Experts from Hungary, El Salvador, and Turkey Share Lessons on Authoritarianism and Implications for US Politics
Activists and opposition leaders from Hungary, El Salvador, and Turkey were interviewed to provide insights on authoritarianism and key lessons they wish had been understood earlier.
In Hungary, Stefania Kapronczay highlighted similarities between Donald Trump’s rapid consolidation of power and Viktor Orbán’s long-term authoritarian project. Orbán initially rose to power in 1998, returned as prime minister in 2010, and by 2022 Hungary was labeled by the EU Parliament as a hybrid regime characterized by electoral autarky. Orbán’s reforms included altering voting laws, packing the constitutional court, and exerting control over universities, NGOs, and the press. Opposition strategy in Hungary has prioritized addressing citizens’ economic concerns and fostering local, cross-ideological gatherings, emphasizing protests and civil society engagement as key countermeasures rather than relying solely on rhetoric.
In Turkey, Ece Temelkuran noted that President Erdoğan’s second term marked a significant increase in ruthlessness as he merged his identity with the state apparatus. Following mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu’s arrest, recent Istanbul protests demonstrated how street activism can invigorate party politics. Temelkuran advocates for a long-term democratic rebuilding process and suggests that opposition forces in the US will need to mobilize with comparable energy.
Claudia Ortiz from El Salvador argued that opposition must focus on people’s needs, actively listen to citizens, and maintain adaptability. President Bukele has used emergency powers, suspended due process, and installed a loyalist judiciary, leading to human rights abuses and the world’s highest incarceration rate. While Bukele remains popular due to reductions in crime and effective propaganda, deteriorating public services and rising living costs are causing cracks in support.
The report also noted that Trump publicly praised Orbán and urged European leaders to show him more respect. Additionally, the US reached a controversial agreement to transfer over 200 detained migrants to a notorious prison in El Salvador, illustrating a growing alignment with hardline regimes.
