One leading MEP from the far-right Patriots for Europe (PfE) called it “the end of an era,” underscoring a pivotal moment for the third largest political group in the European Parliament.
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Viktor Orbán’s defeat in Hungary’s elections is beginning to ripple through Brussels, where his political allies are questioning how actively the outgoing prime minister will remain involved in European politics.
Orbán is the ‘founding father’ of the so-called “Patriots,” a political alliance he launched alongside Herbert Kickl of Austria’s Freedom Party and Andrej Babiš, now prime minister of Czechia.
After a term without a political family, Orbán spearheaded the creation of the new group in July 2024 to unite the far-right parties under a single banner, quickly attracting National Rally, League, Vox and other nationalist forces.
The coalition soon evolved into a well-structured political party, Patriots.eu, founded on the basis of the Vienna manifesto —a document drafted by Orbán, Kickl and Babiš— that champions stronger national sovereignty against EU institutions.
By setting up regular meetings among leaders in Brussels ahead of EU summits, staging gatherings across Europe to boost national campaigns and deepening cooperation in the Parliament, Orbán put his political project on European map —going so far as to wear down the firewall maintained by pro-European forces during the previous term.
Now that he has lost power in his own country, and is not even certain to remain at the helm of his Fidesz party, PfE lawmakers try to understand what his plans are for the group.
While some fear his defeat could lead to political disengagement, others believe he may now turn his attention more decisively to the European level.
“We will see him much more in Brussels. He will fight his battles here,” a PfE MEP told Euronews, adding that a leader of his stature remaining active around the Parliament could ultimately benefit the movement in the long term.
The 11-MEP delegation from Fidesz is expected to remain a key force within the group, with its lead MEP Kinga Gál serving as first vice-president and frequently stepping in for the chairman Jordan Bardella —also president of National Rally—in the day-to-day work in Brussels.
“At the moment, they are down in the dumps”, a PfE official said in the days after the elections.
A rally in Milan as a first test
The first major far-right gathering testing the post-Hungarian election mood will take place in Italy on Saturday, where Patriots for Europe has organised a rally in Milan’s central square under the title “No fear. Masters of our own house.”
The rally will focus on the “remigration” of foreigners to their countries of origin.
Bardella and Geert Wilders, who leads the Dutch Party for Freedom will join The League’s Matteo Salvini, while other leaders are expected to deliver a video message.
Criticism of the EU’s reduced imports of Russian gas and its environmental regulations will also feature at the event, which is expected to include at least 20 tractors representing farming associations, Matteo Salvini announced.
Authorities are preparing for possible public order tensions, as two protest marches organized by social centres, civil associations and left-wing political forces will take place in other parts of the city. Italian police have reportedly drawn up a security plan to prevent opposing demonstrations from coming into contact, according to the Italian press.
The list of attending leaders is not yet final, and any intervention by Orbán has not been confirmed, either in person or remotely. “I doubt that he wants to be mobbed by supporters after such a defeat,” a PfE official told Euronews.
According to Parliament officials, leaders are likely to discuss the aftermath of the Hungarian elections in Milan, while MEPs from Patriots for Europe parties are expected to examine the results in a group meeting in Brussels on 21 April.
“Nothing changes in terms of structure. We will remain the third largest group in the Parliament. I expect more shockwaves in the Council where we have lost one of the two heads of State we had,” said another MEP.
