169. Global right-wing leaders come together
Right-wing leaders worldwide speak the same language.
They are eager to grow their club membership and seize every opportunity to promote one another.
They have now come together to back Viktor Orbán of Hungary, highlighting the importance of Hungary’s elections for international far-right groups.
The Hungarian elections are scheduled for April 12.
Viktor Orbán made headlines for his attempt to ban Pride events and further clamp down on independent media and NGOs. He has faced criticism for weakening democratic institutions, curbing media freedom, and undermining the rule of law.
Orbán is believed to have a close relationship with Vladimir Putin and is sometimes called Putin’s Trojan horse within the EU.
A group of about twelve leaders, including Italy’s Giorgia Meloni and Matteo Salvini, France’s Marine Le Pen, and Germany’s Alice Weidel, have publicly come out in his support, releasing a video.
In the video, Meloni says of Orbán: “Together, we stand for a Europe that respects national sovereignty and is proud of its cultural and religious roots.”
Le Pen, the former head of France’s far-right National Rally, is leading this campaign.
Despite describing Hungary earlier as a “petri dish for illiberalism,” she now says, “Thanks to leaders like Viktor Orbán, the group of patriots and defenders of nations and sovereign peoples is gaining more success in Europe.”
Weidel, a co-leader of the far-right Alternative für Deutschland, says, “Europe needs Viktor Orbán.”
Orban and his Fidesz party face a major challenge from Péter Magyar, a lesser-known politician, as Hungary grapples with economic stagnation, rising living costs, and declining social services.
The leaders shown in the video include the head of Austria’s Freedom Party, the Czech Prime Minister, and the presidents of Serbia and Argentina.
US President Donald Trump does not appear in the video; however, in a letter, he wishes Orban “the best of luck” in the election campaign and expressed that “You have always stood firm to defend the principles that make Hungary such a tremendous place – faith, family, and sovereignty.”
The video shows Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, who says, “security cannot be taken for granted; it must be earned,” and characterizes Orbán as possessing the qualities necessary to defend his country.
However, Hungry is in the news for other reasons, too.
László Krasznahorkai received this year’s Nobel Prize in Literature, but like many Hungarian artists and writers today, he no longer resides in his home country. He criticizes the government, calling it “a psychiatric case” due to its conflicting stance on Russia and Ukraine.
In an interview, Krasznahorkai likened Hungary to an alcoholic parent. “My mother drinks; she loses her beauty; she fights,” he said. “Still, I love her.”
Authors argue that Viktor Orbán’s government is creating a hostile and repressive environment, endorsing right-wing, controversial writers, and including them in the national curriculum.
Many Hungarian intellectuals have emigrated. Gergely Péterfy, an award-winning author, is among them. He says, “In the past 15 years, it has become very difficult to live in Hungary because of Orbán’s anti-culture stance.”
Since Fidesz came to power, government officials have taken control of universities, galleries, and major media outlets. The national cultural fund has transitioned from supporting independent unions and publications to backing pro-government journalists and writers.
In this state of affairs, what can we do except wait for the election results?