As the European Parliament convenes in Brussels for a new session in 2025, political watchers around Europe have turned their attention to two rising stars within the Patriots for Europe group: Kinga Gál from Hungary and Marieke Ehlers from the Netherlands. Both represent a growing conservative movement determined to assert more influence within the historically centrist and liberal-dominated EU legislature.
Politico, a leading Brussels-based political news outlet, highlighted Gál and Ehlers as key movers and shakers shaping the future agenda of the EU Parliament. They exemplify what many see as a shift toward stronger right-wing voices that challenge the established norms from within the parliamentary framework rather than abandoning the EU project altogether.
Kinga Gál: The Veteran Leader and Strategist
Kinga Gál, the Hungarian veteran parliamentarian, serves as the first vice president of the Patriots for Europe group, the EU Parliament’s third-largest political faction. Despite Jordan Bardella holding the group’s presidency, Gál effectively manages day-to-day operations and acts as the face of the Patriots in critical leadership forums such as the Conference of Presidents.
Gál is recognized for her strategic shift in the Patriots’ approach—from mere protest and disruption to becoming a serious political force capable of influencing legislation and policy debates. She has been particularly outspoken on topics such as illegal immigration, EU financial support for Ukraine, and rampant corruption within EU institutions.
In calling for reform, Gál urged greater prudence in EU budget allocation,
“We are against irresponsible spending on external conflicts, especially when our own borders remain vulnerable to illegal migration,”
emphasizing the group’s stance that budget priorities must reflect European citizens’ interests first. Her critiques of corruption in Brussels resonate deeply among voters disillusioned with EU bureaucracy.
Gál’s role symbolizes the Patriots’ desire not to exit the European Union but to transform the bloc from within by pushing back against what they describe as the overreach and unaccountability of Brussels elites.
Marieke Ehlers: The Ambitious Newcomer with a Bold Agenda
In contrast to Gál’s seasoned experience, Marieke Ehlers is relatively new to the European Parliament, having assumed office in July 2024 as a representative of the Dutch Party for Freedom (PVV). Despite her newcomer status, Ehlers has quickly distinguished herself as a vocal and ambitious lawmaker, especially on migration policy, a highly contentious issue across Europe.
Ehlers has positioned herself as the Patriots’ lead negotiator on the controversial “returns directive,” a proposed EU migration bill focusing on deportations of illegal migrants. Her involvement aims to demonstrate the far right’s growing capacity to shape mainstream EU legislation rather than being sidelined as mere opposition voices.
She explained her strategy by saying,
“Migration is one of the most pressing political debates in Europe. We intend to push for real change by forging agreements with both liberals and conservatives ready to acknowledge the need for stricter migration controls.”
This tactic hopes to shift the Overton window politically by compelling centrist parties to adopt measures typically championed by the far right.
Ehlers’ background combines legal expertise and policy advisory experience, having worked within the EU Parliament before being elected. She represents an emergent generation of conservative voices determined to challenge liberal dominance in Brussels and capitalize on shifting political winds ahead of upcoming national elections in member states.
The Patriots’ Evolution: From Protest to Political Power
Gál and Ehlers together illustrate the current evolution within the Patriots for Europe faction. Gál represents the pragmatic operator focusing on institutional recognition and policy influence. She seeks to transform the Patriots from a largely disruptive protest group into a sustainable political force capable of negotiating legislative outcomes.
Ehlers embodies the energetic newcomer eager to prove that the party’s influence extends beyond rhetoric into direct legislative impact, particularly on divisive issues like migration. Her role as spokesperson on the returns directive enables the Patriots to demonstrate legislative seriousness and broaden their appeal.
Despite facing strong resistance from the dominant left-liberal coalition in the European Parliament, Gál and Ehlers are benefiting from political changes occurring across Europe. With national governments in flux and public sentiment shifting on immigration and governance issues, the conservative voices they represent are gaining momentum.
Challenges and the Path Forward
The Patriots for Europe’s rise is not without obstacles. Institutional resistance from long-entrenched liberal and socialist groups remains fierce, and many in the Parliament see the Patriots’ agenda as threatening hard-won values of openness, multiculturalism, and European unity.
Both Gál and Ehlers acknowledge the uphill battle but remain resolute. Gál emphasized,
“Our goal is to hold Brussels accountable, bring transparency, and defend European nations’ sovereignty against unchecked federalism.”
Meanwhile, Ehlers added that public support for stricter migration rules is growing, asserting,
“People in many EU countries demand effective border policies and control over immigration flows, and we plan to deliver that mandate.”
The duo’s work extends beyond Brussels, influencing debates in their home countries of Hungary and the Netherlands, where conservative and nationalist parties are mobilizing to leverage discontent with the EU establishment.
Broader Political Implications
The increasing prominence of Gál and Ehlers represents a broader trend of right-leaning nationalist and conservative groups consolidating power within the European Parliament. Their success in shaping migration policies and budget priorities could redefine the EU agenda toward more restrictive immigration frameworks and cautious fiscal policies.
Their leadership also signals a potential realignment within the EU, as alliances become more fluid and pragmatic coalitions replace rigid ideological divides. This dynamic may alter how policies on security, economic governance, and foreign relations are negotiated in the years ahead.
For observers and stakeholders, the Patriots for Europe under Gál and Ehlers offer a glimpse of a more assertive, politically sophisticated right-wing force that seeks to transform the EU from within by appealing to nationalist sentiments while operating through democratic institutions.
Kinga Gál and Marieke Ehlers have emerged as key patriots to watch in the European Parliament’s evolving political landscape. Gál’s seasoned leadership and Ehlers’ dynamic activism illustrate the rise of conservative forces determined to challenge Brussels’ status quo. Their influence on migration policy and institutional reforms marks a turning point for the EU, potentially reshaping its legislative priorities and political alignments in the coming years.
