Madrid – The term “Reconquest” resonated strongly at the inaugural Patriots summit held in Madrid this Saturday, where leaders of the European far-right articulated their belief that Donald Trump’s success in the United States signifies the emergence of a new Europe—one that is Christian, conservative, and free from immigration.
Though Trump was neither present nor sent a message, his influence was palpable at the event, which was themed “MEGA” (Make Europe Great Again)—a nod to Trump’s own slogan. His European counterparts referred to him as a “brother-in-arms” throughout the summit.
“The Trump tornado has transformed the world in just weeks, marking the end of an era. Yesterday, we were deemed heretics. They labeled us the past, but today everyone recognizes that we are the future,” proclaimed Viktor Orbán, Prime Minister of Hungary, in his address.
Orbán is one of the founding members of Patriots for Europe, which has emerged as a significant force in the European Parliament. The coalition also includes notable figures such as Santiago Abascal, head of Spain’s Vox party, Marine Le Pen from France, Italy’s Matteo Salvini, and Portugal’s André Ventura.
At the summit, attended by over 2,000 supporters, these leaders criticized the European Union, championed nationalism, and opposed immigration, the “green pact,” and gender diversity, highlighting key tenets of their unified European agenda.
Waving Spanish and Vox flags, attendees chanted phrases like “Long live Spain” and “Long live the Europe of the Patriots,” applauding their ultra-nationalist leaders. The atmosphere was briefly disrupted by a Femen activist who entered the venue shouting, “not one step more to fascism,” while protesting in the nude.
The Trump Tornado and Criticisms of Brussels
For Orbán, the “Trump tornado” heralds a new era for the far-right in Europe, while Marine Le Pen asserts that his victory represents a “real global change.” Abascal echoed this sentiment, urging for a “reconquest” and the need to capitalize on the current opportunities.
In Abascal’s words, Trump is a “comrade-in-arms in the fight for good and freedom,” although he clarified that “we are not looking for a savior in another country, much less an emperor.”
“It is clear that something has shifted” following Trump’s win, while “the European Union appears to be in a state of paralysis,” Le Pen observed.
Le Pen noted that “all the lights are red in Brussels,” criticizing the EU for lacking a political vision and instead focusing on moral issues.
Matteo Salvini urged European leaders to take cues from Trump, suggesting that they should “question institutions like the International Criminal Court, which equates Islamic terrorists with democratically elected leaders like (Benjamin) Netanyahu.”
For a Christian Europe without Immigrants
Criticism of Europe’s migration policies was a recurrent theme during the summit, with frequent references to the historical “reconquest” and expulsion of Islam.
Orbán condemned Brussels for permitting the entry of nine million migrants over the past decade, staunchly defending his country’s “zero tolerance” policy: “Crossing the border without permission is a crime in my country.”
He further stated, “We have enshrined in our Constitution the obligation of state powers to defend Christian culture,” emphasizing that “a mother is a woman and a father is a man.”
According to Abascal, the members of Patriots share “very close” bonds, particularly in terms of “border security, as high fences make good neighbors.”
Le Pen claimed that “migration policy is out of control, draining our resources and filling our prisons.”
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