Europe's Conservative Surge: A Turning Point for Nationalism

The Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Poland and Hungary has drawn significant attention from right-wing leaders, positioning them to reassert their influence in Europe. With national elections approaching, speakers at the event emphasized their vision for a new Europe rooted in nationalism, while highlighting the challenges faced by conservative movements amidst shifting demographics and rising liberalism.

In a moment described as crucial for the rise of nationalist sentiment in Europe, large gatherings associated with the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) took place in Poland and Hungary. These developments coincide with Poland's presidential election run-off set for Sunday, where nationalist Karol Nawrocki, aligned with CPAC, faces off against liberal Mayor of Warsaw, Rafal Trzaskowski in what CPAC speakers characterize as a “battle for Western civilisation.”

Traditionally a hub for American conservative activists, CPAC’s influence is buoyed by Donald Trump's return to the White House and the dominance of the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement within the Republican Party. Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban, addressing the event in Budapest as the opening speaker, praised Trump as a "truth serum" and painted a vision for a new European narrative he dubs "the Age of Patriots." This framework emphasizes nationalism, traditional family structure, and his unique interpretation of Christianity.

Speakers at the event mirrored Orban's sentiments, criticizing the EU's Green Deal while voicing concerns about immigration and what they termed "gender and woke madness". The atmosphere bristled with energy, as a mixture of disco music, visuals, and dynamic hosts animated the congress hall. Orban asserted, "Europeans do not feel safe in their own towns, homes, and countries," suggesting that current circumstances lead to a feeling of being outsiders in their own land.

Among attendees were prominent figures such as Alice Weidel from Germany's far-right AfD and Geert Wilders from the Netherlands' Freedom Party. Their narratives align in seeking to reshape the European project with a distinctive form of conservatism that dismisses established EU liberalism. Other notable attendees included former British Prime Minister Liz Truss, Australian ex-PM Tony Abbott, and former leaders from Poland and the Czech Republic.

During the Polish conference, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem firmly voiced support for Nawrocki, suggesting that out of a victory could come strengthened ties with the U.S. Following the encouragement of a leader who collaborates with Trump, she presented a vision of continued American military presence and support in Poland.

The burgeoning MAGA movement in Europe, locally termed Mega (Make Europe Great Again), exudes confidence yet has faced recent electoral challenges. For instance, liberal Mayer Nicusor Dan recently secured a presidential win in Romania, while nationalist candidate Sali Berisha faltered in Albania's parliamentary elections. Concerns for Orban's grip on power also surface, as Hungary prepares for parliamentary elections in April 2024.

Tensions continue to simmer around unity within the European nationalist movement, with disagreements related to Ukraine and Russia emerging as significant fault lines. Notably absent from the Budapest event was Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Meanwhile, Orban received disappointing news about Hungary's fertility rate, which has dropped to levels nearly matching those from 2010, despite a decade and a half of incentivizing policies to encourage childbearing.

As the gatherings wrapped up, a palpable sense of excitement surrounded the anticipated political outcome in Poland, suggesting that the path ahead for Europe’s conservative movements may be both promising and precarious.