“Europe needs new leadership—not more of the same failures”: Patriots First Vice-Chair Kinga Gál

As the European Parliament prepares to vote on the motion of no confidence against Ursula von der Leyen this Thursday, one of the most prominent voices behind the initiative is Hungarian MEP Kinga Gál. A veteran politician, lawyer, and Vice-President of Patriots for Europe, Gál has long been at the forefront of the fight for national sovereignty and institutional transparency within the EU.

Her party, Fidesz, left the European People’s Party (EPP) in 2021, denouncing what Prime Minister Viktor Orbán described as its “leftward drift” and “betrayal of conservative values.” Today, from her seat in the Patriots group—now the third-largest force in the European Parliamen—Gál represents the growing bloc of Europeans demanding a return to realism, accountability, and respect for borders and tradition.

Some say the motion of no confidence is likely to fail—why is it still worth it for the Patriots?

We see that the EU is in crisis and weaker than ever before. This is the result of a series of misguided decisions made by the Commission, whether concerning the war in Ukraine, migration, or the Green Deal. By initiating the motion of censure, we are highlighting these mistakes and calling on other political groups to reflect on these disastrous decisions.

You argue that the goal is not only to criticize, but to initiate reflection. What kind of change do you believe is needed?

We are sending a clear message: a radical change is urgently needed. Since the President of the Commission has made it clear that she does not intend to change direction, we need new leadership of the Commission. The Patriots expect a leadership that will represent the interests of the European people, work towards peace, protect Europe’s borders, and boost European competitiveness.

So this vote is less about the result than about responsibility and representation?

It is not just about the outcome; it is about taking responsibility and standing up for the people who voted for us. In the European elections, we were given a clear mandate to represent change and to do everything possible to deliver that change to Europe.

You’ve mentioned that millions of Europeans have lost trust in the Commission. What message are you sending to them through this motion?

By initiating the motion of censure, we are representing tens of millions of Europeans who have lost trust in Ursula von der Leyen and want the European Commission to go. Von der Leyen refuses to answer to the demands of the Europeans, but we are here to ensure they are finally heard.

Von der Leyen has remained in her position thanks to the broad support from the establishment parties. What is the Patriots’ view on that?

Let’s not forget that Ursula von der Leyen was able to become the President of the Commission—and stay in power despite her failures—because she has always been backed by the mainstream parties, from the Greens to the EPP. She knows very well that she needs the support of left-wing parties, which is why she is constantly trying to please them.

They bear a heavy responsibility for backing a series of disastrous decisions that have weakened Europe. This is especially true for the EPP, which consistently betrays its voters by seeking alliances with left-wing parties, aiming to build majorities with the socialists and liberals. The only purpose of this coalition is to preserve the status quo. That is exactly what von der Leyen and the Commission represent: continuity instead of change, shady backroom deals instead of real solutions.

What must happen for Europe to break out of this political inertia?

This status quo has been maintained for too long, and our goal is precisely to put an end to this and bring real change to Europe. This will not happen overnight, but the signs across Europe are encouraging, as patriotic parties are getting stronger. We must continue to grow in strength, because only then can we force real change.

What comes next for von der Leyen—and for Europe?

As the successive motions of censure show, the ground is shaking under Ursula von der Leyen. People’s patience and trust have run out; the majority of Europeans want change. She may “survive” for now, but the moment of reckoning will come sooner or later, because the will of the people cannot be ignored in the long term.

Her recent State of the Union speech and her reaction to the motion of censure only reinforce our concerns. She made it clear that she intends to continue with the same failed policies that have driven Europe into crisis. We cannot support this.

What are the main priorities of Patriots in building a new course for Europe?

Patriots will remain the only real opposition to this Commission, and the only credible alternative for Europe’s future. We oppose the Commission’s centralization efforts and failed policies. We continue the fight against illegal migration and the Migration Pact, protect Europe’s borders, and reject the failed Green Deal. We stand firmly for the interests of European farmers and businesses, working to strengthen Europe’s competitiveness. At the same time, our fight for transparency and accountability in European institutions continues. We stand for the issues that truly affect the daily lives of European citizens and demand a leadership that does the same.

Looking ahead, what change do you hope to see in this term—and what gives you optimism?

Ideally, there should be a change by mid-term, and we are working to build a right-wing majority in Parliament on as many key issues as possible. I remain optimistic in the longer term. An increasing number of people across Europe realize that our continent’s future is at stake and that it is being put at risk by the current leadership. As the recent Czech elections showed, more and more citizens are standing with the Patriots and demanding real change. No wonder they are so upset in Brussels.