Miklos Szantho: Polish Example a Stark Warning — This Is What Peter Magyar and His Allies Want to Implement

On the occasion of the founding of the Hungarian–Polish Freedom Institute and ahead of the Polish presidential election, we spoke with Miklos Szantho, Director General of the Budapet-based Center for Fundamental Rights, about the reasons for launching the new institute, his view of Poland’s political situation, and the parallels he sees with Hungary. During the interview, he made it clear: today, Poland is a testing ground for what the leftist, globalist network seeks to implement in Hungary under Peter Magyar's leadership.

Cover photo: Miklos Szánthó at the opening of the Hungarian–Polish Freedom Institute (Photo: MTI)

– Why was it necessary to establish the Hungarian–Polish Freedom Institute?

– What we are witnessing in Poland today is a cautionary tale. The globalists have come to power, and what pro-war Tusk and his circles are doing is nothing less than dismantling freedom, the rule of law, and democracy—under a veneer of legality, but with full political intent. The institute's aim is to document, analyze, and present all this not only to the Hungarian, but also to the international public. We want to send a clear message: if this process is not stopped, the same could happen in Hungary.

– So you see a parallel between the situations in Poland and Hungary?

– Not only do I see one, I also believe that it's our duty to state that the very same playbook is in effect. What the Polish left is executing under Donald Tusk's leadership is exactly what the Hungarian left prepared for in 2022. Brussels made its expectations clear: gender ideology, open borders, woke culture, fast-tracked EU accession for Ukraine, and support for the war. Tusk is implementing all of this. And now, they expects the same from "Brussels" Peter as well.

Miklos Szantho, Director General of the Center for Fundamental Rights Photo: MTI / Zoltan Balogh

– Do you think this is really what Peter Magyar is up to?

– Look, he himself has said that he wants to follow Tusk's example. And we are now watching in real time where that path leads in Poland. The takeover of public media, the defunding of right-wing press outlets, using the prosecutor’s office as a political weapon, subverting constitutional institutions—all of this has happened under Tusk. Peter Magyar makes no secret of the fact that he is receiving instructions from the same place as Tusk. In exchange for Brussels’ support, he is carrying out the same program. A clear example of this is his active participation in the Brussels-backed Ukrainian disinformation propaganda.

– What specific activities will the Hungarian–Polish Freedom Institute undertake?

– We will publish in three languages—Hungarian, Polish, and English. We aim to uncover, document, and expose the fact that what is happening today in Polish democracy would be disgraceful even in a semi-dictatorship in the developing world. The goal is to make it clear: if the globalists come to power here, freedom of speech, child protection, and national security will all be immediately at risk.

– Do you expect attacks because of the new institute?

– Of course. But as we often say: if they take a jab at us, we'll jab right back. The Hungarian right, including the Center for Fundamental Rights, has a good deal of experience with this over the past 15–16 years. Whether it's CPAC or our other initiatives, we have always come under heavy fire—but we’ve always held our ground.

We’ve grown used to the fact that the leftist fake news “press,” the foreign-funded NGOs operating in Hungary, and the local globalist networks are deeply frustrated and angry about our work and the success of the Hungarian right. But that’s actually a sign of our success! The more they attack, the clearer it becomes that we are on the right path. And now they’re even more frustrated, since thanks to the new transparency law, they’ll no longer be able to continue their foreign-funded betrayal of the nation. The question is: what content will they be able to produce, and how, once the money stops?

– Since you mentioned it, what are your expectations for this year’s CPAC Hungary?

– That it will clearly demonstrate: the era of patriots has arrived. In America, normalcy has already prevailed. In Europe, the patriotic wave is growing stronger by the day. The formation of “Patriots for Europe” is a key milestone in this. By now, virtually every European country is seeing louder and louder rejection of globalist pressure. That’s why we want CPAC Hungary to show that the American and European revolutions of common sense must converge—and we want that to happen in Budapest. CPAC Hungary provides the platform, framework, and alliance for that convergence.

– How do you see the chances of the Polish right-wing presidential candidate, Karol Nawrocki?

– I trust he will succeed. But recent European experiences urge caution. In France, they've barreed right-wing candidates. In Austria, they prevented the winners from governing. In Germany, they want to ban the most popular party. And looking at how the Tusk government operates, nothing can be ruled out. If they capture the presidency as well, there will be no remaining check on a total globalist dictatorship in Poland. That’s why it is important not only for the Poles, but also for us Hungarians, that the right-wing candidate wins the presidential election—and that the election is conducted fairly.

– Finally: what lesson should Hungary take from all of this?

– That defense alone is not enough—we must go on the offensive, as with the transparency law, which is the best tool against the globalist, Ukrainian disinformation propaganda. The leftist-globalist network is active, organized, and coordinated on an international level. Their methods are always the same. And if we are not vigilant, the same playbook will be implemented in Hungary: silencing free speech, hollowing out democracy, and surrendering national sovereignty. The Polish example is not just a warning—it’s a pre-written script for the Hungarian left wing.

Cover photo: Miklos Szantho at the opening of the Hungarian–Polish Freedom Institute (Photo: MTI)