A farmer stands near a fire as farmer gather as part of the nationwide protests against agricultural policies in Plouisy, Western France on 20 February 2024.

When Green Dreams Meet Peasant Schemes

‘The protests today, like the Peasants’ War, are not merely about specific policy grievances but represent a broader disillusionment with political and economic systems that seem increasingly out of touch with the needs and values of significant portions of the population. Both movements illustrate how new social forces can galvanize widespread action, pushing societies to a tipping point where change becomes inevitable.’

Invasion of the Barbarians by Ulpiano Checa (1887)

‘That never happens in Hungary.’ True — But for How Long?

‘The fact that Hungary has to fight like hell for its right to be normal is a sign of the times. So is the fact that in America, as in almost every Western country, the borders are a fiction, our heroes are hated, our free speech is taken away from us, scientists proclaim the desirability of sculpting the genitals of children into works of art—and these things barely make news. We have grown accustomed to decadence.’

Dan Schneider Talks Super Tuesday at Center for Fundamental Rights

The president of MRC Free Speech America reminded that the only criminal charges of the many against President Trump that have any legal merit are the ones related to mishandling classified information. However, it is actually common for Presidents to keep some classified documents in their private residences from their times in office: even Joe Biden did so after leaving the Vice Presidency, yet he was never charged. Mr Schneider also opined that we would not see a criminal trial of Donald Trump before the election, as by the time the Supreme Court hands down its ruling on his immunity case, there would be no time to put him on trial before 5 November.

Italian deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini (3rdR) stands on stage with German co-leader of Alternative for Germany (AfD) Tino Chrupalla (2ndR), member of the Austrian Freedom Party (FPOe) Harald Vilimsky (4thR), Head of Czech Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) Tomio Okamura (5thR) and the head of Bulgarian party Revival, Kostadin Kostadinov at the end of a convention of the EP leaders of the ID on 3 December 2023 at the Fortezza da Basso in Florence.

Populism, Conservatism and Europe’s Electoral Politics: The Post-Covid Dilemmas of the European Right

‘2023 in fact demonstrated, if demonstration were needed, that a deep social, political, and ideological cleavage now divides electorates across Europe, separating progressive, educated, urban, middle class and younger voters from the alienated rural, working class and older conservative voters living outside the fashionable urban centres. This cleavage was dramatically evident in election results in Spain, Slovakia, Poland, and Holland in the course of 2023.’

Demonizing Viktor Orbán: Manfred Weber in Vicious Campaign Mode

As the European Parliament elections approach, Manfred Weber, President of the European People’s Party, has entered campaign mode, with a focus on demonizing Viktor Orbán and the European right. Meanwhile, speculation continues regarding which political group Fidesz will align with in the next EP.

Cross at Cape Finisterre, Galicia, Spain

The Loss of European Identity

‘The values forged in Europe have deep Christian roots. And yet, how many cases could we enumerate where crucifixes have been removed to ‘avoid offending’ others? How many campaigns have we seen against Christmas? How many instances of public ridiculing of the images of Christ or the Virgin Mary? Complicit in this surrender of faith is the silent and anaesthetized majority that does not react, that does not defend its own. It seems as if they are ashamed to be Christians.’

ECR Co-Chair Nicola Procaccini addresses the European Parliament in Strasbourg in the debate on the frozen EU funds for Hungary on 17 January 2024.

European Reformers and Conservatives Get Stronger as Elections Approach

According to Italian press reports, on the margins of the latest EU summit Viktor Orbán indicated that Fidesz is ready to join the ECR after the elections. The move would significantly swell the ranks of the ECR, considering that Fidesz is projected to win 14 seats (of Hungary’s 21), sending quite a sizable delegation to the European Parliament.