The NEOS Foundation has been working for several years within the political and cultural realm of the conservative spectrum in Spain to promote the defense of Christian principles. Founded by former MEP Jaime Mayor Oreja, Basque politician María San Gil, and a group of intellectuals and academics in 2021, NEOS initially focused on Spain but has increasingly established itself as a reference at the European and Ibero-American levels. From defending life and family to a realistic analysis of the consequences of uncontrolled immigration to criticizing the 2030 Agenda, its precise reports provide arguments for those on the frontlines of politics and communication.
How does the NEOS Foundation see the future of the European Union?
As our president Jaime Mayor Oreja always says, Europe was born with a soul but without a body in the 1950s. Now, we find a Europe with a body—certainly a huge body—but without a soul.
The situation in Europe is complicated. Europe is profoundly transforming, and we must rethink the European Union. We need to recover the project envisioned by the founding fathers of the EU, based on Christian principles. Today, we see a Europe subjected to relativism and a globalist agenda that distorts these fundamental principles. Europe needs to recover its identity and its original mission to face the challenges of the present. This recovery of what Europe means is always essential, but today it is fundamental. If we now witness calls to defend Europe, we ask ourselves: What is Europe to some people? We are clear about this and believe that the Europe of the founding fathers is definitely worth defending. But if we must protect the relativist proposal of a continent without direction, I don’t think many will volunteer.
To give an example, as a member of One of Us, the European Alliance for Life, at NEOS, we are deeply concerned to see that, at the European level, some have made it their goal to introduce the culture of death—abortion and euthanasia—disguised as rights in the European Charter of Fundamental Rights. Europe goes from being the place in the world where fundamental human rights, including the right to life, were first established, to being the first place where it is legal to end a life. That is not our Europe. If we add to this the complete alignment of Brussels with the 2030 Agenda, the future is worrisome.
Turning to Spain now. Recently, you presented the report Spain in the Abyss: The Breakup Becomes Reality on the delicate situation in Spain, where the ruling PSOE party has taken control of many parts of the government, sometimes with help from the opposition PP. At the same time, the government uses public money to influence the media. Its far-left and separatist allies are also creating division, threatening basic freedoms, and pushing for parts of Spain to break away. What does your report say about what is happening?
The report aims to raise awareness about the gravity of the present situation in Spain. It is also a call to action, a proclamation that, with the right measures and the articulation of an alternative, this process can be stopped.
We are concerned about a clear and ongoing process: a new constitutional shift that is quietly but steadily taking place, driven by an alliance between separatism and the Spanish Left that began when José Luís Rodríguez Zapatero became Secretary General of the PSOE in 2000. This process broke the consensus established during the transition to democracy in the late 1970s, which had made it possible to build a Spain for everyone. It also ushered in a project of division and confrontation, creating a Spain of first- and second-class citizens.
What do you propose to confront this process?
The political situation in Spain is very worrying; surprisingly, it is largely unknown outside of our borders. We have not yet hit rock bottom, but we are at a critical moment. The fragmentation of the country and the attempts to dismember the state are alarming. What we need now is a long-term political project that not only focuses on defeating the current government but also on transforming Spanish society through solid principles and a clear vision for the future. We need a change in mentality and a new drive.
Our proposal is very clear: we need to mobilize. We must raise awareness and defend what we have achieved so far. Spain needs deep reform in many aspects, but always under the principle of unity—reform to build a better country for everyone.
We cannot allow Spain to fracture, and that is why we talk about the need for a “process of return” that will enable us, as a country, to reunite under the principles that historically defined us. To be more practical, in that same document, we propose a ten-point list of essential measures to build this alternative, which must be carried out if we want to reverse this process. These essential measures include the urgent repeal of divisive legislation, strengthening democratic institutions and the rule of law, promoting national cohesion, and reforming the immigration and tax systems.
How do you see the current geopolitical situation, especially regarding relations with the United States or China?
