Rightwing Leaders Endorse Viktor Orbán in Hungarian Election Campaign Video

THE GUARDIAN: Italy’s Giorgia Meloni and France’s Marine Le Pen among figures showing support for Hungary’s prime minister

Rightwing leaders from around the world have come together to endorse Hungary’s Viktor Orbán, hinting at the symbolism that the country’s elections hold for global far-right movements even as the populist leader lags in the polls.

A campaign video published online by Orbán this week includes endorsements from nearly a dozen leaders including Italy’s Giorgia Meloni and Matteo Salvini, France’s Marine Le Pen and Germany’s Alice Weidel.

“Europe needs Viktor Orbán,” Weidel, a co-leader of the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD), tells viewers.

Le Pen, the former leader of France’s far-right National Rally party, piles praise on the leader who once described Hungary as a “petri dish for illiberalism”. “Thanks to leaders like Viktor Orbán, the camp of patriots and defenders of nations and sovereign peoples is achieving ever greater success in Europe,” she says.

Meloni, in turn, seeks to highlight the similarities she shares with Orbán: “Together we stand for a Europe that respects national sovereignty [and] is proud of its cultural and religious roots.”

…

Orbán, who has long faced criticism for weakening democratic institutions, eroding media freedom and undermining the rule of law, is facing an unprecedented challenge from a former top member of his own party, Péter Magyar. » | Ashifa Kassam | Friday, January 16, 2026

One thing I notice is that Giorgia Meloni and these other politicians endorsing traditional lifestyles are no strangers to hypocrisy. It seems to be a case of… ‘don’t do as I do; do as I say.’

If Hungarians are wise, they will replace Viktor Orbán with a more moderate leader. Orbán needs a rest from politics; and Europe needs a rest from his politics! Europeans are surely tired of his fossilized thinking. As for those endorsements, I am not so sure that an endorsement from Javier Milei, the leader of Argentina with his anarcho-capitalistic ideas, is very reassuring to the Hungarian electorate! And do the others really live up to the principles they espouse? A quick Google-search of these characters tells you all you need to know. — © Mark Alexander

The Interview: The Outgoing Ambassador to Hungary Is Alarmed by What He Has Seen »

Hungary: The Truth behind the Conservative Fantasy

Nov 3, 2025 | Conservatives often point to Hungary as a model of Christian values, national strength, and anti-woke politics. But the reality is very different. In this video, I break down the myth and expose the truth.

Hungary is the most corrupt country in the EU. Its economy is weak, its media is controlled, and its government is authoritarian. Orbán’s regime uses conservative branding while enriching itself, silencing critics, and aligning with Russia and China.

Hungary is not a success story. It is a warning.

„Wir lieben Viktor“ und Meloni „ist schön“: Trump stiehlt dem Gaza-Gipfel die Show

BERLINER ZEITUNG: Beim Gaza-Gipfel sprach Donald Trump über Frieden, Schönheit und Stärke. Mit Komplimenten für Giorgia Meloni und Lob für Viktor Orbán lenkte er die Aufmerksamkeit auf sich.

Beim Nahost-Gipfel im ägyptischen Badeort Scharm el-Scheich hat US-Präsident Donald Trump mit einer Mischung aus Charmeoffensive und Bühnenshow für Irritationen gesorgt. Der 79-Jährige lobte die italienische Regierungschefin Giorgia Meloni in seiner Rede als „schöne junge Frau“ und rief dem ungarischen Ministerpräsidenten Viktor Orbán zu: „Wir lieben Viktor. Du bist fantastisch.“ Internationale Beobachter werteten den Auftritt als Inszenierung, die von den eigentlichen Friedensgesprächen ablenkte.

