PRESS RELEASE – PATRIOTS’ LEADERS SUMMIT (Brussels, March 19)
On the margins of the European Council meeting, the leaders of Patriots member parties met in Brussels on 19 March to reaffirm their alliance and solidarity in a tense international context.
The leaders welcome the steps taken in the direction of a ceasefire and peace in Ukraine. After three years of bloodshed and destruction, as consequence of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, peace should be the priority. The European Union should support these efforts and not hinder them.
Sovereign states must remain in control of their own destinies and policies. Defence must therefore remain a national prerogative and can under no circumstances be delegated to another level of government.
The leaders are in favour of strengthening the defence capabilities of Member States, based on national competences, and in accordance with each nation’s needs to defend their borders, their territories and, overall, their sovereignty. In this sense, Patriots oppose any federalist power grab and further centralization by the European Commission and reject the idea of joint borrowing and common debt.
Patriots leaders underline that Ukraine’s accession to the EU would pose a significant challenge, as this would have unpredictable economic consequences, especially with regard to the agriculture, labour market, and the security of the Member States.
The leaders of Patriots plead for a separate, independent and farmer-focused CAP in the post-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework. Patriots stand on the side of the farmers and will continue to defend their interests. Patriots oppose the continuation and the extension of the conditionality mechanism in the new MFF. The use of this tool is politically motivated, and it is an ideological misuse of the rule of law principle.
The leaders call for a complete overhaul of the EU’s failed migration strategy. As a starting point, strong border protection and zero tolerance for illegal entry is needed. Leaders support innovative solutions such as the creation of platforms in third countries to stop illegal migration to the EU and to make returns more effective.
As Europe’s leading opposition party, Patriots leaders reiterate their opposition to the main policies pursued by the Commission such as the Migration Pact or the Green Deal. From the outset, we were right and we will continue to hammer home the idea that our responsibility to the people is to guarantee them peace, security, and well-being through a competitive economy.
The party presidents also expressed their concern about the lack of democracy, the threats to freedom and the double standards against forces that are not in line with EU mainstream throughout Europe (from Poland to Romania). To this end, the European party has set up a Committee for Respect of Freedom and Democracy headed by Hermann Tertsch. This committee will investigate infringements of the most fundamental democratic rights in the European Union.
Patriots represent change in Brussels and all over Europe. We will continue to work to bring back common sense to decision-making and to ensure security and prosperity for our citizens. In this context, Patriots leaders fully support their member party, Chega in the upcoming elections in Portugal.
