Orbán’s intense diplomatic season

Commenting on the Prime Minister’s meeting with President Putin of Russia and his forthcoming visit to Israel, a pro-government analyst asserts that the Hungarian Prime Minister has become an important player in international affairs.

In her Magyar Hírlap editorial, Mariann Őry lists a series of important meetings Mr Orbán has had with world leaders over the past few weeks, from Chancellor Merkel of Germany to PM Li Keqiang of China, to prove that warnings by the opposition about Hungary becoming isolated in the world are unfounded. On the contrary, she writes, the Prime Minister’s resolute stance on controversial issues, including illegal migration, has earned him respect. She admits that the leaders of the EU prefer pliable East-European politicians, but they never earn their respect. In an aside, she mentions a favourable remark by President Trump of the United States about Hungary’s tough immigration policies as proof that PM Orbán has become a factor in international affairs. (In an interview with Piers Morgan for the Daily Mail, Mr Trump said: ‘Some of the countries would not take it. And they’re being really admonished by the European Union for not doing it. You look at Hungary as an example. They’re not agreeing to do what some of the other countries did.’)

Tags: Donald Trump, Orbán, Putin