A new grouping in the European Parliament is on the horizon, can it maintain its awkward platform?
“The whole modern world has divided itself into Conservatives and Progressives. The business of Progressives is to go on making mistakes. The business of Conservatives is to prevent mistakes from being corrected. Even when the revolutionist might himself repent of his revolution, the traditionalist is already defending it as part of his tradition. Thus we have two great types — the advanced person who rushes us into ruin, and the retrospective person who admires the ruins.”
— G.K. Chesterton
A new political coalition is forming in the European Parliament, one that brings together two seemingly incompatible political ideologies: conservatism and progressivism. This emerging group, known as the “Conservative Progressives,” aims to navigate a complex landscape where traditional values intersect with the desire for social reform. The question remains: can such a grouping maintain coherence and effectively shape the future of European politics?
Chesterton’s quote offers an apt lens through which to view this coalition’s internal contradictions. Conservatives, by nature, resist change, seeking to preserve what they believe to be valuable traditions. Progressives, on the other hand, are often driven by a desire to push society forward, even at the risk of disrupting established norms. The challenge for the Conservative Progressives will be finding common ground between these two forces.
In the context of the European Parliament, this alliance appears somewhat paradoxical. Europe’s political landscape is traditionally defined by clear left-right divides, with progressives seeking radical change and conservatives defending the status quo. But as the political climate grows increasingly polarized, the necessity for new, unconventional coalitions has emerged.
The Conservative Progressives aim to strike a balance between social and economic change while respecting cultural traditions. The central question is whether these seemingly disparate goals can coexist without fracturing the coalition. In an age of rising populism and shifting political tides, the grouping must find ways to navigate internal tensions and appeal to a broad constituency.
Despite the challenges, the formation of such a coalition signals a potential shift in European politics. It represents a new kind of pragmatism where political ideology is less about rigid adherence to one side of the spectrum and more about finding practical solutions to the continent’s most pressing issues. If successful, it could mark the rise of a new political breed in Europe that defies easy categorization.
Whether or not the Conservative Progressives can maintain their delicate balance remains to be seen. But their very existence highlights the evolving nature of European politics, where traditional political boundaries are being tested and redefined.