Global organizing efforts amplify conservative discussions on a larger scale, led by the head of the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC).

Conservatives, nationalists, and populists from both sides of the Atlantic are convening in Hungary today for the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC). The gathering comes as American hardliners view Hungary's prime minister, Viktor Orban, as an inspirational figure for their movement, bridging the transatlantic divide between right-wing groups on opposite continents.

Orban, who has taken a hard stance against the European Union bureaucracy and championed conservative social policies, opened the two-day meeting in Budapest with praise for President Trump. He hailed Trump as a catalyst for change, stating that his presidency had rejuvenated hope in the world and led to a sea change away from progressive values.

"The Trump tsunami swept across the world, transforming it entirely," Orban told conference attendees. "It gave the world renewed hope, letting us breathe again in this woke sea."

American conservative leader Matt Schlapp, the chairman of CPAC, credits Orban's electoral success to his commitment to conservative principles, particularly his stance on immigration. Schlapp also emphasized that international leaders now look to the United States for guidance and believes CPAC is expanding its footprint around the globe, with plans for future conferences in Australia, Japan, Argentina, Colombia, Mexico, and other countries.

However, Orban's policies have faced major criticism regarding democratic institutions. The European Commission has withheld billions of euros meant for Hungary over breaches of European Union law, while many member states seek tougher action against Hungary due to its effective ban on upcoming pride celebrations.

Despite such controversies, Orban has his champions, including Schlapp, who asserts that the success of Trump and Orban serves as evidence that conservative policies are the wave of the future.

Schlapp and NPR's Leila Fadel discussed the deepening ties between Trump's MAGA movement, Orban's Fidesz party in Hungary, and other right-wing movements across Europe during an interview in Budapest. Schlapp explained that their message was one of fighting for conservative values, with planned CPAC events in countries such as Poland, where Trump-branded apparel is prevalent among supporters.

Schlapp attributes the global appeal of conservative and nationalist movements to frustration with both established political parties and the perceived weakness of American leadership under President Biden. He contends that these movements will continue to grow in influence, with more populist conservative victories in the coming years as voters seek to combat what they perceive as autocratic global institutions.

When asked whether MAGA-like movements were desired in Europe, Schlapp said that in countries outside the United States, traditional center-right parties were seen as having failed their citizens. New parties are emerging, and Schlapp considers the growth of populist conservative movements in Europe to be a fascinating development.

Regarding Trumpism after Trump and a MAGA-like movement, Schlapp expressed the belief that those who dismiss it as a mere cult of personality or aberration are ignorant of political realities. According to Schlapp, if people do not pay attention to political trends, they will continue to be surprised by political developments. He believes that Donald Trump's success was inevitable, given widespread frustration with both political parties and the Democratic Party's perceived leftward shift.

Schlapp also addressed concerns about democratic institutions in Hungary, stressing his belief that global institutions such as the European Union, the United Nations, and the World Health Organization are the true autocrats dictating harmful foreign policies to countries like Hungary.

Finally, when asked if there were specific policies in Hungary that the United States should adopt, Schlapp pointed to Orban's success in reducing Hungary's abortion rate without changing the country's abortion laws. He acknowledged the ongoing debate within conservative circles about the focus of anti-abortion policies, emphasizing the need to provide economic and social support for young women to help them raise their children.

The Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Hungary is attracting attention due to American hardliners viewing Prime Minister Viktor Orban as an inspirational figure for their movement, bridging divides between right-wing groups on opposite continents.
During the CPAC meeting, Prime Minister Orban praised President Trump, likening his presidency to a rejuvenating tsunami that swept across the world and led to a shift away from progressive values.
Matt Schlapp, chairman of CPAC, attributes Orban's electoral success to his commitment to conservative principles, particularly his stance on immigration, and sees international leaders looking to the United States for guidance.
Despite controversy over Orban's policies, particularly regarding democratic institutions, Schlapp believes the success of Trump and Orban is evidence that conservative policies are the wave of the future, and that populist conservative movements will continue to grow in influence, particularly in Europe.

Global organizing efforts amplify conservative discussions on a larger scale, led by the head of the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC).