The ECR Group in the European Parliament launched its study days in Vilnius, Lithuania, bringing together MEPs and guests for a series of discussions on Europe’s cultural foundations, political direction and future challenges

Opening the event, Waldemar Tomaszewski, leader of the Lithuanian ECR delegation and organiser of the Study Days, placed Christianity at the centre of Europe’s civilisation and identity, arguing that Europe’s political and cultural future cannot be separated from its historic Christian roots. Tuesday’s discussion, moderated by Polish journalist, author and Christian commentator Paweł Lisicki, focused on the practical meaning of “fundamental values” in conservative politics. Lisicki asked participants what it means in practice when conservative politicians speak about defending Europe’s core values.

Carlo Fidanza, leader of the Italian ECR delegation, argued that conservative politicians have a particular responsibility to defend the value of life and freedom of expression for Christians across Europe.

“The European Union is often quick to defend religious freedoms outside the Union, but we must also defend the freedom of expression of Christians within Europe itself. Too often, parts of Europe’s Christian democratic tradition seem to forget their own roots when aligning with the left on fundamental cultural and societal questions,” Fidanza said.

Host Waldemar Tomaszewski stressed that Europe should not allow its Christian foundations to be gradually replaced by increasingly secular ideological trends.

“We should not allow Europe’s Christian values to be undermined or overwritten by ideologies that reduce human identity to purely material or ideological categories. Europe will only endure if it also remains Christian at its core,” Tomaszewski said.

Spanish ECR MEP Diego Solier pointed to what he described as a growing desacralisation of public life and argued that Europe risks losing an important part of its civilisational identity, particularly from the perspective of his home country Spain.

“In Spain, even moments of collective mourning increasingly lose their spiritual and cultural dimension, and that weakens the social fabric of our societies. The European Union should focus again on protecting the essential foundations of European civilisation,” Solier said.

The discussion also addressed the growing influence of left-wing and radical green NGOs on European public debate and policymaking. Some speakers stressed that the ECR Group could serve as a defender not only of Europe’s traditional values, but also of the European Treaties and the principle of subsidiarity, warning against a continued expansion of the European Commission’s competences beyond its original mandate.

Participants also discussed how European values and particularly family values in the context of Europe’s demographic crisis can be better conveyed to younger generations. The debate further touched upon possible alliances with other political groups in the European Parliament and the role the ECR Group can play in building parliamentary majorities.

The ECR Group Study Days continue until Friday with further discussions on demographics, sovereignty, transatlantic relations and Europe’s strategic future.