Valérie Hayer, President of Renew Europe is exposing the 'Patriots' group as a bunch of puppets for Moscow and MAGA.
If you want to see what actual spine looks like in the European Parliament, watch this.
"Mr. President, you recalled the major progress made on the competitiveness roadmap, and I want to tell you—and even reiterate—the full and complete support of the Renew group on this matter.
But tonight, I would like to focus on the highlight of this Council. This European Council should have been one of clarity, firmness, and unity. Faced with our geopolitical challenges, faced with the war in Ukraine, faced with external pressures, Europe needed to speak with one voice.
But once again, that is not what we saw. Because within our very Union, one Member State is deliberately choosing to block our collective response. To bargain over its joining of our aid to Ukraine.
And dear colleagues, Viktor Orban’s Hungary—since that is who we are talking about—is not merely defending a different political line; it is organizing a genuine sabotage of European unity. And let us say it clearly: who benefits from this sabotage? This sabotage benefits Vladimir Putin, and only Vladimir Putin.
And we suspected as much. Now, we have proof of it with the Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs. So, Mr. President, what must be said today is that we are not talking about a simple disagreement here. No. We are talking about a major political problem for our Union. The question is clear: how can we be credible in the world if, within our own institutions, some are playing against their own side?
And how do we carry weight in this new world order if every decision can be held hostage by a single government? Now, the upcoming elections on April 12th in Hungary may perhaps turn the page on Viktor Orban. But they will not solve the problem that unanimity poses for us. Because this rule paralyzes us; it weakens us. But even worse: it exposes Europe to all forms of external influence.
Dear colleagues, we must have the lucidity to say it: today, our institutions are vulnerable. They are being tested, bypassed, and sometimes infiltrated by foreign powers that want to destroy Europe from within.
So, it is time to sound the alarm. It is time to point the finger at those who call themselves 'patriots' or 'sovereignists' here, but who in truth are working for Trump, for Putin, or even for Xi Jinping. And we know who they are! The press reveals it every day: it is the AfD, the National Rally, Fidesz, Vox, Chega, or even the PVV. They sit with the ESN, the ECR, and among the so-called 'Patriots.'
But when one votes against support for Ukraine, when one votes against sanctions for Russia, is that being a patriot? When one supports the 'MAGA' policy of Donald Trump, when one supports the American web giants against the DSA, is that being a patriot?
The truth is that these parties do not defend their country. They do not defend their people. They defend foreign interests by weakening Europe. And I remind you, by the way: such actions in our Member States would be punishable by convictions for high treason, collusion with the enemy, or attacks on the fundamental interests of the Nation.
So, dear colleagues, I say this with gravity: we must stop the naivety. We must stop considering such espionage scandals as commonplace. We owe these revolting revelations to a free press, and we understand why these parties want to muzzle journalists in their own countries!
Therefore, for the credibility of our European project, these actions must be sanctioned. Thank you."