Europe of Sovereign Nations: Data Analysis, Current Polls, and Policy Positions

The ESN's foundation is rooted in "ethnonationalism." Central to its ideology is the conviction that Europe should not be a common political project, but merely an alliance of strictly demarcated, culturally homogeneous homelands. The group strictly rejects supranationalism and multiculturalism. Its worldview is characterized by deep distrust of global institutions and a belief in an existential threat to national identities posed by migration and external influences. Here, the state is primarily understood as a protective haven for its own people.

The ESN's agenda focuses on the unwavering closure of external borders and the repatriation of immigrants. Economically, it advocates for the dismantling of EU competencies and the restoration of full fiscal sovereignty. It specifically targets voter groups who feel left behind by the liberal establishment and globalization, and who seek a return to traditional societal values. Climate action measures are largely rejected as a burden on the national economy, while the promotion of domestic industry and the strengthening of the nuclear family are prioritized.

Strategically, the ESN positions itself as an "anti-system force" within EU institutions. While other right-wing blocs strive for governability or cooperation with conservative forces, the ESN relies on provocation and fundamental opposition. Its relationship with the rule of law and liberal democracy is fraught with tension, as it often uses the parliamentary platform to question the very legitimacy of EU bodies. It serves as a rallying point for radical forces for whom established right-wing populist groups already appear too moderate or too willing to compromise with Brussels.