CPAC Hungary: Call for Peace, Rejection of Globalism & Support for Ukraine’s Sovereignty
Budapest – A joint appearance by Matt Schlapp, CEO of the Conservative Political Action Coalition (CPAC), and Miklós Szánthó, Director General of the Center for Fundamental Rights and chief organizer of CPAC Hungary, underscored the growing alliance between conservative movements in the United States and Hungary. The event, held on , signaled the preparations for the fourth iteration of CPAC Hungary, scheduled for .
Szánthó opened the proceedings by emphasizing the courage required to oppose conflict, positioning the Hungarian right and CPAC Hungary as proponents of peace. He stated, according to translated remarks, that Hungary is once again facing “blackmail, threats, and attacks” from both eastern and western powers. He further highlighted the challenges faced by the country, referencing what he described as “Ukrainian golden convoys” – a pointed allusion to external pressures related to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
“We know Brussels as bad money, but we are encountering the Ukrainian golden convoys for the first time. We are right both politically and morally. We have two basic assumptions: one, that this war is not our war, and the other, that we do not want anything bad for the Ukrainians and Ukraine, but in return we ask that they do not want anything bad for us.”
Szánthó asserted that Hungary’s current position – resisting certain pressures related to the war in Ukraine – is due to the stance taken by the country’s right-wing forces. He specifically credited Hungary with preventing Daniel Freund, a member of the European Parliament, from being “in a trench in the Donbas,” suggesting a role in mitigating escalation or involvement in the conflict.
Schlapp, whose organization has overseen CPAC events since , acknowledged the “special relationship” between Hungarian and American conservatives, suggesting that the latter could even learn from their Hungarian counterparts. He lauded the impact of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, describing him as the first leader to openly challenge issues such as mass illegal migration and globalism, thereby paving the way for others to follow suit.
While a CPAC event is planned for Dallas in the near future, Schlapp noted that Orbán has a “good reason” not to attend, citing significant responsibilities within Hungary. Schlapp then quoted Orbán, stating, “The globalists can move to hell, and I am going to Texas.”
This quote, according to Schlapp, encapsulates the spirit of defiance against perceived globalist agendas.
Schlapp also stressed the fragility of the conservative coalition being built, warning against complacency. He cautioned that the left is actively seeking to undermine this coalition and urged vigilance to prevent fragmentation. He emphasized the importance of addressing disagreements within the conservative community through platforms like CPAC, fostering dialogue and maintaining unity.
The event took place against a backdrop of shifting geopolitical dynamics. Szánthó described a global “regime change” underway, where the dominance of the West is being challenged. He framed the recent election of Donald Trump in the United States and the formation of the “Patriots for Europe” faction in the European Parliament as significant victories for conservatives in , declaring it “a great year for conservatives around the world.” He posited that the “Age of Patriots” can only endure if conservative movements on both sides of the Atlantic converge and reinforce each other.
The emphasis on a shared conservative agenda and the perceived challenges from external forces suggest a deliberate effort to consolidate support and present a united front. The upcoming CPAC Hungary event is likely to serve as a key platform for furthering this agenda, bringing together conservative leaders and activists from across Europe and the United States. The event’s focus, as indicated by the slogan “the Age of Patriots” prominently displayed during the press conference, signals a commitment to nationalist and conservative principles in the face of what is portrayed as a broader ideological struggle.
The alliance highlighted by Schlapp and Szánthó reflects a broader trend of transatlantic conservative networking. CPAC’s expansion into Europe, particularly Hungary, has drawn attention from observers concerned about the spread of illiberal ideologies and the potential impact on democratic norms. Hungary, under Orbán’s leadership, has increasingly positioned itself as a key player in challenging the prevailing liberal consensus within the European Union, and the partnership with CPAC provides a valuable platform for amplifying this message internationally.