The ghost of MAGA roams Europe. The new far-right party Patriots for Europe, which includes populists Viktor Orbán and Marine Le Pen, is preparing to hold a rally in Madrid. According to sources POLITICAL, the event is scheduled for February 8 under the slogan “Let’s make Europe great again” is a clear appeal to Trump’s rhetoric, which inspired this political force.
Ideological basis and key messages of the party
“Patriots for Europe” was created by Orbán after the elections to the European Parliament last June, with the aim of uniting the EU’s far-right and increasing their influence on the politics of Brussels. The organization has an annual budget of 5 million euros and already collected under its banner 87 MEPs (more than 12% of the composition of the European Parliament), becoming the third largest group in the European Parliament.
Although only Orbán represents the “Patriots” in the European Council, the situation may change due to political changes in the Eurozone. In Austria, the far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ) is in talks to form a coalition government, and its leader Herbert Kickl has ambitions to become chancellor. Meanwhile, in France, Le Pen’s popularity continues to grow, and she has a high chance of winning the 2027 presidential election. At the same time, the Czech ANO party, led by former Prime Minister Andrej Babis, is actively preparing for parliamentary elections in October, hoping to gain control of the government. Thus, “Patriots for Europe” are rapidly strengthening their positions, and the political landscape of Europe may change significantly in the coming years.
“Patriots for Europe” unites nationalist and far-right parties of the entire eurozone. The ideology of this political force is based on Euroscepticism, national sovereignty and restriction of migration. Party members are in favor of reducing the centralization of power in the EU, giving priority to the independence of national states in decision-making. They are in favor of a strict anti-immigration policy, emphasizing the need to protect national borders and cultural identity. As for the European Union, PZE is in favor of reforming its institutions in order to return most of the powers to national governments.
Of cooperation with NATO and the USA, the positions of party members may differ, but in general the party takes a skeptical position, defending the idea of an independent European defense policy.
The difference of “Patriots for Europe” from other right-wing movements lies in their desire to create a united front at the European level, uniting various nationalist parties to jointly influence EU policy. This allows them to have greater influence in the European Parliament and promote joint initiatives aimed at reforming the EU in accordance with their ideological beliefs.
Is Viktor Orban really the new leader of the European far-right?
The Hungarian prime minister has always wanted more than just governing Hungary. Its goal is to destroy the liberal order of the EU and create a new one based on the principles of hard nationalism, restrictions on migration and authoritarian rule.
Orbán did not just initiate the creation of “Patriots for Europe” – he was forced to do it. His Fidesz party has long balanced between right-wing populists and Euro-conservatives, but in 2021 it was expelled from the European People’s Party, isolating Orbán in the political arena of Brussels.
Left without a party roof, he understood: if the extreme right of Europe is not united, his influence will gradually come to nothing. Therefore, after the elections to the European Parliament in 2024, he decided to create a new coalition that would be able to impose its own rules of the game on Europe.
In a sense, “Patriots for Europe” is a response to his fear that Brussels will continue to tighten control over EU member states, depriving them of their national independence. Orban wants to build a Europe where each government makes decisions independently, without looking back at the “dictation” of the European Commission. His policies are based on the authoritarian model of government he experienced in Hungary: control over the media, severe restrictions on the rights of civil society, promotion of traditional values and struggle with liberal ideas.
Orbán’s political experience in Hungary can be divided into three main pillars: the primacy of national sovereignty, a tough anti-immigration policy, conservatism and the fight against liberal ideology. The main slogan of Orbán and “Patriots for Europe” is that Brussels should not dictate the rules. EU countries must themselves pass laws on the economy, judiciary and human rights.
Back in 2015, Orbán built a wall on the border with Serbia to stop the flow of refugees. Now his allies in France, Austria and Italy want to spread this practice to all of Europe.
In Hungary, Orbán banned LGBT propaganda and took control of independent universities. Currently, “Patriots for Europe” want to make such restrictions the norm for the entire continent.
However, despite his influence, the question remains: is Orbán really the undisputed leader of this alliance? After all, the strongest contender for the role of the main figure of the alliance is Marine Le Pen. If the latter wins the 2027 presidential elections, she will be able to dictate the political course of the entire alliance.
Another contender for the role of leader is Herbert Kickle. His FPÖ party has a chance to lead the Austrian government, which will significantly strengthen the “Patriots for Europe”. He is in favor of easing sanctions against Russia and a radical anti-immigration policy.
A representative of more pragmatic populism is Andrey Babish, which seeks to regain power after the Czech Republic’s elections this October. He has strong financial resources, which can make him an influential figure in the alliance. Finally, Matteo Salvini (Italy, “Liga”), although he has lost political weight, is still a player on the far-right field.
Will Orbán be able to maintain control over the alliance, or will others take up his initiative? This issue will be resolved at the next elections in key European countries.
