This week, Europe has seen a significant gathering of conservative leaders at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Poland and Hungary. The timing of this event is crucial, especially with Poland’s presidential election run-off approaching, where nationalist candidate Karol Nawrocki is set to face off against liberal Mayor of Warsaw, Rafal Trzaskowski. This election is being framed by CPAC speakers as a pivotal moment for Western civilization.
Traditionally, CPAC has been a platform for American conservative activists. However, its profile has surged with Donald Trump back in the political spotlight. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban opened the conference in Budapest, declaring that this gathering represents those who have endured rather than those who have been defeated. He referred to Trump as a "truth serum" and spoke about his vision for a new Europe focused on nationalism, traditional family values, and a specific interpretation of Christianity.
The conference featured speakers who criticized the European Union’s Green Deal and expressed concerns about immigration and what they termed "gender and woke madness." The atmosphere was lively, with flashy presentations and a mix of entertainment and political discourse. Orban highlighted the feeling of insecurity among Europeans in their own countries, suggesting that they feel like strangers in their own homes.
Among the notable attendees were Alice Weidel from Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), Geert Wilders from the Dutch Freedom Party, and former British Prime Minister Liz Truss. The event also attracted politicians from various countries, including Slovakia and Austria, and even a representative from India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.
In Warsaw, speakers emphasized the importance of forming an international nationalist movement. Rod Dreher, an editor at the American Conservative, noted that CPAC Hungary offers a rare opportunity for nationalist politicians in Europe to connect and share ideas. Orban has positioned Budapest as a center for European conservative thought, contrasting with more mainstream European conservatives who have distanced themselves from this movement.
The support from the Trump administration was evident, with U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem expressing her backing for Nawrocki in the Polish elections. She assured the audience of continued U.S. military presence and support for Poland, signaling the importance of these elections for U.S.-European relations.
However, the conservative movement in Europe is not without challenges. Recent elections in Romania and Albania did not favor the nationalist candidates, and there are signs of political instability for Orban, who faces upcoming parliamentary elections in Hungary. Concerns about low birth rates and divisions over issues like the Ukraine conflict also pose challenges to the unity of this conservative coalition.
As the conference wrapped up, there was a sense of optimism among attendees, especially with the Polish election on the horizon. The outcome could significantly influence the future of conservative politics in Europe and beyond.