The world’s largest conservative event starts this week in Hungary
CPAC Hungary will put an end to the common but erroneous mistakes that international co-operation of national forces is conceptually ruled out, with such intense pressure of political correctness or a culture of abolition everywhere that it almost downplays differences between individual right-wing formations but reinforces common values. Miklós Szánthó, director of the Center for Fundamental Rights, told Origo about the CPAC to be held this week. Maria Schmidt, XXI. The director general of the Institute of the Century and the House of Terror spoke of the appreciation of the work of politicians responsible for both Christian values and their nation in the 21st century, and it is important that these political forces organize themselves. And Dan Schneider said that one of the biggest threats to individual freedom today is undoubtedly the attack on national sovereignty.
Why did the CPAC choose Hungary to hold its first non-US event here?
Dan Schneider, vice president of the American Conservative Union: One of the greatest threats to individual freedom today is undoubtedly the attack on national sovereignty. Elitists and radicals want to replace the sovereignty of nations with supranational organizations (the European Union) or NGOs to “control” what we think, what we do, what we say, and what we buy (like Google or Facebook). Every alternative to the concept of a nation is dangerous. The former deprives individuals of much of their political power and necessarily forces societies to lose their unique characteristics and culture. It abolishes the latter with democratic norms, destroys induvial autonomy and upsets political processes. Today, Hungary is one of the best examples of how a nation is fighting an attack on sovereignty and individual freedom. We wanted to launch the first CPAC in Europe to send a message: the fundamental values of individual rights, national sovereignty, and democracy continue to matter, and conservatives have always fought for those values.
Who are you most looking forward to performing at, and why?
Dan Schneider: Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has actually tried to be one of the fastest in the world to work out a way to reverse the population decline. In America, Valerie Huber is the one doing the similar tests for it. I am also particularly proud that the President of the American Conservative Union (ACU), Matt Schlapp, will give an opening speech at CPAC Hungary, as it is an exaggeration to say that he is the leading political analyst in the States on the right. He is very familiar with “wokeism” and its spread around the world. All of these people are “must watch” performers.
Why did the CPAC choose Hungary to hold its first non-US event here?
Miklós Szánthó, Director General of the Center for Fundamental Rights: The great thing about the event that every Republican president currently in office in the U.S. has spoken so far is coming to us. But this is due to the fact that today the most successful right-wing project of Western civilization is being carried by Hungary, and this is also seen from overseas. In America and Western Europe, the neomarxist-progressive woke mentality seeks to subdue public life and politics through very similar mechanisms. It was only while the left-wing forces called the “Christian Democrats” in their name, that the real right was in an even more difficult position, that the Hungarian right realized that a democracy could not only be liberal – and many in the West were interested in it. I could also say that the Hungarian right is the only hope for Western conservatism, which is why the CPAC comes here.
To what extent do you think the CPAC event in Budapest can strengthen the camp of national-conservative forces?
Miklós Szánthó: Not only symbolically, I think it will be a huge impact factor for the event itself, but for the possible networking there. We come together not only to talk, but also to develop new and living personal relationships among those who believe in the trinity of God, home, family. The decades-long and huge advantage of the balliberal side is that it has a well-developed network and an international infrastructure, which it can use if, for example, Hungary is to be attacked. CPAC Hungary will deal with commonplace but erroneous mistakes that international cooperation of national forces is conceptually ruled out. The pressure of political correctness or a culture of abolition everywhere is so fierce that it pretty much downplays the differences between the individual right-wing formations, but reinforces the common values for which an immune response is needed. We are only a force together, CPAC Hungary will show it.
How important is the CPAC in a Europe where the political weight of Christian-conservative forces is diminishing? Can we say at all that it is getting smaller?
Maria Schmidt, XXI. Director General of the Century Institute: The survival of European culture for centuries is due to Christianity, Christian roots and teaching. The role of Christian-conservative forces is particularly strong in Central Europe. In Western European politics, however, it is different, and the parties there have now given up much of their Christian-conservative values. There are profound social changes taking place in the world, with the states of the continent placing less and less emphasis on respecting traditions and sticking to the roots. Every day we can see that the liberal elite is attacking Christian cultural values, national identity, national sovereignty. I consider Christianity important, to preserve and pass on its traditions. In order to remain successful here in Central Europe, we must not lose sight of the fact that the condition for our survival is to cling to our Christian roots.
To what extent do you think the CPAC event in Budapest can strengthen the camp of national-conservative forces?
Maria Schmidt: He emphasizes the importance of the Christian religion and values, and the political-public forum based on a conservative system of values and ideas has not only a raison d’être but also a strong role in strengthening relations between foreign and Hungarian right-wing thinkers. There is a need for a forum where domestic and international conservative intellectuals can express their thoughts on problems facing the world and Europe, strong ongoing attacks on traditional values, possible responses, solution strategies and highlight the importance of maintaining a right, conservative value system. we can protect our national identity. The work of politicians who feel responsible for both Christian values and their nation has appreciated in the 21st century. It is important that these political forces organize themselves. As I have said in many places, the Hungarian national interest is for the European Union to remain a Christian and to face the challenges of the 21st century as an alliance of strong, equal nation-states. It is a great honor for me to attend the largest and most influential conservative event in the world.
Who are you most looking forward to performing at, and why?
Maria Schmidt: It is a difficult question, it is very difficult to single out a speaker from many prominent politicians, experts and opinion leaders. Václav Klaust, to whom I had the opportunity to present the Petőfi Prize a few years ago on behalf of our foundation – together with MOL Group – I look forward to it with special love and interest.