Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban defied a long-standing taboo by inviting Alternative for Germany (AfD) co-leader Alice Weidel for an official meeting in Budapest. Despite the AfD's political isolation both in Germany and across Europe, Orban granted a state leader-level reception to the far-right party's candidate for chancellor.

"It is completely clear that the AfD is the future," Orban said at the joint press conference on February 12, adding that all the party's platform, from immigration to the economy, would be "beneficial to Hungary" if it were implemented in Germany.

The Hungarian leader has traditionally maintained a formal distance from the Germany's far-right, though Fidesz-affiliated civil groups have engaged with the AfD and Orban's propaganda machine has praised the party's narrative from migration to energy polices from the smart.

Emboldened by Donald Trump's return to power, Orban has clearly ratcheted up his anti-European rhetoric and reiterated his ambition to unite Europe's nationalist forces. Wednesday's meeting with Alice Weidel could mark the start of the process, some analysts noted.

The prime minister justified the invitation saying that AfD has nearly twice as many supporters as Hungary's population and the party’s relevance can no longer be ignored.

Recent polls have shown the AfD in second place ahead of the election, with support of about 20% but all other parties ruled out cooperation with the party,

Orban was asked if he had coordinated the visit with CDU leader Friedrich Merz, the likely next German chancellor, to which Orban replied that he would welcome any chancellor candidate but noted there was "no long queue."

Analysts noted that the rising popularity of AfD could make closer ties more appealing to Orban, who has been working to unite Europe's far-right forces.

Alice Weidel was granted reception typically reserved for state leaders in Budapest and she did not hold back her compliments toward his host.

Weidel praised Hungary as a model for sovereignty, migration policy and national independence, vowing that if AfD gains power, Germany would "follow the path of Hungary, the great ideal" and put Germany "back on its feet."

She criticised Germany's current leadership as weak, stating that the country suffers from migration and crime, and blamed Angela Merkel for the country's decline. She expressed a desire for a "proud Germany," drawing a parallel to Hungary's pride in its sovereignty and independence.

When fielded a question, Alice Weidel rejected the idea that her party was far-right,  saying that people had been led to believe this by the mainstream media, the German public media and the secret services.

Orban suggested that many of the AfD's policies, if implemented, would benefit Hungary, although the party's push for dismantling the Schengen zone and closing internal borders would clearly go against Hungarian interests.

The Hungarian leader reiterated criticised the EU for "trying to make policies against the people," citing migration and the Russia-Ukraine war as examples. He argued that if a ruling elite continues to ignore the democratic will of the people on key issues, a party like the AfD will emerge to fill that role.

Both leaders voiced opposition to EU energy sanctions against Russia, the European Green Deal and a joint EU immigration policy. Weidel praised Hungary's role in fighting illegal migration, despite criticisms of Hungary's 2023 release of convicted human traffickers.

Weidel, who is openly gay, expressed her support for the traditional family model and asserted that there was no contradiction between the two views. Meanwhile, social media users flooded Viktor Orban's Facebook page, eagerly calling out what they saw as his hypocrisy.

They highlighted the irony of Orban, who has championed family values and policies that marginalise LGBTQ+ rights, engaging with a leader who openly identifies as part of that community.