Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) co-chair Alice Weidel made a historic visit to Budapest on Wednesday to meet with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. This marked the first time in the right-wing, anti-immigration party’s history that a sitting leader of a foreign state received one of its co-chairs. Since its founding in 2013, AfD has been subjected to a political firewall imposed by mainstream German parties, making such high-profile meetings unprecedented. The visit attracted significant media attention, with leaders around the world—especially in Germany—watching with wary eyes. During the press conference following their meeting, Orbán referred to Weidel as ‘the future of Germany’.

The meeting gained further significance when US Vice President JD Vance also expressed support for AfD. Arriving in Germany for the Munich Security Conference over the weekend, Vance spoke to The Wall Street Journal, stressing that mainstream parties should not exclude political forces from governance. He argued that sidelining parties such as AfD contradicts democratic principles and freedom of speech.

‘It's really about censorship and migration, about this fear that President Trump and I have—that European leaders are afraid of their own people,’ Vance stated. He urged German politicians to engage with all political forces, including AfD, and voiced concerns over the rising influence of far-left parties in Germany. He also announced that in his upcoming speech at the conference, he would call for Europe to embrace anti-establishment politics, curb mass migration, and limit progressive policies. Furthermore, he intended to advocate for a return to traditional values and stronger action against migrant crime.

‘European leaders are afraid of their own people’

This message echoed many of the themes discussed in Orbán and Weidel’s joint interview with Swiss newspaper Weltwoche and Hungarian weekly Mandiner, which followed their meeting in Budapest. The interview provided an opportunity to delve deeper into the issues raised during the press conference. Given that AfD’s views closely align with those of Orbán and Hungary’s governing party, Fidesz, there was no shortage of topics for discussion. Key issues included the upcoming German elections, the need to reform the dysfunctional European Union, and the challenge of mass migration.

Unlikely Breakthrough...Or Is It?

As the conversation shifted to the German elections scheduled for 23 February, Orbán reiterated his statement: ‘I met the future of Germany today.’ However, he acknowledged that a breakthrough was unlikely in this election.

With less than ten days to go before the vote, Germans are facing deteriorating security, with terror attacks carried out by migrants or individuals linked to immigration becoming increasingly common. Just one day after the Orbán–Weidel meeting, an Afghan asylum seeker drove into a crowd in Munich, injuring at least 30 people. AfD has been the only party in Germany to oppose mass migration from the outset, so it is unsurprising that it has risen to become the country’s second-largest party. Some polls estimate its support at around 25 per cent, trailing only the Christian Democratic Union. However, due to the political firewall imposed by mainstream parties, it remains highly unlikely that AfD will even be considered for a junior coalition role—however, Vance’s comments may change this attitude in favour of AfD.

Vance’s concerns over free speech were also addressed in the Orbán–Weidel interview. The Hungarian prime minister listed five priorities for Donald Trump’s return to the presidency: promoting peace, addressing migration, defending Christianity, reversing economically harmful green policies, and restoring free speech, which he claimed has been long lost in Western countries. Vance had already criticized the EU for overregulating sectors such as artificial intelligence and restricting freedom of speech during his first international speech, delivered earlier this week in Paris at the AI Action Summit.

Vance, however, is not the only American taking an interest in German politics. Since December 2024 US billionaire Elon Musk has repeatedly endorsed AfD, stating that it is the only party capable of saving Germany. Musk also hosted a one-hour live conversation with Weidel, broadcast on his platform X. In January, Vance shared an op-ed written by Musk explaining his support for AfD, commenting: ‘I’m not endorsing a party in the German elections, as it’s not my country and we hope to have good relations with all Germans. But this is an interesting piece.’

Since then, Musk has become co-chair of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which is currently working to dismantle the deep state’s strongholds in Washington. Given these developments, it is evident that AfD has the strongest transatlantic connections among German parties—ties that could ultimately lead to the breakdown of the political firewall imposed on it.

Brussels Needs Change

Turning back to the interview, Weidel and Orbán agreed that the EU is in urgent need of reform, arguing that its current structure is incapable of handling contemporary challenges. They highlighted the bloc’s democratic deficit, with Weidel criticizing the unelected European Commission for wielding disproportionate power. She described the EU as a ‘disorganized, bureaucratic, expensive business’ and dismissed the European Parliament as a ‘pseudo-parliament’, calling for decision-making powers to be returned to national parliaments.

‘Brussels is controlled by bureaucrats incapable of political leadership’

Orbán contended that Brussels is controlled by bureaucrats incapable of political leadership—something he sees as crucial given Europe’s crises. He argued that Germany and France should provide leadership but are too consumed by their own internal struggles. Stressing the need for citizens to reclaim Brussels and force it to serve their interests, he nevertheless expressed doubts about the success of such reforms, noting that they have never been seriously attempted and would require a majority in the EU’s decision-making bodies.

The two leaders also addressed illegal migration, with Orbán reiterating his belief that, unlike the EU, Donald Trump understands that migration is problematic and that illegal migration is the worst. He defended Hungary’s migration policy, which has drawn widespread criticism from Western leaders. However, he suggested that AfD entering government could significantly shift this dynamic. Weidel confirmed that her party’s plans include stricter border control and the deportation of illegal immigrants.

Watch the full interview here:

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