DW: US President Donald Trump’s praise for Hungary Prime Minister Victor Orban was recently on a complete performance at the CPAC meeting in Budapest, and the Architects of Project 2025 openly stated that they are Illibral Democracy as the second presidential post of model. What similarities do you see between Hungary and the United States right now?
Clara Dobrev: We took democracy.
In 2010, we said: “If the arbon doesn’t distribute, we will beat him in the next elections.” I have heard the same thing from my fellow Democrats in the United States. This is not true.
Thesis Ilibral, they are attacking institutions. They are attacking the reform system of check and balance, democracy. They attack the media, they attack public administration, they attack civil organizations, they attack the freedom of speaking … You must be at that time, before it is too late.
What were the major red flags on the road for “Illiberal Democracy”, and what are the chances of pushing back?
Dobrev: A politician comes to power in an election, but then there is a moment when he decides the loose power; He decides to be on the autocrats. It is a way the road.
There is no turning back. This is what we saw with Putin. This is what we saw with Lusashanko. This is what we saw with Erdogan and this is what we saw with Orban.
Hungary was once one of the best countries in the Middle Eastern Europe, with the highest standard of living. Now, we are one of the poorest countries of the European Union.
Democracy is the only way that you can protect the long -term good of the people. If there is any mistake, you can fix it. If there is a bad policy, you can fix it. If there is no democracy, you cannot fix it.
Now, stress is so big. People are living in very bad circumstances. We do not have a migrant problem, we have problems that everyone is leaving the country. I think in 2026 you can actually put heavy pressure on the government.
Victor Orban’s main political challenger is Peter Magyar, a former Fids Insider. Why Hungary has not captured that place?
Dobrev: In 2021, the United Opposition (United for Hungary) was ahead of the faides in the elections. Untrue, a right -wing candidate begins to talk against the left parties, and it destroyed this feeling of Beg United.
I strongly believe that the way you lose to Eliberal Populist, it is with a wide alliance of Democrats, Orthodox, Library, Greens, Social Democrats, Socialists. Together: This is the only way, and this is the only way you can control a country later.
This time, again, the opposition is leading. But this would not be enough if we cannot do a broad alliance. You have to bring everyone to the voting booth.
How can a comprehensive alliance be put together on issues such as defending the Budapest Pride March, which is likely to be supported by urban liberals, but not by the more conservative classes of the society?
Dobrev: We can have different values about a lot of things, but if you are a democrats, you must definitely work on the basis that pride cannot be banned, whatever your opinion is about it.
When there is a red flag, there is a red flag. Every politician who considers Himil as a Democrat, has to be proud.
So I invited the entire European Parliament. I invited all fellow members of different parties to come and show courage, especially proud. This is the right moment when you have to set an example as a politician.
This month, the Hungarian government gave a surprising concession: postponing a parliamentary vote on transparency in the public life bill until the summer holiday. The bill, which will enable the government to fine – and potential restrictions – NGOs, media outlets and journalists, who consider it to receive foreign funds and act against national interest, have been heavily criticized by rights groups. What threats do you see in the law?
Dobrev: This is not only on the cold of money, it is threatening journalists or media outlets with a fine that they are 25 times more of the receiver. So, this is a personal danger, it is not a political threat.
In the 21st century, you do not have to put people in jail, you can easily silence subjects.
Let me give me an example. Gaurav was a march of happiness. It was sponsored by a lot of multinational companies, all large companies that were in Hungary.
When this law surfaced, most of the sponsors disappeared. So, you can just create an environment where solidarity within the society is not working. And the same is with journalists and media outlets.
When autocracy goes into your soul, in your mind, you do not need external sensor. I think the most dangerous attack is not concrete fines, concrete fines. The biggest damage is to the mentality and the soul.
You are the former vice -president of the European Parliament, currently an MEP sitting within the progressive alliance of the Samajwadi and Democrats (S&D) group. You have seen how a few € 18 billion values have been stopped from Hungary over the regime of brunets, law concerns. And yet, Democratic Banking continues. Has the European Union gone wrong? What would be more effective approach to Orban?
Dobrev: Even 15 years after the Orban, Hungarian is Pro-Europe. This is more than a thousand years of Hungary history: we always wanted to be a part of Europe, and some always pulled us out, what tarters, Turks or Russians.
So, if you keep the questions in black and white: “Orban or Europe?” Most people will then choose Europe.
It is very painful for me to say this, but Orban has never created its Eliberal rule with European discovery, which is coming in the country for 10 years what is proper control.
All his elite classes, friends, son-in-law, father-his property was stolen from European taxpayers, and it was stolen from the people of Hungary. And with this Vilath, he bought media outlets, he bought important companies in telecommunications in the banking sector. They bought land, they bother the country.
Therefore, we are saying that money should remain in Brussels until these controls are made.
It is there, it is for Hungary, but it can no longer go near the Orban family and Orban Oligarch.
Brussels should actually show that Europe is a union of values and democracy, not only a group of countries.
Edited by: Angle Flangon
Full interview with Clara Dobrev MEP can be heard on Europe Podcast inside DW,
