When the media announces the return of the 45the President on Tuesday in the US capitalFor my part, I’m paying close attention to everything surrounding the next meeting of the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) next week.
This group of conservative activists is particularly influential, and few are Republican Party candidates who can afford the economy of being present. Group support doesn’t guarantee success, but it’s better to look good.
development of conservatism
Founded in 1974, CPAC has evolved over time and through a variety of influences. Ronald Reagan delivered the first keynote address. The one who made an impression by presenting his vision of the United States as the “shining city on a hill” would most likely have trouble picking up on current trends.
You should know that while CPAC has already vigorously opposed the alt-right and far-right, we no longer hold our noses up at the Steve Bannon of this world. Like the Republican Party, this group is now plagued by Trumpism and its supporters.
If you are interested in the American political context, I invite you to follow the next meeting, which will take place August 4-7. The list of guests is enough to gauge the development of a vision of conservatism.
Attendees can see and hear Donald Trump, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Ted Cruz, Sean Hannity, Glenn Beck, Jim Jordan, Lauren Boebert, or Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. If you’ve been following the news for the past year, there are no surprises in this list of politicians or media figures who regularly make the headlines.
Racism without borders
However, another name should pique your curiosity, that of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbàn. His country had already invited CPAC to its first European meeting, and he wanted to help unite conservative forces.
The ultra-conservative prime minister, whom Le Monde dubbed “Hungary’s racist uncle” back in 2018, is currently at the center of one controversy and the other. In a speech on Saturday, he showed his contempt for “mixed race” and opposed multi-ethnic societies.
Incidentally, Orbàn also referred to the gas chambers of World War II. Known for his anti-migrant policies, he sparked outrage in Europe and earned a harsh condemnation from the International Auschwitz Committee, which has linked his speech to Joseph Goebbels’ Nazi propaganda.
The CPAC and a significant portion of the Republican Party are therefore in 2022. To the local racists and the usual peddlers, we feel it necessary to add an international figure, a fanatic who despises liberal democracy.
The same would happen here, I would worry. Not you? I still prefer to denounce the excesses of some high-ranking guards than engage with the far right.
