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Orbán backs Polish nationalist presidential candidate, unveils conservative EU ‘patriotic plan’

29.05.2025 15:00
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán on Thursday threw his weight behind Polish nationalist presidential contender Karol Nawrocki and set out a “patriotic plan” he said should “transform” the European Union along hard-right lines.
A handout photo made available by the Hungarian Prime Ministers Office General Department of Communication shows Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orban delivering his opening address at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) Hungary in Budapest, Hungary, 29 May 2025.
A handout photo made available by the Hungarian Prime Minister's Office General Department of Communication shows Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orban delivering his opening address at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) Hungary in Budapest, Hungary, 29 May 2025.EPA/ZOLTAN FISCHER/HUNGARIAN PM GENERAL COMMUNICATION DEPARTMENT

“Long live Nawrocki,” Orbán told delegates at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Hungary, four days before Poland’s 1 June run-off in which nationalist challenger Nawrocki trails liberal Warsaw mayor Rafał Trzaskowski in most polls.

The Hungarian leader, a close ally of U.S. President Donald Trump, said Trump’s January return to the White House had “changed the world” and emboldened conservatives across Europe. Trump, in a recorded greeting, hailed Orbán as “a great man.”

“Take Europe back from migrants”

Unveiling his EU blueprint, Orbán repeated his opposition to Ukrainian membership, joint eurozone taxation or borrowing and what he called Brussels’ encroachment on national sovereignty.

“We want to take Europe back from migrants. We want a Christian culture, schools based on national principles,” he said to applause.

Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski responded to Orbán's voice of support for Nawrocki. He posted on X: "Congratulations on the support from Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, Karol Nawrocki. Will you pursue a similar policy towards Putin and the European Union?"

With Hungary itself heading for a tough election in early 2026, Orbán has sharpened attacks on the media and LGBTQ+ rights. He used CPAC to endorse other populist allies, welcoming former Czech prime minister Andrej Babiš and trailing an address later in the day by Slovakia’s nationalist PM, Robert Fico.

Nawrocki’s endorsement underscores Orbán’s bid to build a bloc of like-minded leaders inside the EU, even as Poland’s Civic Coalition government under Prime Minister Donald Tusk seeks closer integration with Brussels.

(jh)

Source: Reuters, RMF24