Nicolas Sarkozy on Viktor Orbán

Nicolas Sarkozy, the former French President, has expressed a supportive stance toward Viktor Orbán, particularly regarding the need for European unity and accommodation of diverse political views within the continent. He explicitly defended Orbán and his Fidesz party when they faced suspension from the European People's Party (EPP) bloc, arguing that Europe must prioritize unity and compromise to survive. Sarkozy stated that Orbán commands respect for achieving three consecutive election wins, something Sarkozy himself could not accomplish, and suggested that this success might be a reason for criticism against him. He lavished praise on Orbán, whom he called his "friend," emphasizing Hungary's deep European roots in history, culture, and values, and asserting that it is a great democratic country.

The relationship is rooted in shared center-right European politics, as both Fidesz and Sarkozy's Les Républicains were members of the EPP grouping at one time. Beyond political alignment, Sarkozy also took a stance on domestic Hungarian matters, such as the media law controversy during Hungary's EU presidency, where he indirectly defended Orbán by noting that he himself was empowered to appoint the head of French public television. Sarkozy’s interventions suggest a belief that accommodating Orbán’s political style is crucial for the functioning and future cohesion of the European project.