With a strong Europe, FVD wants to counter American influence

By NieuwRechts, 16 September 2024.

American films, music and politics: according to FVD leader, Thierry Baudet, the Netherlands is being ‘flooded’ with Anglo-American influences. Now that the Americans are far from always proving to be our allies, such as with the recent Nord Stream sabotage, Baudet believes that a tipping point needs to be reached. As far as he is concerned, Europe must fall back on its own culture and history. This is only possible with a strong alliance, in which the sovereignty of all European countries is preserved: ‘We have our own civilisation.’

Just outside Zaltbommel lies Brakel Castle, a medieval ruin. Only the tower still stands; the rest was blown up by French troops in 1627. It seems no coincidence that Forum for Democracy decided to organise its summer barbecue here. Amid guest speakers, invited guests and donors, party leader Thierry Baudet announced the construction of a pan-European alliance. European culture and history must take centre stage again, he believes. This should counterbalance American influence on our continent.

Guests were not bored at this big event at the Brakel estate. The event was attended by several MEPs, all from the Europe of Sovereign Nations party which Forum recently joined. They include the leader of Reconquête in France, Éric Zemmour, the party’s MEP, Sarah Knafo, as well as a delegation from Alternative für Deutschland and the Bulgarian party Vazrazhdane (Revival). Lots of food was brought in, including a roast pig and special Forum cakes. A petting zoo and a casino were also hired.

After the festivities had been going on for about an hour and a half, Baudet announced the new alliance: ‘We need to branch out and be more European.’ From the Netherlands to Spain, from Germany to Hungary: it is time for right-wing conservative Europe to unite, Baudet argued. This is not for nothing, he said, as all countries - including Russia - have a shared civilisation and culture. 

Time for a new alliance?
Baudet seemed to suggest that Europe is too much under the US yoke. ‘Our country is overrun by Anglo-American influences,’ he said. The FVD leader does not find this ideal, as Americans are far from always serving European interests. As an example, he pointed to the recent Nord Stream sabotage: a destruction of Europe's vital energy infrastructure. This is why Baudet believes that Europe, as a strategic move, should see itself not only as part of a ‘transatlantic’ alliance, but above all of a continental European alliance.

What does such an alliance look like? As a starter, Baudet points to FVD's new partners in the European parliament, including AfD and Reconquête. ‘We need to develop an independent geostrategic position amidst all global developments. This was absent in our country in recent decades, but now we are trying to rebuild it,’ he said. Baudet is also keen to see new, pro-European voices emerging in the fields of media, art and social movements.

‘We need European films, authors, documentaries and music. We need to rediscover our ability to learn European languages. Perhaps in a few years we will no longer speak English at international meetings, but German or French,’ Baudet says. ‘This is crucial at a time when the US empire is throwing us under the bus, with all these senseless wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. The US intelligence services spy on us and sell their weapons and technology to us. As Europe - while respecting the sovereignty of all countries - we need to discover a new perspective on world politics.’

A European Europe
Soon Baudet puts his words into action, giving the stage to his international partners and guests. Not only the Brit, John Laughland came to speak, but also the French politicians, Éric Zemmour and Sarah Knafo, AfD MEP Irmhild Boßdorf and the Bulgarian MEP Stanislav Stoyanov. All share the same vision: pro-Europe, i.e. for a Europe of sovereign nations and against the Brussels centralisation drive.

In his speech, Zemmour recounted how he got to know Baudet. Years ago, the Frenchman reviewed a book by Baudet for Le Figaro, after which he received a phone call from him. Soon the two met in Paris, where they appeared to share the same analyses on European history.  Although Europe is divided into different nations, Europe has also experienced all the same historical trends at the same time: from the rise of 11th-century capitalism and the Renaissance to the Enlightenment, nationalism, sexual liberation and now populism. As the biggest threat to Europe, Zemmour cited the growing influence of wokeism and Islam. The two are diametrically opposed to traditional Western civilisation, he said.

In addition to European countries, Zemmour kept the door open to the United States, or rather especially to Donald Trump. He even wants to work with the British to create a stronger Europe – quite an admission for a French nationalist. After him, Knafo explains that right-wing conservative policy proposals are becoming more prevalent in Europe. For this, she pointed to major developments just last week: Sweden wants to encourage remigration, Germany is re-introducing full border controls, the Netherlands is tightening family reunification. ‘These are victories to which our parties contributed. We fought for our ideas even during failures and demonisation from the media. We carried on despite opposition.’

A musical beginning
Knafo is clear: for a party, what counts in the end is not the percentage of votes but the influence one exerts and fighting spirit one shows in the process. This is what people will ultimately remember. This is why she calls on the Netherlands to fight for a Dutch Netherlands, France for a French France, and Europe for a European Europe. 

According to AfD's Boßdorf, European countries must first of all regain sovereignty. She sees other important issues in migration, woke and climate policy. Then Stoyanov stresses the importance of regaining peace in Europe. To conclude, Baudet climbs on stage again, with a clear message: his party does not only want to voice criticism, but above all to spread new ideas. In other words: to stand up for European life and sovereignty. Not only of EU member states among themselves, but also in relation to the Americans. 

After the series of speeches, the barbecue took off on the Brakel estate. There was plenty of talking, eating and drinking. And what is striking: the music in the background is exclusively of European origin. It seems like a musical beginning of the great political ambitions: a united Europe of independent countries.