Conservatives to Convene in Budapest for CPAC

In a month and a half—a handful of days before millions of Hungarians make their way to the polls to elect a new government—eminent figures from the national-conservative camps in North America, Europe, and South America will convene in Budapest for this year’s 48th annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC).

For the first time in its nearly half-century-long history, the conference—which describes itself as the largest and most influential gathering of conservatives in the world—will hold an affiliated event in the Hungarian capital to underscore the continued formation of multinational anti-globalist front and to strengthen ties among right-wing forces, Hírado reports.

While speaking at a recent press conference, Miklós Szánthó, the director of the Center for Fundamental Rights, said the CPAC 2022—set to be held at the historic Castle Garden Bazaar in Budapest on March 25th and 26th—will welcome U.S. Republican lawmakers; Santiago Abascal, the leader of Spain’s national-conservative VOX party; Eduardo Bolsonaro, a federal legislator and the son of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro; U.S. political and intellectual leaders; as well as heads of European research institutes, think tanks, and media outfits.

The conference, which Szánthó hopes will act as a “connection point” for conservatives, will feature Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán as the keynote speaker. 

The overarching theme of CPAC Hungary 2022 is the preservation of “God, family, and homeland,” all of which are “under comprehensive attack,” Szánthó said, adding that Hungarian and American conservatives are united by a respect for and wish to conserve traditional values, love of homeland and preeminence of family, as well as national security and border protection. 

“A struggle is needed because we are living in an era of a new ideological cold war. It is clear and perceptible in Europe that the idea of ​​God, family, and homeland are under comprehensive attack, and that sovereign, traditionalist forces are opposed to globalist forces, while Europe is denying the past from which its prosperity and wealth derive.”

“What is left of the real Europe is here in Central Europe, for the preservation of which the organization, which currently consists of institutions from five countries, will do, and all organizations that are brave enough to oppose the sensitization policy are expected to apply and join.”

Political ties between Central Europe and the United States have remained solid after being strengthened under Donald Trump’s tenure as U.S. President. It’s no secret that Central European leaders like Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, Polish President Andrzej Duda, and Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša were, among European leaders, President Trump’s most stalwart supporters.

Donald Trump, while out of office, has reciprocated that support—especially to Prime Minister Orbán. At the beginning of this year, a few months ahead of Hungary’s parliamentary elections, Trump threw his weight behind Orbán, showering the prime minister with praise and officially endorsing him for reelection. 

Viktor Orbán “truly loves his country and wants safety for his people,” Trump wrote in a statement. 

“He has done a powerful and wonderful job in protecting Hungary, stopping illegal immigration, creating jobs, trade, and should be allowed to continue to do so in the upcoming election. He is a strong leader and respected by all. He has my Complete support and Endorsement for reelection as Prime Minister!”