Relations with the United States are essential, but we cannot allow Europe to lose its moral and political autonomy. Europe must be able to build its own project without entirely depending on what other powers dictate. Rather than focusing on external issues, let’s focus on the opportunities the current situation offers us in areas like energy autonomy, reindustrialization, and finding new allies who share our principles.
Regarding China, we should not be naïve. We have already seen what the Chinese alternative means in many places, from Africa to Latin America. The simplistic thinking that we can replace one superpower (the USA) with another (China) is simply ridiculous. Let’s not forget that beyond trade, the Chinese model represents [certain ideological and political] principles. China, in this regard, is not an alternative.
You tackle a topic that not many foundations dare to address, which is immigration. Earlier this year, you presented the report Immigration in Spain: Do-Gooderism or Effectiveness. How do you view the migration situation on our continent?
Migration is one of the most complex and urgent issues of our time, and paradoxically, the first revolutionary issue today is to state that fact. Spain has indeed received migrants for years, but we must be aware of the limits that our society can support: the absorption rate. There is a moral obligation to assist migrants, but that obligation is limited. This also applies to other European countries, such as France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Italy. At NEOS, we advocate for integration to avoid conflicts and social rupture. To achieve this, it would be illogical not to prioritize those who share our values and culture, such as Hispanics in the case of Spain, with whom we share language, tradition, and religion. We must not allow mass immigration to undermine the social cohesion we have worked hard to build.
We need to be clear: immigration is not the solution to all our problems, from the sustainability of the welfare state to the demographic crisis. We need a more sensible and controlled approach to immigration, one that considers both the society’s absorption capacity and the benefits immigration can bring.
What is your opinion on the demographic challenges affecting all member states?
It is a serious challenge. The aging population and low birth rates are putting the future of our very existence as European peoples at risk. Much more can indeed be done in the area of assistance to member states, and it should be done. However, our view is that the priority is to reverse the individualistic culture in which forming a family is seen as a burden.
“China is not an alternative”—NEOS Foundation Managing Director Javier Martínez-Fresneda
Javier Martínez-Fresneda
NEOS
The NEOS Foundation has been working for several years within the political and cultural realm of the conservative spectrum in Spain to promote the defense of Christian principles. Founded by former MEP Jaime Mayor Oreja, Basque politician María San Gil, and a group of intellectuals and academics in 2021, NEOS initially focused on Spain but has increasingly established itself as a reference at the European and Ibero-American levels. From defending life and family to a realistic analysis of the consequences of uncontrolled immigration to criticizing the 2030 Agenda, its precise reports provide arguments for those on the frontlines of politics and communication.
How does the NEOS Foundation see the future of the European Union?
As our president Jaime Mayor Oreja always says, Europe was born with a soul but without a body in the 1950s. Now, we find a Europe with a body—certainly a huge body—but without a soul.
The situation in Europe is complicated. Europe is profoundly transforming, and we must rethink the European Union. We need to recover the project envisioned by the founding fathers of the EU, based on Christian principles. Today, we see a Europe subjected to relativism and a globalist agenda that distorts these fundamental principles. Europe needs to recover its identity and its original mission to face the challenges of the present. This recovery of what Europe means is always essential, but today it is fundamental. If we now witness calls to defend Europe, we ask ourselves: What is Europe to some people? We are clear about this and believe that the Europe of the founding fathers is definitely worth defending. But if we must protect the relativist proposal of a continent without direction, I don’t think many will volunteer.
To give an example, as a member of One of Us, the European Alliance for Life, at NEOS, we are deeply concerned to see that, at the European level, some have made it their goal to introduce the culture of death—abortion and euthanasia—disguised as rights in the European Charter of Fundamental Rights. Europe goes from being the place in the world where fundamental human rights, including the right to life, were first established, to being the first place where it is legal to end a life. That is not our Europe. If we add to this the complete alignment of Brussels with the 2030 Agenda, the future is worrisome.
Turning to Spain now. Recently, you presented the report Spain in the Abyss: The Breakup Becomes Reality on the delicate situation in Spain, where the ruling PSOE party has taken control of many parts of the government, sometimes with help from the opposition PP. At the same time, the government uses public money to influence the media. Its far-left and separatist allies are also creating division, threatening basic freedoms, and pushing for parts of Spain to break away. What does your report say about what is happening?
