As nationalist leaders and right-wing parties across Europe gather renewed confidence, the transatlantic conservative movement appears to be gaining traction. The recent Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) events in Hungary and Poland have amplified the political momentum of European conservatives, offering a high-profile stage for ideas once considered on the political margins.
These events, occurring amid shifting geopolitical winds and the return of Donald Trump to the U.S. presidency, have highlighted a growing alliance between American and European right-wing movements. The CPAC conferences—traditionally an American political institution—have now become an important platform for European conservatives to articulate their vision of governance, national identity, and sovereignty.
A Shared Vision: Tradition, Sovereignty, and Opposition to Progressivism
The gatherings in Budapest and Warsaw were anchored around familiar themes: opposition to immigration, rejection of what participants called “woke ideology,” resistance to centralized European Union authority, and the defense of “traditional family values.” Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, one of the most prominent voices at the events, praised Trump’s political comeback as a global endorsement of conservative values. He called on European nations to reclaim their national identities, describing the European Union as increasingly detached from the cultural roots of its member states.
Dutch politician Geert Wilders, Germany’s Alice Weidel of AfD, and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico joined Orbán in delivering sharp critiques of EU climate policy, multiculturalism, and progressive social agendas. Many speakers pointed to CPAC as a unifying force, creating a shared ideological space that transcends national borders.
Political Stakes Rising in Poland
In Poland, the stakes are particularly high. The country is currently in the midst of a presidential runoff between Karol Nawrocki, the nationalist candidate backed by conservative groups aligned with CPAC, and Rafal Trzaskowski, the centrist liberal mayor of Warsaw. The race is widely seen as a referendum on Poland’s political direction and a bellwether for the strength of conservative forces across Central Europe.
If Nawrocki secures victory, it could further tilt Poland’s foreign policy and domestic governance toward the nationalist axis represented by Hungary’s Orbán and potentially challenge EU cohesion on multiple fronts, including rule-of-law disputes and migration policy.
Transatlantic Influence and Strategic Partnerships
The strategic partnership between European conservatives and American political figures marks a notable evolution in the continent’s political discourse. CPAC’s European editions have served not only as rallies but also as networking hubs, where party leaders, media influencers, and political strategists coordinate narratives and election strategies. With Donald Trump back in office, many European conservatives see an opportunity to align more closely with U.S. leadership on issues ranging from defense to culture wars.
Still, critics warn of a potential “echo chamber” effect, where populist rhetoric may overshadow complex regional realities and deepen polarization. Progressive parties across Europe continue to hold significant influence, particularly in Western and Northern Europe, where social democratic and centrist coalitions remain dominant.
Challenges and Divisions Within the Right
Despite the outward show of unity, underlying tensions persist. There are growing disagreements within the conservative bloc regarding the war in Ukraine, energy independence, and economic policy. While leaders like Orbán advocate for a more neutral or even conciliatory stance toward Russia, others—particularly in the Baltics and Scandinavia—maintain a firm pro-Ukraine, anti-Kremlin position.
Moreover, recent electoral setbacks in countries like Romania and Albania have reminded CPAC-aligned parties that public appetite for hardline nationalism is not uniform across the continent. In many regions, younger voters continue to lean toward liberal or green platforms.
What Comes Next?
The expanding presence of CPAC in Europe signals a renewed ambition: to build a continent-wide conservative alliance capable of reshaping EU policy and governance from within. Whether this movement will translate into lasting political change remains to be seen, but the infrastructure is being laid—through media, political partnerships, and coordinated messaging.
With major European Parliament elections looming in 2026, conservative parties will be looking to convert CPAC’s momentum into concrete electoral gains. For now, the movement is on the rise, emboldened by global shifts and increasingly confident in its mission to remake Europe in its image.
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