“Now is the time to defend our freedom, dignity, families, faith, way of life, and sovereignty”

Ordo Iuris

The MEGA (Make Europe Great Again) conference is currently underway at the European Parliament in Brussels. The event is being attended by representatives from conservative circles across numerous countries. One of the keynote speakers, Jerzy Kwasniewski of the Ordo Iuris Institute, was invited to deliver the opening remarks.

In his speech, Kwasniewski discussed the prospects for Europe and expressed optimism about the opportunities tied to Donald Trump’s ascension to the U.S. presidency. He also highlighted the risks associated with ongoing efforts to centralize the European Union.

Below is the full text of Jerzy Kwasniewski’s statement:

Ladies and gentlemen,

The very tone of this welcome may suggest a certain familiarity—a nod to a well-known slogan. Indeed, just as the title of this conference paraphrases Donald Trump’s rallying cry, let me borrow from the opening words of his inaugural address: the golden age of Europe lies ahead. That is, as long as we have the courage to defend Western values against the creeping tide of liberal authoritarianism.

Now is the time to defend our freedom, dignity, families, faith, way of life, and sovereignty—not just in the European Parliament, but in our national parliaments and across our societies. Together, this is how we will Make Europe Great Again!

Unfortunately, too many in the West have succumbed to despair and paralyzing fear—the kind of fear described in the Old Testament, where the chosen people faced overwhelming adversaries but failed to fully trust in God’s providence. It is this silence, this inaction of our leaders, that has brought Europe to the brink of economic, social, and security disasters. The Green Deal, gender ideology, and Europe’s disarmament in the shadow of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine are direct consequences of sacrificing common sense on the altar of modern ideologies.

Far too many conservative leaders have remained silent. Some have declared our civilizational battle already lost, urging us to retreat into a focus on mere social well-being or economic stability. Others, like mainstream Christian-Democrat parties, have openly aligned themselves with leftist revolutions, leading their supporters into the traps of materialism and the so-called “culture of death,” undermining our foundational values and rights.

But now, a new dawn is upon us! Donald Trump’s recent victory marks a shift in this battle. This is our historical moment to reclaim our unalienable rights and freedoms—rights that secure prosperity and happiness for all communities rooted in shared values.

Let us boldly reaffirm these fundamental Western principles: personal dignity, freedom, the protection of families, the sanctity of life, and respect for religious identities. We must defend our political freedoms: freedom of speech, freedom of the press—including in the digital age—and property rights, which are increasingly threatened by overreaching international regulations. Above all, we must reaffirm our national sovereignties.

The success of Europe’s revival depends on boldness—politicians and cultural leaders daring to break the status quo and champion the values that have been scorned as “outdated” or “offensive” for years. This boldness will Make Europe Great Again.

Yet, our fight is far from over. The waning powers of liberal democracy are mounting a fierce counteroffensive against common sense. Under the Lisbon Treaty, the European Parliament has sought to strip member states of sovereignty in ten critical areas—including education, health, family policy, foreign affairs, military spending, migration, and industrial regulation—handing these powers to unelected bureaucrats.

This push for a European “superstate” has been formalized in the November 2023 resolution. Shockingly, the resolution’s preamble invokes the ‘Manifesto of Ventotene,’ authored by Altiero Spinelli long before his rise as a mainstream socialist. This document reveals the real intent behind these reforms: the abolition of nations, the erasure of borders, the elimination of property rights, and the replacement of democracy with a centralized European dictatorship.

In response, the Ordo Iuris Institute, in collaboration with think tanks across the EU, will soon present a draft counter-report on EU reform. This report will offer two alternative scenarios for a conservative revival of the European project. In Brussels and Washington, we will convene experts to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the EU, providing a roadmap for a brighter future.

But the threat does not end at the EU level. Liberals are testing new methods to suppress democratic opposition. In Poland, we are witnessing the rise of a liberal authoritarian regime. Citing the doctrines of “militant democracy” and “transitional justice,” the government is dismantling constitutional safeguards, undermining fundamental rights, and consolidating power against sovereign conservative forces—dismissively labeled as “right-wing populists.”

“Militant democracy” is already taking shape in gag laws targeting so-called “hate speech,” hostile takeovers of public media, political control over the judiciary, and the persecution of opposition figures—including the arrest of priests and members of parliament. Make no mistake: this Polish experiment is a blueprint for suppressing conservatives across Europe.

As liberalism loses its democratic support, it resorts, like any fading regime, to force and coercion to maintain power.

Now is the time for responsible leaders to rise—to earn the trust of the people and replace the corrupted elites and decaying European order with a vision grounded in fundamental values, the common good, and common sense. We must envision bold new beginnings and create a new European order. Together, we can Make Europe Great Again!

The Ordo Iuris Institute is prepared to serve as a hub of expertise, an international network, and a facilitator of transatlantic cooperation. We are here to support political change, hold leaders accountable, and empower those brave enough to restore the freedoms and dignity our citizens deserve.

Together, we will stand against the encroachment of global governance and fight for the principles of common sense and the common good.

We will Make Europe Great Again!

Thank you.