Sources of funding of the “Patriots” and influence on the balance of power in the European Parliament
The PEE budget is 5 million euros per year. Although specific sources of funding are not disclosed, it is known that the party includes political forces previously suspected of ties to pro-Russian structures. In particular, the leader of the French “National Association” Le Pen suspected in the illegal financing of her 2022 presidential campaign.
PZE also maintains contacts with international right-wing movements, in particular, the Italian “League” of Salvini, which joined to Orbán’s group in the European Parliament. Although there is no direct evidence of ties with pro-Russian structures, some experts point to the possible influence of international right-wing movements and individuals, in particular, Stephen Bannon.
The party plans to use its financial resources to conduct campaigns and strengthen its presence in European institutions and organize rallies like the one planned in Madrid on February 8.Let’s make Europe great again”.
With increase the number of seats of far-right parties in the parliament, “Patriots for Europe” can influence the adoption of legislative decisions and the formation of the agenda. Although they do not have an absolute majority, their influence can be decisive in matters where coalition support is needed. Countries with strong nationalist movements may become their allies, while states with liberal governments are likely to oppose their initiatives.
Despite the fact that the far right currently does not control key positions in the EU, its growth is becoming a serious threat to European unity. Their nationalist and Eurosceptic positions may lead to the strengthening of internal divisions and the undermining of common EU policies. Brussels is already losing its influence on the countries of Central Europe, and if France and Austria join them, it could be the beginning of the collapse of the current political order.
One of the possible consequences is the blocking or easing of sanctions against Russia. Some far-right parties are open sympathize Moscow and are advocating the resumption of cooperation with it, which could undermine the EU’s common position regarding Russian aggression in Ukraine. In addition, the growing influence of the far-right can lead to attenuation support of Ukraine.
Marine Le Pen has already spoken about the need to “reassess” the sanctions, which allegedly harm the European economy more than Russia itself. Viktor Orban regularly blocks decisions on military aid to Ukraine. The far-right in Austria advocates neutrality in the war, which actually means distancing itself from support for Kyiv.
Their skepticism about the enlargement of the EU and NATO, as well as their desire for isolationism, may reduce the level of political and economic assistance that the EU provides to Ukraine.
In extreme cases, the strengthening of far-right sentiments can provoke the exit of certain countries from the EU. Nationalist parties often oppose supranational structures and call for the return of sovereignty. The idea of leaving the European Union, which seemed distant after the painful Brexit, is gaining popularity again. French far-rights, Hungarian nationalists, Austrian radicals and Czech populists all oppose the centralization of power in Brussels. And if earlier these parties worked in isolation, now they act together, forming a front against the European establishment.
The 2027 elections in France could become a turning point. If Le Pen wins the presidency, Paris may begin to block EU political initiatives, review its financial contributions to the union and even toy with the idea of Frexit – France’s exit from the EU. Orbán’s Hungary and Austria under potential Chancellor Herbert Kikl may follow the same path.
Brussels and traditional pro-European parties are aware of these threats and are trying to counter the rise of the far right. They strengthen information campaigns aimed at increasing citizens’ awareness of the benefits of European integration, and work to solve socio-economic problems that are often used by the far right to gain support.
However, the effectiveness of these measures depends on the ability of the EU to adapt to new challenges and ensure a balance between the national interests of the member states and common European values.
The European Union is at a crossroads. On the one hand – the idea of unity, which for decades was built on the principles of cooperation and solidarity. On the other hand, there is a new wave of nationalism that threatens to tear this union apart. “Patriots for Europe” already declares itself as the third most powerful political group in the European Parliament. Will this movement be the beginning of the end for the EU in its current form?
If this alliance gets more seats in the European Parliament, and its representatives come to power in some countries, the risk of a change of course towards Ukraine will become more than real. This could mean a reduction in military aid, the lifting of certain sanctions, or even a diplomatic rapprochement with Moscow.
Traditional European parties are aware of the threat. Attempts are being made to unite the center-left and centrists to counter the far-right. The European Commission is planning tougher measures against violations of democratic norms in countries that seek to weaken EU unity.
But the main problem is the trust of voters. Many EU citizens are frustrated with traditional politics, Brussels bureaucracy and economic instability. “Patriots for Europe” plays on these sentiments. If the EU does not find a way to effectively respond to the challenges, the far-right movement will only gain momentum.
The European Union is experiencing the biggest ideological crisis in recent decades. “Patriots for Europe” not only threaten its unity, but also offer an alternative model – a Europe of independent states, where Brussels no longer has a decisive voice.
Does this mean the beginning of the end of the EU in its current form? Could this crisis be an impetus for reforms that will allow the union to survive and adapt to new challenges? The answer will depend on the coming years – and how far the new far-right alliance will go.
…For a deeper understanding of the current political situation in Europe, in the following material we will consider forecasts for the upcoming elections in key countries, possible risks and challenges for Ukraine, we will analyze how “Patriots for Europe” acquire the features of European Trumpism and how their political opponents react to this , and we will also examine the role of social networks and alternative media in the promotion of this party.
Tetyana Viktorova
