Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, in a speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Budapest, urged right-wing forces to unite against the "liberal world spirit" and voiced support for former US President Donald Trump amid his ongoing legal troubles.
Orbán's Speech at CPAC Budapest
Addressing CPAC attendees, Orbán complained that conservatives across the West—himself and Trump in particular—are under attack from a "hegemonic liberal order."
He positioned the upcoming EU and US elections as an opportunity to usher in a new "era of sovereignty."
Orbán's speech was part of the opening session of CPAC, an annual event that has become a rallying point for conservative and far-right movements.
"The world order is changing, and we must bring our cause to triumph in the midst of this change," Orbán declared. "Progressive liberals are in danger. Replacing this era means replacing themselves."
He called on conservatives to use this moment to initiate a shift away from liberal ideologies.
Support for Donald Trump
Orbán expressed direct support for Donald Trump, referencing the criminal case against him in a New York court, where he is facing charges related to hush money payments. The Hungarian Prime Minister described the situation as a case of "state institutions being used as a weapon" against Trump.
"Let's restore America's greatness, let's restore Europe's greatness! Go, Donald Trump, go, European sovereignists! Let's saddle our horses, put on our armor, go to the battlefield, and start the electoral battle!" Orbán urged.
CPAC's Background and Influence
CPAC is a prominent conservative event that began in 1974, attracting representatives from far-right, nationalist, and other right-leaning movements.
In recent years, it has served as a platform for conservative leaders like Orbán to promote their agendas and forge alliances with like-minded individuals.
Budapest hosted CPAC for the third time. At the 2022 event, Orbán described Hungary as "a bastion of conservative Christian values in Europe" and called on American conservatives to defeat "the dominance of progressive liberals in public life."
