A high-profile panel discussion titled ‘Europe in Discourse: The Future of Europe Under Trump’ took place on Sunday in Vienna, Austria, featuring Balázs Orbán, the Hungarian Prime Minister’s political director, among the participants.
The panel included Ukrainian-born economist Olga Pindyuk from the Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies, Austrian journalist Hannelore Veit, and Nathalie Tocci, director of the Istituto Affari Internazionali (IAI) in Rome.
All participants agreed that Donald Trump is significantly better prepared for his second presidency compared to his first. However, they noted that, given his personality and leadership style, his upcoming term is unlikely to be entirely predictable or uneventful.
According to Der Standard, Orbán highlighted the importance of Trump’s focus on national interests, asserting that this approach would allow Hungary to prioritize its own national interests as well. ‘Trump would respect that,’ Orbán underlined. He stated that the new world order, which will emerge following the decline of the liberal world order, will be one centred on sovereignty. ‘Hungary would recognize the new realities, bury the failed liberal ideology, and abandon outdated political methods while genuinely addressing people’s concerns,’ Orbán stated.
He further argued that the progressive elite’s greatest failure lies in prioritizing interests that are entirely misaligned with those of ordinary people and nation-states. ‘This was demonstrated by Brexit, and it also explains Donald Trump’s re-election, as it was driven by domestic politics rather than geopolitics,’ he concluded.
‘The progressive elite’s greatest failure lies in prioritizing interests that are entirely misaligned with those of ordinary people’
The panel discussion was, of course, not without debate. Olga Pindyuk remarked on Hungary’s grand strategy, which focusing on economic neutrality and connectivity, noting that ‘a state cannot isolate itself in the medium and long term while simultaneously hoping to sustain international financial flows and attract foreign investments. These dynamics are inevitably linked.’ Nathalie Tocci also argued that small-state politics and national solo efforts—an approach increasingly endorsed by right-wing governments—would leave countries vulnerable in conflicts with powerful players like the United States or China. She emphasized the necessity of joint investments in areas such as armaments and defence.
Defending Hungary’s strategy, Orbán countered that prioritizing national interest and sovereignty does not preclude participation in joint projects. He agreed with Tocci’s example, citing defence as an area where cooperation is essential.
The discussion also touched on the relationship between US billionaire Elon Musk and Donald Trump, which some participants deemed potentially dangerous. Nathalie Tocci, for instance, cautioned that European states should be wary of Trump and Musk offering bilateral deals. ‘That may sound appealing in the short term, but in the long term, it will make us smaller,’ she argued.
However, Balázs Orbán took a different view, highlighting that Musk’s role could be pivotal in reducing administrative burdens and government spending. He noted that if the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), co-chaired by Musk, proves successful, it could serve as a model for European countries. This also aligns with the Budapest Declaration, adopted last November, which prioritizes reducing administrative burdens within the European Union.
Orbán also shared a post about the conference on X, stating: ‘The era of woke policies, open borders, and the weakening of national communities has come to an end. Change is already happening, as seen in many parts of Europe.’ He added that people are demanding policies that put their interests forward, similar to what the Hungarian government has been delivering for the past 15 years. Orbán concluded by thanking the organizers for their efforts and commending the quality of the debate.
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