Orbán Defends Patriotic Europe Vision at CPAC Hungary Amid EU Funding Threats

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán continues to position himself as a leading figure for conservative and nationalist movements, both in Europe and among U.S. right-wing circles. At CPAC Hungary, Orbán rejected what he called a globalist, pro-war plan for Europe, advocating instead for a patriotic vision that includes peace and opposition to Ukraine joining the EU, with support from former U.S. officials like Jason Miller praising his stance on sovereignty and migration. Despite this, Orbán's government faces accusations of authoritarianism, with critics pointing to judicial reforms, suppression of independent media, and restrictions on civil society, labeling Hungary an electoral autocracy. This tension is reflected in the EU, where German Chancellor Friedrich Merz threatened to cut EU funds to Hungary and Slovakia over their divergent policies on Russia and Ukraine, underscoring a broader conflict between nationalist states and the EU's centralized agenda. Meanwhile, far-right figures like Romanian politician George Simion have linked Orbán's political future to broader regional elections, warning that a loss for nationalist allies could lead to a shift toward dictatorship across Europe. These developments highlight the ongoing struggle between nationalist-populist movements and more traditional liberal democratic forces within Europe and their transatlantic connections.