Summary:
The Save Europe Act, launched in late May 2026, is a European Citizens’ Initiative led by Eva Vlaardingerbroek and supported by Hermes Medienförderung e.V. under Vincenzo Richter. The initiative seeks to enshrine the rights of native Europeans, implement remigration policies for non-European migrants, restore national sovereignty over border management, and restrict welfare incentives for migrants, citing Article 4(2) of the Treaty on European Union as its legal basis. The petition surpassed 100,000 signatures within its first few days and is targeting one million signatures for European Commission consideration. The campaign is a direct response to significant demographic changes in Western and Northern European states, where foreign-born populations have reached historic highs. These high levels of immigration and demographic changes have increased pressure on welfare systems, housing, and public services, as well as persistent integration challenges. The initiative has received endorsements from Viktor Orbán, senior figures from Germany’s AfD, France’s National Rally, Italy’s Lega, Spain’s Vox, and grassroots identitarian organizations.
Detailed Report
1. Definition and Core Objectives of the Save Europe Act
The Save Europe Act is a formally registered European Citizens’ Initiative designed to prompt EU-level legislative action on migration and national identity. Its four core objectives are: (a) enshrining the rights of native Europeans within EU law; (b) implementing a comprehensive remigration policy for non-European migrants; (c) restoring national sovereignty over border management; and (d) restricting welfare incentives for migrants. The initiative is grounded in Article 4(2) of the Treaty on European Union, which requires the EU to respect the national identities and constitutional structures of its member states. The campaign is led by Eva Vlaardingerbroek, with organizational support from Hermes Medienförderung e.V. under Vincenzo Richter.
2. Demographic Context: Foreign-Born Populations in Western and Northern Europe
The emergence of the Save Europe Act is closely linked to demographic shifts in several Western and Northern European countries. According to the most recent data from Eurostat and national statistics offices:
· Germany’s foreign-born population reached 17.15 million by the end of 2025, accounting for 20.5% of the total population. The country recorded an annual immigration inflow of over 1.24 million in 2025.
· Sweden’s foreign-born population stood at 2.20 million (20.8%), with 95,940 new immigrants in 2025.
· Austria reported 2.07 million foreign-born residents (22.5%), with Vienna’s share exceeding 40%.
· Belgium’s foreign-born population was 2.40 million (20.3%), with Brussels reporting nearly 41% foreign-born residents.
· The Netherlands had 3.02 million foreign-born residents (16.8%), with a net migration gain of 95,000 in 2025.
· France’s foreign-born population was 9.63 million (14%), with 439,000 new immigrants in 2024.
Across these countries, local authorities have reported increased pressure on welfare systems, housing, and public services, as well as persistent integration challenges. These demographic trends are cited by supporters of the Save Europe Act as the primary rationale for the initiative.
3. Petition Signature Milestones
The Save Europe Act petition surpassed 100,000 signatures within its first few days of launch in late May 2026. Organizers are targeting one million signatures, the threshold required for the European Commission to formally consider the proposal. The campaign’s rapid accumulation of support is attributed to coordinated efforts by political leaders, party networks, and grassroots organizations across Europe.
4. Organizers and Leadership Structure
Eva Vlaardingerbroek serves as the principal organizer and public spokesperson for the Save Europe Act. The campaign’s legal and organizational support is provided by Hermes Medienförderung e.V., a German association led by Vincenzo Richter. The initiative is coordinated through an official website and a decentralized network of volunteers and partner organizations across Europe.
5. Political and Grassroots Supporters
The Save Europe Act has attracted support from a broad coalition of political leaders and parties. Viktor Orbán, former Prime Minister of Hungary, publicly signed the Act and called for other European leaders to do the same. Senior figures from Germany’s Alternative für Deutschland (AfD), including Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla, have endorsed the initiative. France’s National Rally, led by Jordan Bardella, Italy’s Lega under Matteo Salvini, and Spain’s Vox under Santiago Abascal have also expressed support. Grassroots backing has come from identitarian organizations such as Generation Identity networks in Germany and Austria, Les Identitaires in France, and Identitäre Bewegung Österreich, which have played a central role in signature drives and public mobilization.
Conclusion
The Save Europe Act has rapidly become a focal point in European debates over migration, identity, and sovereignty. Its emergence is directly linked to the scale and impact of mass immigration in key Western and Northern European states, and its rapid accumulation of signatures and endorsements from political leaders and grassroots organizations underscores the ongoing salience of these issues across the continent.