In a pivotal week for conservative politics in Europe, the US-backed Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) held large gatherings in Poland and Hungary. The timing is particularly significant as it unfolds before Poland’s presidential election run-off this Sunday, featuring CPAC-backed nationalist candidate Karol Nawrocki and liberal Mayor of Warsaw, Rafal Trzaskowski. CPAC proponents frame this election as a “battle for Western civilization.”
Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban addressed attendees in Budapest, claiming the gathering represents the “Age of Patriots” and asserting a vision of Europe rooted in nationalism, traditional family values, and his interpretation of Christianity. He described President Trump as a “truth serum” and criticized the European Union's Green Deal, arguing against mass immigration and societal changes associated with "gender and woke madness."
Echoing Orban’s sentiments, speakers such as Alice Weidel from Germany’s far-right AfD and Dutch politician Geert Wilders voiced concerns about societal safety, branding the current situation as “population replacement.” This gathering aims to reshape the European political landscape with an alternative conservative ideology that stands in contrast to traditional EU liberalism.
The conference included influential speakers, including former British Prime Minister Liz Truss, and leaders from other countries, creating a rare networking opportunity for nationalist and populist politicians in Europe. Rod Dreher, an editor of the American Conservative, asserted that this CPAC offers more intellectual depth than its US counterpart and fulfills Orban's vision of Budapest as a center for dissident European conservatism.
Support for Nawrocki emerged strongly throughout the conference, as US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem emphasized the strong alliance Poland could have with the US under a Trump-supporting leader, though concerns linger about potential losses for the movement in other parts of Europe.
Despite the self-assured tone among speakers, the nationalist agenda faces challenges demonstrated by recent setbacks, such as the liberal mayor's victory in Bucharest. The looming Polish election carries implications for Orban's hold on power, with voices speculating that if Nawrocki fails to secure a win, Orban’s regime in Hungary could also be jeopardized.
Tensions within this conservative front are also apparent, marked by differing stances on the Ukraine conflict and the conspicuous absence of Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at the conference. Additionally, the Hungarian fertility rate hit a low point, raising concerns about the effectiveness of Orban's policies aimed at encouraging population growth.
As the conference drew to a close on Friday, participants left with a palpable excitement, focused on the upcoming decision in Poland which could drastically influence the future of conservative politics in Europe.
