The controversial Hungarian leader will be warmly received when he addresses US Republicans.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban may have alienated his EU neighbours, who accuse him of undermining democracy, but he will get a warm reception thousands of miles away at a conservative conference in Texas on Thursday. How did this unlikely love affair blossom?"So apart from the fact that we laughed a lot… he wasn't just interested in what I had to say, he really wanted to understand.
Alone among EU leaders in 2016, he backed Donald Trump for the White House. Alone among EU leaders, he repeatedly criticises Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. And alone among EU leaders, he slams sanctions on Russian oil and gas as doing more to harm the EU than Russia.A Nato member since 2009, his government refuses to send arms to Ukraine, or allow the shipment of arms from other countries across Hungarian territory.
Orban grew up in a typical rural Communist-era family in the villages of Felcsut and Alcsutdoboz, south of the Hungarian capital. Brought up mostly by his grandparents, his sports teacher was the first to recognise his footballing skills, and took him to the nearby city of Szekesfehervar to buy him his first football boots.Their common interest in the poor and downtrodden of Hungary brought Orban the politician and Hegedus the sociologist together.
A hallmark of his years in power has been his unceasing conflict with the European Union, which Hungary joined in 2004. He loves to rail against "the Brussels bureaucrats" as much as Donald Trump enjoys provoking US liberals. But Hegedus believes he has got carried away by his own rhetoric. She blames his American former campaign adviser, Arthur J Finkelstein, who was a Republican pollster.
Orban was "discovered" by Republicans as late as 2021, despite his earlier contacts with the Trump White House, and collaboration with former Trump adviser Steve Bannon in 2019.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
The new trailer for BBC’s Red Rose explores the terrifying power of the dark webWe finally have our first look at the cast of rising talent in upcoming BBC horror series Red Rose. Here’s everything you need to know about it.
Read more »
Geordies will be back on stage in Europe soon - This Lisbon trip was a rehearsalGeordies will be back on stage in Europe soon - This Lisbon trip was a rehearsal nufc
Read more »
TSMC chairman dismisses fears China could seize fabsChairman reminds world that production depends on comms with US, Europe and Japan
Read more »
Katie Price holds hands with fiance Carl Woods after he furiously denied splitKatie Price has been spotted holding hands with fiance Carl Woods, in an effort to show that their relationship is still strong amid rumours they had split.
Read more »
High prevalence of fungal secondary infections among COVID-19 patientsHigh prevalence of fungal secondary infections among COVID-19 patients Coronavirus Disease COVID Antifungal Aspergillosis Candida Candidiasis FungalInfection PLOSONE
Read more »
Oscars 2023: Harry Styles has two films hoping for awards gloryDon't Worry Darling and My Policeman are among 23 movies hoping for awards in 2023.
Read more »