„Es macht Ihnen nichts aus, wenn man Sie schön nennt, stimmt’s? Denn Sie sind es“, sagte Trump zu Meloni, die als einzige Frau unter rund 30 Staats- und Regierungschefs an dem Treffen teilnahm. Eigentlich dürfe er so etwas gar nicht sagen, weil solche Äußerungen normalerweise das Ende einer politischen Karriere bedeuteten, er gehe das Risiko aber trotzdem ein, sagte Trump inmitten seiner Rede über die Friedensbemühungen im Nahen Osten. Anschließend fügte der US-Präsident noch hinzu, die ihm politisch nahe stehende rechtspopulistische Regierungschefin sei „unglaublich“: „Und sie respektieren sie wirklich in Italien. Sie ist eine sehr erfolgreiche Politikerin.“ » | Alexander Schmalz | Dienstag, 14. Oktober 2025

Der Faschist Trump liebt andere Faschisten. Das ist nicht etwas Überraschendes. Eigentlich ist es etwas zu erwarten. Noch dazu: Trump findet Giorgia Meloni schön. Trump liebt schöne oder hübsche Frauen. Das haben wir schon lange gewusst. Meloni hat blondes Haar. Blond ähnelt Gold. Und Trump hat eine große Schwäche für alles Goldene! Schauen Sie mal das Oval Office an! — © Mark Alexander

Viktor Orban’s ‘Propaganda State’ Is Starting to Show Cracks

THE NEW YORK TIMES: The Hungarian leader has secured power by keeping control over the news media. Now, a political opponent is starting to show the limits of his tactics.

Prime Minister Viktor Orban of Hungary has long been hailed as a model by right-wing politicians in the United States and Europe, lauded for a string of election victories and his crackdowns on migrants and on activists pushing progressive social issues.

“It’s nice to have a strong man running your country,” President Trump said last year of Mr. Orban, who has been in power for 15 years.

Mr. Orban’s strength, reinforced by a sprawling propaganda machine geared to the destruction of his opponents, has seen off would-be rivals on both the left and the right in four consecutive elections.

Now for the first time, however, he is struggling to land a knockout blow on his enemies.

His most potent current rival, Peter Magyar, a former loyalist who heads a surging opposition movement, has in recent months been savaged by media controlled by Mr. Orban’s Fidesz party as an abusive husband, a traitor, a crook and a sex pest.

The nonstop vilification — described by Mr. Magyar as a “tsunami of lies” — has been surprising in only one respect: It has not worked. » | Andrew Higgins | Reporting from Budapest and Hodmezovasarhely, Hungary | Sunday, October 12, 2025

Absurder „Kinderschutz“: Viktor Orbán attackiert Menschenrechte – und die EU | RTL DOKU

Jun 18, 2025 | Putin in Russland, Trump in den USA - und Viktor Orbán in der EU?

Ungarns Ministerpräsident Viktor Orbán tanzt der EU immer wieder auf der Nase herum. EU-Abgeordnete aus Brüssel unterstellen ihm, ein Verbündeter von Putin zu sein. Außerdem blockiert er immer wieder Entscheidungen in der EU. Mittlerweile wächst die Zahl der Unterstützer für Orbán - wie geht es weiter zwischen Ungarn und der EU?

Außerdem treibt Orbáns Haltung zu LGBTQ-Themen die angespannte Beziehung auf den Höhepunkt. Seit Jahren diskriminiert seine Politik queere Menschen. Jetzt will Viktor Orbán die Pride-Parade in Budapest verbieten. Es gibt massive Kritik aus Brüssel - und auch die Menschen in Budapest nehmen das nicht einfach hin. Sie gehen auf die Straßen und protestieren für ihre Rechte und für die Demokratie in Ungarn.

Wird die Pride in Budapest stattfinden? 🏳️‍🌈 Mehr dazu erfahrt ihr in der Reportage.


Orbán ist ein Problem für die EU, so wie Trump ein Problem für die Welt ist. Stellen Sie sich eine Welt ohne diese Unruhestifter vor. Wie schön wäre die Welt! – © Mark Alexander

Dozens of MEPs to Attend Budapest Pride in Defiance of Viktor Orbán

THE GUARDIAN: As many as 70 said to be planning to show solidarity at LGBTQ+ march after Hungary’s PM tried to ban it

Dozens of MEPs are expected to attend the Pride march in Budapest this month, in defiance of the Hungarian prime minister, Viktor Orbán, who has tried to ban the event.

In a debate in the European parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs from liberal, left and green groups pledged to be in Budapest on 28 June for the parade to show solidarity with gay Hungarians.

