Sobe and Prisaha, expanding its membership to 15 parties from 13 European nations. Prominent members of the coalition include the Hungary’s Fidesz, Dutch Party for Freedom (PVV), Italy’s Lega, France’s National Rally, Austria’s FPÖ, Belgium’s Vlaams Belang, and Portugal’s Chega.
The coalition reiterated its core mission: protecting the sovereignty of EU member states and resisting centralisation efforts by the European Commission. PfE opposes the formation of a “European superstate” and advocates for policies that prioritise national interests.
One of the group’s key focus areas is migration. They have proposed opt-out mechanisms for EU states that wish to exempt themselves from the European Migration Pact, which mandates the distribution of migrants across member states. Both Hungary and the Netherlands have formally requested opt-outs, but EU officials have so far resisted, fearing the move could encourage similar actions from other countries.
Orbán’s Emphasis on Unity and Patriotism
Prime Minister Orbán, a keynote speaker, stressed the importance of safeguarding patriotism and strengthening Europe’s independence. He began by acknowledging Marine Le Pen’s efforts in hosting the event and congratulated Abascal on assuming leadership of PfE.
Orbán linked recent political developments in the United States to broader trends in Western democracies, highlighting Donald Trump’s re-election bid as indicative of a growing patriotic majority. “Patriots now hold a decisive influence across the Western world,” he asserted, suggesting a global shift toward national sovereignty and conservative values.
Lessons from the U.S. Political Landscape
Orbán outlined key lessons from the U.S. elections, emphasising the resilience required to counteract what he termed as aggressive leftist tactics. He argued that the left employs legal, moral, and political strategies to suppress opposing viewpoints and leaders, citing cases involving Matteo Salvini, Marine Le Pen, and Herbert Kickl.
Despite these challenges, Orbán encouraged conservatives to draw inspiration from victories achieved under adverse conditions, noting that such successes often highlight the left’s governance failures. He underscored the need for bold leadership, stating: “New times demand new measures. We must articulate our stance with clarity and conviction.”
The Prime Minister of Hungary also pointed to a significant ideological shift, asserting that the political centre has moved closer to conservative positions. He highlighted the PfE as a voice of transformation within the EU, currently the third-largest political force in the European Parliament. If national elections trend favourably, he predicted that PfE could emerge as the leading faction by the term’s end.
In his address, Orban also criticised globalist policies, including immigration and progressive social ideologies. Referencing Donald Trump’s firm stance on immigration, he called for unambiguous policies rejecting mass migration and gender ideologies, positioning these as vital to preserving Europe’s identity and security.
Optimism for the Future
Concluding his speech, Orbán expressed optimism about the rise of patriotic movements. He described the current period as a pivotal chapter for sovereignty, urging preparedness among conservative leaders to implement a shared vision for Europe. “We have the ideas, the goals, and the strategy. Now, we must act decisively to make them a reality,” he concluded.
Abascal’s leadership comes at a critical juncture. In his speech in Paris, the newly elected president Abascal said that “so far only the enemies of all the beautiful, which is the love of our homeland, our freedom, our traditions, families, have worked together.” Therefore, he argued, the only response can be a united front: “We have a duty to promote a total and global response to globalism… the good must be united.”
His words reflect the broader mission of Patriots for Europe: to counterbalance the growing centralisation of power within the European Union and to challenge the dominance of establishment political blocs like the Socialists and Democrats (S&D) and the European People’s Party (EPP).
Abascal’s focus on sovereignty and tradition resonates deeply with the movement’s supporters. In his speech, he underscored the importance of defending national identity against what he termed the “ruinous ideologies” of wokeness and unchecked globalism.
The formation of Patriots for Europe represents a significant shift in European politics. Unlike fragmented efforts of the past, this coalition seeks to present a cohesive alternative to the existing power structures in Brussels. By uniting parties from diverse backgrounds under a shared vision, it demonstrates a commitment to collaboration while respecting the sovereignty of individual member states.
The alliance’s growing influence is evident. Following the recent European elections, Patriots for Europe became the third-largest group in the Parliament, marking a major victory for conservative forces. This success is not just numerical—it’s symbolic of a broader ideological shift across Europe. As Abascal remarked, “The winds of change are blowing across the West: the future belongs to patriots.” Patriots for Europe’s emergence is actually part of a larger conservative resurgence sweeping across the continent. This is why Viktor Orbán, a key ally within the coalition, added, praising Abascal’s leadership, declaring, “We don’t represent Brussels bureaucrats; we represent the European people.”
However, the path forward is fraught with challenges. The coalition faces opposition from entrenched political elites and bureaucratic institutions in Brussels. Abascal highlighted this resistance, referencing efforts to undermine leaders like Viktor Orbán and Matteo Salvini through financial and legal pressures. He warned, “They want to steal the voice of Europeans… attacking their most popular leaders.”
The Road Ahead: Building a New Europe
As Patriots for Europe solidifies its presence in the European Parliament, its leaders are focused on translating their vision into tangible policies. From opposing overreach by the European Commission to promoting economic competitiveness, the coalition aims to redefine the EU’s trajectory.
The coalition’s growing influence is already being felt. With members like Hungary’s Fidesz and Italy’s Lega leading the charge, Patriots for Europe is poised to shape key debates on migration, energy policy, and economic reform. By presenting a united front, the group has the potential to challenge the dominance of traditional power blocs and advocate for a more balanced and sovereign Europe. Patriots for Europe is more than a political alliance—it’s a movement rooted in the aspirations of millions of Europeans who seek a return to sovereignty, tradition, and self-determination. It has a unique opportunity to redefine the European project—one that honours the distinct identities of its member states while fostering a spirit of cooperation and mutual respect.