The report aims to raise awareness about the gravity of the present situation in Spain. It is also a call to action, a proclamation that, with the right measures and the articulation of an alternative, this process can be stopped.
We are concerned about a clear and ongoing process: a new constitutional shift that is quietly but steadily taking place, driven by an alliance between separatism and the Spanish Left that began when José Luís Rodríguez Zapatero became Secretary General of the PSOE in 2000. This process broke the consensus established during the transition to democracy in the late 1970s, which had made it possible to build a Spain for everyone. It also ushered in a project of division and confrontation, creating a Spain of first- and second-class citizens.
What do you propose to confront this process?
The political situation in Spain is very worrying; surprisingly, it is largely unknown outside of our borders. We have not yet hit rock bottom, but we are at a critical moment. The fragmentation of the country and the attempts to dismember the state are alarming. What we need now is a long-term political project that not only focuses on defeating the current government but also on transforming Spanish society through solid principles and a clear vision for the future. We need a change in mentality and a new drive.
Our proposal is very clear: we need to mobilize. We must raise awareness and defend what we have achieved so far. Spain needs deep reform in many aspects, but always under the principle of unity—reform to build a better country for everyone.
We cannot allow Spain to fracture, and that is why we talk about the need for a “process of return” that will enable us, as a country, to reunite under the principles that historically defined us. To be more practical, in that same document, we propose a ten-point list of essential measures to build this alternative, which must be carried out if we want to reverse this process. These essential measures include the urgent repeal of divisive legislation, strengthening democratic institutions and the rule of law, promoting national cohesion, and reforming the immigration and tax systems.
How do you see the current geopolitical situation, especially regarding relations with the United States or China?
Relations with the United States are essential, but we cannot allow Europe to lose its moral and political autonomy. Europe must be able to build its own project without entirely depending on what other powers dictate. Rather than focusing on external issues, let’s focus on the opportunities the current situation offers us in areas like energy autonomy, reindustrialization, and finding new allies who share our principles.
Regarding China, we should not be naïve. We have already seen what the Chinese alternative means in many places, from Africa to Latin America. The simplistic thinking that we can replace one superpower (the USA) with another (China) is simply ridiculous. Let’s not forget that beyond trade, the Chinese model represents [certain ideological and political] principles. China, in this regard, is not an alternative.
You tackle a topic that not many foundations dare to address, which is immigration. Earlier this year, you presented the report Immigration in Spain: Do-Gooderism or Effectiveness. How do you view the migration situation on our continent?
Migration is one of the most complex and urgent issues of our time, and paradoxically, the first revolutionary issue today is to state that fact. Spain has indeed received migrants for years, but we must be aware of the limits that our society can support: the absorption rate. There is a moral obligation to assist migrants, but that obligation is limited. This also applies to other European countries, such as France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Italy. At NEOS, we advocate for integration to avoid conflicts and social rupture. To achieve this, it would be illogical not to prioritize those who share our values and culture, such as Hispanics in the case of Spain, with whom we share language, tradition, and religion. We must not allow mass immigration to undermine the social cohesion we have worked hard to build.
We need to be clear: immigration is not the solution to all our problems, from the sustainability of the welfare state to the demographic crisis. We need a more sensible and controlled approach to immigration, one that considers both the society’s absorption capacity and the benefits immigration can bring.
What is your opinion on the demographic challenges affecting all member states?
It is a serious challenge. The aging population and low birth rates are putting the future of our very existence as European peoples at risk. Much more can indeed be done in the area of assistance to member states, and it should be done. However, our view is that the priority is to reverse the individualistic culture in which forming a family is seen as a burden.
READ NEXT
What Is the Legacy of Pope Francis (1936-2025)?
Could the Pope’s Death Mean the Demise of Liberal Catholicism?
Amid Moral Confusion, the Church Offers Resurrection and Belonging