The pledges came after the city’s mayor said the event would go ahead, circumventing a law that allows police to ban LGBTQ+ marches. Gergely Karácsony said on Monday that the march would be a municipal event – and a celebration of freedom – so “no permits from authorities are needed”.

“In this city, there are no first- or second-class citizens … neither freedom, nor love can be banned, and the Budapest Pride cannot be banned either,” Karácsony said. » | Jennifer Rankin in Brussels | Wednesday, June 18, 2025

Isn’t it high time that Viktor Orbán went into retirement? The international political stage is no place either for people with mediæval thinking or for fossils. – © Mark Alexander

Viktor Orbán and the Transatlantic Assault on Democracy - Amb. John Shattuck

Mar 15, 2025

"Are We Sleepwalking into Autocracy?" Trump Embraces Authoritarian Playbook of Hungary's Orbán

Feb 12, 2025 | Is Trump embracing the authoritarian playbook of far-right Hungarian dictator Viktor Orbán? Princeton professor Kim Lane Scheppele walks us through Orbán's sudden rise to power and how the Trump administration's recent actions appear to follow his anti-democratic "blueprint," with Trump "echoing a lot of Orbán's rhetoric," consolidating power in the executive branch and bypassing federal checks and balances. "Trump is trying to break things quickly," says Scheppele, a professor of sociology and international affairs at Princeton University. She also notes Orbán's involvement in the right-wing Project 2025 initiative and his adoption of the motto "Make Europe Great Again" during Hungary's presidency of the Council of the European Union last year as further evidence of the close ties between the two leaders. As Orbán works to "consolidate this movement of anti-democratic far-right forces" in Europe, warns Scheppele, Trump is tightening his grasp on the other side of the Atlantic.

Democracy Now! can be supported here.

In Speech, Orbán Hails Trump Victory and Declares Brussels His Key Adversary

EUROACTIV: Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán delivered his annual State of the Nation speech today in which he declared the Trump administration an inspiration for Hungary, the war in Ukraine nearly at its end, and Brussels the only enemy left for his country.

In the speech in Budapest today, Orbán called US President Donald Trump “our comrade-in-arm” and attacked what he claimed the “double standards” of EU politicians.

Ukraine, a “buffer zone” between NATO and Russia

Orbán placed his trust in Trump's push for a peace deal with Russia, and said that with the war in Ukraine now concluding, the issue is now what comes afterwards – and the question, as he put it, of the “territory” of Ukraine, as a “buffer zone ” between NATO and Russia.

The European Union and American liberals would be foolish to believe that Russia would ideally sit back if Ukraine tried to join to NATO, Orbán said. Instead, he said, Ukraine would once again become a “buffer zone”.

He also asserted that Hungary would vehemently oppose EU membership for Ukraine either if joining could harm Hungarian farmers and businesses. "Ukraine will not join NATO, and whether it joins the EU is up to us," he declared. » | Anupriya Datta, Euractiv | Saturday, Fdebruary 22, 2025

Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán on USAID, Trump, Immigration, NATO, and the Russia-Ukraine War

Feb 14, 2025 | “Hungary’s Viktor Orbán is by far the longest-serving head of state in Europe, and by this point has been vindicated on pretty much everything. So when he says that going forward it’s Ukraine, not Russia, that may be the biggest threat to the West, it’s worth paying attention.” – Tucker Carlson

Hungary PM Viktor Orbán to Meet AfD Party Leader Alice Weidel | BBC News

Feb 11, 2025 | Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, is due to meet the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party leader, Alice Weidel, in Budapest.

Weidel's far right party shares Alban’s desire to rebuild their relations with Russia, despite the ongoing Ukraine war, as well as his strong anti-immigration stance.

The meeting comes less than two weeks before a parliamentary election in Germany in which the AfD is expected to come a strong second.

The World Order Is about to Change as President Musk Seizes Office

Jan 17, 2025 | Trump, Musk, Vance, Putin and Orbán seize American freedom as 'day one' approaches and democracy dies in darkness. Anthony Davis reports.

Five Minute News can be supported on Patreon here.

