Leaders of Patriots for Europe gathered in Brussels on October 14 ahead of the European Council meeting on October 15–16, calling for greater national sovereignty, lower EU spending, stronger border protection and more competitive energy prices.
The meeting brought together prominent figures from across Europe’s conservative political landscape. Tom Van Grieken, who hosted the summit at the Belgian party Vlaams Belang’s headquarters, described the gathering as an opportunity to strengthen cooperation among Patriots for Europe member parties. Emphasizing their shared commitment to national sovereignty and self-determination, he stated that
our peoples must and will once again be able to decide on their own future.”
He also reaffirmed the parties’ intention to pool their efforts in pursuit of “a free, strong, and European Europe.”
Een hele eer om opnieuw gastheer te mogen zijn van de Patriots Leaders Summit! De partijvoorzitters van onze Europese partij @PatriotsEU verzamelden vandaag op het Vlaams Belang-hoofdkwartier.
Van noord tot zuid klinkt dezelfde patriottische boodschap steeds luider: onze volkeren moeten en zullen opnieuw zelf over hun toekomst kunnen beslissen. Als nationalisten hebben we elk onze eigen strijd, maar delen we allemaal dezelfde onwrikbare overtuigingen.
Samen blijven we onze krachten bundelen voor een vrij, sterk en Europees Europa. Dit is nog maar het begin!
— Tom Van Grieken (@tomvangrieken) October 14, 2026
Former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán expressed his confidence in the electoral prospects of patriotic parties across Europe: “In the next year, elections are coming up in Spain, France, Italy and Poland. The patriotic right is on the rise in all four countries. Brussels is starting to sweat.”
Patriots’ summit in Brussels. In the next year, elections are coming up in Spain, France, Italy and Poland. The patriotic right is on the rise in all four countries. Brussels is starting to sweat. https://t.co/ZPqfmBYkwB
— Orbán Viktor (@PM_ViktorOrban) October 14, 2026
Marine Le Pen highlighted her common ground with Viktor Orbán on national sovereignty and the freedom of peoples: “We share the love of our countries and the same attachment to the freedom of peoples and the sovereignty of nations.” She added that the alliance remains committed to building “a Europe at the service of its citizens.”
Avec @PM_ViktorOrban, nous partageons l’amour de nos pays et un même attachement à la liberté des peuples et à la souveraineté des nations.
Au sein des Patriotes pour l’Europe, nous poursuivons notre engagement pour une Europe au service de ses citoyens. https://t.co/mNqIMaLnX1
— Marine Le Pen (@MLP_officiel) October 14, 2026
Her post was accompanied by an official statement from her party, Rassemblement National, which proclaimed a new era on X. The post stated that with Marine Le Pen as President of France, the country will work alongside its European allies to build a “Europe of Nations” in which peoples will regain their sovereignty and the freedom to determine their own destiny.
Avec @MLP_officiel à la présidence de la République, la France portera une ambition nouvelle : bâtir une Europe des Nations, avec nos alliés européens, où les peuples retrouveront leur souveraineté et leur liberté de décider de leur avenir. https://t.co/ta12lKbh9d
— Rassemblement National (@RNational_off) October 14, 2026
In their joint statement, the Patriots strongly criticized the European Commission’s proposal for the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), arguing that the EU needs less bureaucracy, not a bigger budget.
They called for reducing unnecessary expenditure, lowering national contributions and rejecting new EU revenue sources that could place additional burdens on citizens and businesses.
Border protection was another key priority. Following developments at Ceuta, the Patriots demanded firm action against illegal immigration and defended the right of Member States to determine their own migration policies. They also criticized Spain’s mass regularization of immigrants, warning of potential consequences for security and social cohesion across the Schengen area.
On energy, the Patriots called for a reassessment of the EU emissions trading system, lower energy costs and increased European production. They specifically highlighted nuclear power, hydropower and other energy sources as essential to strengthening Europe’s industrial competitiveness and reducing dependence on imports.
The leaders of our European party gather in Brussels to coordinate and reaffirm common positions prior to the European Council meeting. https://t.co/nOF553vDDV
— Patriots.eu (@PatriotsEU) October 14, 2026
They also reaffirmed their support for efforts to achieve peace in Ukraine, while expressing concerns about the proposals on the further financing of the country from the new MFF and the potential consequences of its accession for European agriculture, labor markets and security.
The statement additionally raised concerns regarding the steps taken by the new Hungarian government to silence opposition forces in Hungary.
The retroactive legislation introducing a 12-year limit on parliamentary mandates, effectively banning most opposition politicians from seeking re-election, along with preventing the opposition leader from returning to the office of Prime Minister, is unacceptable,”
they stated.
“Your situation is our situation.” – @Rene_Aust told our conference that the pressure on Hungary’s conservative institutions mirrors what the @AfD faces in Germany.
His message to Hungary’s opposition: “We are on your side and we will have your back.”
A fine example of the growing solidarity amongst international conservative forces – thank you!
— Balázs Orbán (@BalazsOrban_HU) October 15, 2026
They warned that these measures “severely undermine citizens’ voting rights and impose unprecedented restrictions on democratic participation in Europe.” They also described it as “unacceptable” for a prime minister to interfere in the work of the police, prosecutors and judges through social media. Furthermore, they condemned the initiation of “politically motivated criminal proceedings” against opposition politicians and the use of disproportionate coercive measures intended “for the sole aim of intimidation and punishment.”
Kinga Gál, first Vice-President of Patriots for Europe, stressed that the message from the summit was clear:
Europe needs peace, secure borders and competitiveness, not more Brussels bureaucracy and centralization.”
She reaffirmed the alliance’s opposition to illegal migration and its commitment to defending national sovereignty and democracy. Criticizing the European Commission’s “misguided policies,” she called for a Europe that respects its Member States and puts citizens’ everyday concerns ahead of ideology. She also insisted that the next MFF must reflect these priorities, concluding that “Europe needs a change of direction and a return to common sense.”
. @PatriotsEU Leaders’ Summit ahead of this week’s EUCO.
Our message from Brussels is clear: Europe needs peace, secure borders and competitiveness, not more Brussels bureaucracy and centralisation.
Together, we stand against illegal migration and defend national sovereignty and democracy. Against the European Commission’s misguided policies, we work for a Europe that respects its Member States and puts people’s everyday concerns ahead of ideology.
The next MFF must serve these priorities. Europe needs a change of direction and a return to common sense.
— Kinga Gál (@_KingaGal) October 14, 2026
Following the European Parliament's decision, resistance is growing against what is feared to be control over public opinion from Brussels.Continue reading
Featured image: X/Viktor Orbán
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