CONSERVATIVES GATHER AT EU PARLIAMENT TO “MAKE EUROPE GREAT AGAIN”

The gathering of conservatives at the European Parliament under the banner “Make Europe Great Again” reflects a significant political movement within the EU. This slogan echoes the “Make America Great Again” campaign by former U.S. President Donald Trump, indicating a similar nationalist and conservative approach to EU politics.

• Political Context: The European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group in the European Parliament has been actively promoting a euro-realist agenda, emphasizing national sovereignty and a more conservative approach to EU policies. This gathering can be seen as an attempt to consolidate and possibly expand their influence within the EU’s legislative body.
• Current Political Climate: Recent EU elections have shown a trend towards the right, with conservative and far-right parties gaining seats, although the centrist groups still hold a majority. The EPP, which is the largest group, has indicated openness to working with more conservative elements like the ECR, which might signal a shift in EU policy-making towards more conservative ideologies.
• Event and Participants: The event in Brussels, as mentioned in posts on X, involved prominent conservative and sovereigntist leaders, intellectuals, and influencers from around the world, suggesting a broad coalition or at least a show of unity among conservative forces in Europe and beyond. This could be aimed at influencing EU policy or public opinion towards more conservative, nationalist stances.
• Goals and Messages: The conference’s messages, as shared by participants, include a return to “common sense” in EU policy, strengthening ties with the USA, defending free speech, and emphasizing the strength of sovereign nations within the EU. These themes align with the broader conservative critique of what they perceive as overreach by EU institutions and a push for policies that prioritize national interests.

This gathering underscores ongoing debates within the European Union about its direction, the balance between national sovereignty and EU integration, and the political spectrum’s shift towards conservatism in response to various internal and external pressures.