As Trump Enters the Fray, the Danger Is that a Nationalist Europe Will Fragment, Not Stick Together

THE GUARDIAN: Rightwing leaders such as Meloni and Orbán set themselves up as Trump whisperers – but they only want to preserve their own interests

Afar-right wind is blowing across the Atlantic. While the rise of the populist right in Europe predated Donald Trump’s re-election, far-right parties, leaders and governments across Europe are being bolstered by his imminent return to power, and by Elon Musk’s rising political star. There is some hope that Trump’s presidency could have a unifying effect on Europe – and on issues such as defence policy, I believe it might.

Trump’s apparent disregard for international law, sovereign borders and the US’s Nato allies with his ludicrous threat, even before his second term begins, to annex Greenland by force, drew a swift and unified reaction from France, Germany and Spain, whose leaders made it clear that they are, as you would expect, appalled and standing with Denmark. Germany’s chancellor, Olaf Scholz, said Trump’s remarks had triggered “incomprehension” among European leaders.

But in areas such as trade, technology and space, there is a much higher chance that a more nationalistic Europe, confronted by a predatory divide-and-rule US, will fragment rather than stick together. And this is exactly what the Trump-Musk axis seems to be after. » | Nathalie Tocci | Monday, January 13, 2025

Isn’t it high time that God did His thing? – © Mark Alexander

‘Cautionary Tale’: Trump Wants to ‘Remake America’ — Like This Recession-plagued Country

Nov 26, 2024 | Donald Trump is inspired by Hungary and its leader Viktor Orbán, seeking to remake America using authoritarian policies similar to his, critics say.

Mr Orbán, We Want Our Money Back! No More EU Funds for Hungary! Daniel Freund

Oct 15, 2024

Trump's Favourite European Ally Just Got BRUTALLY Roasted

Oct 10, 2024 | European lawmakers respond to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's speech at the European Parliament.


What did I write yesterday? That Orbán is Putin’s marionette. Click here – Mark

Hungary's Orban Says Corks Will Pop If Trump Wins US Election! MEPs Reply Singing 'Bella Ciao'

Oct 9, 2024

Es redet Putins Marionette! – © Mark Alexander

Orbán's concern for the rights of gays in the EU due to illegal immigration is a bit rich, isn't it? Especially when the rights of gays in Hungary leave so much to be desired. Check out this article by Human Rights Watch as just one example of Orbán’s faux concern for gay rights in the EU!

LGBT Rights Under Renewed Pressure in Hungary: Children Harmed in the Name of Protection »

And this one:

As Governments Demonize LGBTQ+ Rights, Children Lose the Most »

EU Debates: Ursula von der Leyen Attacks Orbán’s Support for Russia in Fiery Speech to European Parliament

Ocy 9, 2024

‘This Is Not the Eurovision.’ Orban Gets a Hostile Serenade

THE NEW YORK TIMES: Some European Parliament members sang “Bella Ciao,” a song associated with antifascism, for Prime Minister Viktor Orban of Hungary until ordered to stop.

For years, Prime Minister Viktor Orban of Hungary, a champion of “illiberal democracy,” has taken swipes at the European Union and its officials.

And they have not been shy about criticizing him back.

On Wednesday, at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, some members took that to a new level — in song. As Mr. Orban arrived at the Parliament to deliver a speech, progressives greeted him with a rendition of “Bella Ciao,” an Italian antifascist resistance song from the World War II-era.

Their musical taunt, which lasted for less than a minute, was shut down by the president of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, as other members more politically in tune with the conservative Mr. Orban chanted slogans supporting him.

“This is not the Eurovision,” Ms. Metsola told the chamber. She wryly noted that the song was more “Money Heist,” a Spanish television series about a bank heist that features the haunting music of “Bella Ciao,” than Abba, the Swedish pop group that was propelled to fame after winning Eurovision 50 years ago. » | Jenny Gross, Reporting from Brussels | Wednesday, October 9, 2024

America and Hungary, a Far-Right Love Affair

Aug 20, 2024 | Matthew Cassel travels to Budapest during Viktor Orban’s reelection to explore why so many right-wing Americans are traveling to Hungary, and what they hope to learn from Central Europe’s most autocratic ruler. This segment is from the show ‘VICE’ which originally aired in May 2022.