The Hungarian ambassador to the U.S. affirmed Hungary’s position as a beacon of the international hard-right movement at a controversial Republican gathering that white nationalists, European far-right politicians and controversial Republican politicians including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia attended. Ambassador Szabolcs Takács appeared at the New York Young Republican Club’s (NYYRC) annual gala on Dec. 10 to accept an award on behalf of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. The ambassador, who assumed the role in early 2021, applauded Orbán’s illiberal policies as victories and echoed far-right talking points in a speech recorded by Hatewatch reporters who attended the event. Hungarian ambassador Szabolcs Takács accepts the John Foster Dulles Award for Prime Minister Viktor Orban at the New York Young Republican Club’s 110th annual Gala held in Midtown Manhattan on Dec. 10. (Photo by Nancy Kaszerman/ZUMA Wire/IMAGO) Takács began his speech by saying the NYYRC and the global right-wing movement honored Orbán and Hungary as an example they can win “elections, democratically, based on traditional conservative values.” Following NYYRC president Gavin Wax’s declaration of “total war” against enemies of the conservative movement, Takács said Hungary was already fighting the “liberal dictatorship.” Takács did not respond to a request for comment. Hard-right plan Critics have accused Orbán of antisemitism for a years-long campaign that depicted Hungarian-American billionaire George Soros as an all-powerful boogeyman. They have furthered accused Orbán of racism and moves to weaken Hungary’s democracy. His government, which took power a second time in 2010, has packed courts, ended state accreditation of university gender studies programs and consolidated control of roughly 500 media outlets under a state-run foundation. Orbán’s allies have used their wealth to purchase many of Hungary’s most popular independent news outlets. Hungarian officials say these changes were made with the support of Hungarian voters, who have handed Orbán’s Fidesz party four consecutive supermajorities. (Orbán’s first term as prime minister was from 1998-2002.) Takács outlined Hungary’s far-right populist policies as the path toward victory. He noted Hungary’s generous payouts and tax benefits for families that have three or more children, Hungary’s media consolidation and controls on higher education.
via splcenter: Hungary Ambassador Affirms Role as Far-right Leader at Republican Gala