In Madrid, a gathering of Europe’s far-right political leaders took place, where they expressed admiration for Donald Trump and echoed his campaign slogan, declaring their desire to “Make Europe Great Again.” The event, organized by the Spanish far-right party Vox, brought together prominent figures such as Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, Italy’s Deputy Premier Matteo Salvini, French National Rally leader Marine Le Pen, and Geert Wilders, founder of the Netherlands’ PVV party. These leaders, who have long been critical of the European Union and its policies, saw the meeting as an opportunity to rally support for their vision of a more nationalist and conservative Europe. The tone of the event was triumphant, with Orbán hailing Trump’s return to power as a turning point, stating that their once-fringe ideas had now entered the mainstream.
The rally, attended by around 2,000 supporters waving Spanish flags, featured fiery speeches that targeted familiar far-right adversaries, including immigration, leftist ideologies, migrant rescue NGOs, and “wokeism.” The names of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez were met with loud jeers, reflecting the group’s deep-seated opposition to centrist and progressive policies. Speakers also invoked the idea of a “Reconquista,” a term that draws on the historical Christian reconquest of the Iberian Peninsula from Muslim rule, to frame their modern-day struggle against perceived threats to European identity. This rhetoric was not merely symbolic; it was a call to action, urging supporters to reclaim Europe from what they perceive as encroaching external influences and internal decay.
Despite the rally’s focus on unity, there were moments of tension, particularly when Salvini and Vox leader Santiago Abascal downplayed the economic risks posed by Trump’s threat to impose high tariffs on European imports. Instead, they argued that the greater threat to Europe’s prosperity lay in EU policies, such as the Green Deal, which they claimed stifled economic growth. Salvini also seized the opportunity to criticize Germany’s current government, labeling it the most disastrous since World War II and calling for a shift in direction ahead of Germany’s upcoming election. His remarks were part of a broader effort to position the far-right as the solution to Europe’s problems, whether economic, cultural, or political.
The two-day event was not without disruption. During the opening speech by former Estonian Finance Minister Martin Helme, a topless activist from the feminist group Femen stormed the stage, chanting “Not one step back against fascism” in Spanish before being escorted away. This interruption underscored the polarizing nature of the gathering and the passions it aroused, both among supporters and opponents. Yet, the rally’s organizers remained undeterred, using the event to amplify their core message: that Europe’s borders must be defended against illegal immigration, a theme reiterated by every speaker. Despite data from the EU’s border control agency Frontex showing a sharp decline in irregular border crossings in 2024, the issue remained a rallying cry for the far-right, which continues to frame migration as an existential threat.
Le Pen, a key figure in the event, emphasized the growing influence of the far-right in European politics, noting that her Patriots for Europe group now holds 84 seats in the European Parliament. She also suggested that the far-right was uniquely positioned to engage with the new Trump administration, given their shared priorities. However, not all far-right parties in Europe have embraced this coalition. Influential groups like Italy’s Brothers of Italy, led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, as well as Germany’s Alternative for Germany (AfD) and Poland’s Law and Justice party, have opted not to join the Patriots for Europe group, despite their ideological alignment. This fragmentation highlights the challenges of uniting Europe’s far-right under a single banner, even as they celebrate their growing electoral success.
The gathering in Madrid was met with sharp criticism from Spain’s ruling Socialist Party, which dismissed the event as a “coven of ultras” and vowed to resist their “black-and-white worldview.” The party’s statement reflected the broader backlash against the far-right’s vision for Europe, which many see as divisive and regressive. Yet, for the leaders and supporters in attendance, the rally was a testament to the momentum of their movement, which they believe is on the cusp of transforming European politics. As the far-right continues to gain ground in countries like Germany, where the AfD is polling second ahead of this month’s election, the stakes for Europe’s future could not be higher. The Madrid rally served as a reminder that the battle for Europe’s identity is far from over, and the outcome will shape the continent for generations to come.
