On December 3 and 4, the European capital is hosting one of the most relevant debates of the moment. ‘Battle for the Soul of Europe’, an event organised by MCC Brussels that brings together academics, analysts, MEPs and cultural leaders from different generations, addresses a question that can no longer be avoided: Where is Europe heading, and who defines its identity?
In a context of political crises, migratory pressure, economic fatigue, and a growing disconnection between EU institutions and citizens, the forum seeks to open a discussion that—according to its organisers—the European Union itself has avoided for far too long. The central thesis is clear: the EU is undergoing a profound questioning of its very essence, a drift that, for many, has accelerated in recent years due to political decisions disconnected from Europe’s cultural and historical reality.
The event’s programme brings together influential figures in conservative thought and European cultural analysis. Among the guests is Francesco Giubilei, an Italian writer and intellectual, who will open the debate with a reflection on Europe’s cultural heritage and the need to preserve it against ideologies that, in his view, seek to dismantle the continent’s classical and Christian roots.
From France, Alice Cordier, activist and cultural analyst, will address the symbolic battle being fought today around national identity and the role of young women in rebuilding a stable and coherent European cultural project. Also, Virginie Joron, French MEP from Rassemblement National, will analyse the institutional dimension: How has the EU drifted so far from its citizens, and why is a feeling of disaffection growing that can no longer be dismissed as marginal?
Eoin Lenihan, Irish expert on extremist movements and digital dynamics, will focus his intervention on how technological platforms, radical groups, and certain institutional circuits have reshaped public conversation and pushed dissenting voices out of the debate.
One of the big names is Balázs Orbán, political director to the Hungarian Prime Minister and strategic adviser, who will outline the Central European perspective on the cultural conflict: the clash between Western capitals more aligned with social engineering and a bloc of countries defending family, sovereignty, borders, and economic realism.
The purpose of ‘Battle for the Soul of Europe’ is not merely academic. It arises in response to a feeling widely shared by millions of Europeans: the impression that EU institutions have prioritised ideological agendas over the real needs of families, workers, and young people.
We will be covering the conference throughout its duration, with reports and interviews coming over the next few days.
Javier Villamor is a Spanish journalist and analyst. Based in Brussels, he covers NATO and EU affairs at europeanconservative.com. Javier has over 17 years of experience in international politics, defense, and security. He also works as a consultant providing strategic insights into global affairs and geopolitical dynamics.
