BUDAPEST, Hungary — On Wednesday, Hungary’s nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orbán hosted Alice Weidel, a candidate for chancellor from Germany’s far-right party, Alternative for Germany (AfD), in what is considered an unusual display of support from a current European leader for a party that mainstream German politicians are striving to keep at bay.
Orbán conducted the meeting with Weidel at the opulent Carmelite Monastery, his official residence, where they engaged in discussions throughout the morning. Following their meeting, Orbán expressed in a news conference that the support for the AfD in Germany has now reached a point where collaboration with other political parties might become feasible. Traditionally, most European parties have distanced themselves from the AfD due to its far-right stance.
During the conference, Orbán boldly declared, “It’s completely clear that the AfD is the future,” suggesting that the party’s policies on various issues, including immigration and economic matters, would be advantageous for Hungary if implemented in Germany. This meeting marked a shift in Orbán’s approach, as he had previously opted to maintain a degree of separation from the AfD despite sharing similar views on topics like immigration and skepticism about the European Union’s influence on member states.
Before the press conference, Orbán took to social media, stating, “Today I met the future of Germany. It was an honour to welcome you in Budapest, Chairwoman Alice Weidel!”
Germany is set to hold an early election on February 23, following the collapse of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s three-party coalition in November due to disagreements on revitalizing the nation’s sluggish economy. Recent polling suggests that the AfD is currently positioned second in voter preference, garnering approximately 20% support. Nevertheless, other political parties have indicated a reluctance to collaborate with it, making Weidel’s chances of ascending to power unlikely.
Weidel described Hungary as “a symbol for us” and articulated her desire for her own country to reflect similar values of reason, sovereignty, and independence. She added, “Hungary is the bulwark against illegal migration, and we as Alternative for Germany also want no illegal migration in our country anymore.”
Both leaders shared sharp criticisms of the European Union’s immigration and climate policies, claiming these strategies hinder the economic performance of Europe. Orbán went so far as to state that these policies should be “thrown out.”
The decision by Orbán to meet with Weidel aligns with recent external support for the AfD, despite the party being monitored by Germany’s domestic intelligence agency due to allegations of extremism, which the AfD adamantly disputes. In December, tech magnate Elon Musk faced backlash for endorsing the AfD, a sentiment he amplified in January through a livestream interaction with Weidel on his X social media platform, during which he encouraged voters to back the AfD in the elections.
In response to the AfD’s rising influence, substantial protests have erupted across Germany, where demonstrators demand that the mainstream political parties adhere to an unspoken commitment to avoid any legislative dependence on far-right party support.
