Gabor Tanacz, an Euronews correspondent based in Budapest, discusses the intriguing dynamics between Viktor Orbán and Donald Trump. He highlights Orbán's early support for Trump and their strategic meeting at Mar-a-Lago. The conversation touches on Orbán's absence from Trump's inauguration and the shifting European leadership landscape. They also explore the polarized views of Trump in Hungary and the challenges of migration and digital privacy in Europe, including TikTok bans.
Viktor Orbán's complex relationship with Donald Trump raises questions about their alliance, particularly following Orbán's absence from the inauguration.
The podcast explores Europe's migration challenges, highlighting upcoming discussions on border security involving the Canary Islands and EU officials.
Deep dives
Orban's Relationship with Trump
Viktor Orban has publicly supported Donald Trump, describing him as one of the strongest leaders in the world. Despite his praise, Orban did not attend Trump's inauguration, which raised questions about the nature of their relationship. While Orban’s government indicated that he was not invited due to the event’s ceremonial nature, there are conflicting reports suggesting he could have received a private invitation. Analysts speculate that Orban's absence might indicate shifting dynamics, as Italian Prime Minister Giorgio Meloni appears to be gaining favor as Trump’s main European ally.
The Political Climate in Hungary
Public opinion in Hungary about Trump is polarized, heavily influenced by support or opposition to Orban's government. Orban’s administration has invested significantly in fostering a strong alliance with Trump, which included showcasing their shared values and promoting cooperation at various events. However, there is skepticism regarding the tangible benefits of this relationship, as previous engagements yielded limited outcomes for Hungary. Additionally, the relationship has faced challenges due to diplomatic tensions with the Biden administration, leading to losses in agreements and reputational impact.
Migration Issues and EU Responses
The podcast highlights the ongoing challenges of irregular migration in Europe, particularly concerning the Canary Islands. An upcoming meeting between EU Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner and the president of the Canary Islands seeks to address rising migration, with previous agreements with Mauritania intended to bolster border security. Despite these efforts, there are concerns about the effectiveness of such deals in controlling migration flows. The discussions reflect broader complexities in European migration policy, emphasizing the necessity for coordinated action across member states.
Today Radio Schuman digs into current relations between Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and the newly re-elected US president Donald Trump with Gabor Tanacz, Euronews correspondent in Budapest.
Orbán was been an early supporter of Trump, and the two leaders met last month at Mar-a-Lago. Although Trump once mistakenly confused Orbán with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, he has described Orbán as “one of the strongest leaders anywhere in the world.”
Many officials in Brussels anticipate that Orbán will serve as Trump’s key interlocutor on European affairs. However, at Trump’s inauguration ceremony last night, Giorgia Meloni emerged as the most prominent EU leader in attendance. The Hungarian leader was in Budapest yesterday, where he delivered a speech reflecting on his country’s recent presidency of the EU.
We also take a look at today's European Parliament debates and a meeting between migration European Commissioner Magnus Brunner and the president of the Canary Islands' regional government, Fernando Clavijo.
Radio Schuman also brings you to countries where TikTok is fully or partially banned.
Radio Schuman is hosted and produced by Maïa de la Baume, with journalist and production assistant Eleonora Vasques, audio editing by David Brodheim. Music by Alexandre Jas