UNITED NATIONS — A Hungarian official met with Digital at the United Nations this week, as Hungary is preparing to follow the U.S. in designating Antifa as a terrorist organization. He indicated that this action underscores the strengthening ties between the U.S. and Hungary since the conclusion of the Biden administration.
“I believe this is another point that illustrates the closeness between the current Trump administration and Prime Minister [Viktor] Orbán’s government on significant political matters,” Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó conveyed to Digital. “It was clear that we consider Antifa an extremist organization, disseminating an extremist ideology that encourages its members and activists to assault innocent individuals. And this is simply unacceptable.”
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, a firm ally of President, stated in a radio interview on September 19 that it was time for Budapest to adopt “the American model,” according to The Associated Press.
Szijjártó also referenced an occurrence in 2023 where Antifa activists reportedly attacked individuals they believed were attending a far-right event in Budapest, as reported by the AP.
The outlet noted that Italian Antifascist activist Ilaria Salis, one of the alleged assailants, has since become a member of the European Parliament, granting her immunity from legal action. Szijjártó expressed to Digital that it was a “shame” Hungary could not prosecute her.
“The European Parliament has once again demonstrated that it is an excessively ideologized and politicized body [governed] by the aggressive, extremist liberal mainstream,” he remarked.
While Hungary has urged the European Union to also categorize Antifa as a terrorist organization, Szijjártó expressed to Digital that he has “less hope” the EU will comply.
Despite facing challenges within Europe, Hungary is experiencing an enhanced relationship with the U.S., which Szijjártó has hailed as a “golden age.”
“Under the Democrat administration, we Hungarians were perceived as adversaries. The Democrat administration adopted a very hostile stance,” Szijjártó explained, referring to former President Joe Biden’s White House. “And since President Trump has been in office, this situation has completely, completely transformed… We are essentially experiencing the golden age of this U.S.-Hungary relationship.”
Hungary also supports Trump’s call for as the alliance faces renewed pressure from recent incursions into the airspace of Denmark, Estonia, and Poland. Some of these incidents have been connected to Russia.
During his conversation with Digital, Szijjártó highlighted Hungary’s view of NATO as “a very important pillar of European security.”
“We are hopeful that NATO will continue to strengthen in the future. We align with President Trump’s approach advocating for an increase in the proportion of defense spending relative to the allies’ GDPs,” Szijjártó stated.
Amid escalating tensions between NATO and Russia, Hungary possesses a distinct understanding of the severe dangers of a confrontation between the two entities.
Hungary shares a and has witnessed firsthand the impact of Kyiv’s war with Russia. Szijjártó cautioned that a direct clash between NATO and Russia could initiate World War III. However, Hungary regards Trump as a likely peacemaker in the region.
“President Trump is the sole prospect for achieving peace,” Szijjártó informed Digital. He further elaborated that U.S.-Russia discussions must persist to bring global stability.
“Whenever there is civilized, high-level engagement between Russia and the U.S., the security situation of the world improves. Conversely, when U.S.-Russia talks are absent, the global security situation deteriorates,” Szijjártó concluded.