Sánchez copies two of Orbán's worst measures after criticizing his Hungarian rival

Politics is a field full of paradoxes that expose the inconsistencies of some who dedicate themselves to it professionally.

The crimes of the communist dictatorship of China, which is praised by Pedro Sánchez
The infamous favors of Pedro Sánchez's government to Vladimir Putin's dictatorship

Pedro Sánchez's dealings with two of the worst dictatorships

Let's look at an example today. The president of the Spanish government, the socialist Pedro Sánchez, has been presenting himself as a defender of Europeanism for years and has also claimed the "democratic memory" regarding Franco's dictatorship. However, his government has no qualms about making business deals with two of the worst dictatorships: Russia and China, Europe's main strategic rivals.

As I explained in February, Spain is one of Europe's largest importers of Russian gas, imports that finance Putin's aggression against Ukraine. Furthermore, Sánchez is getting closer to communist China, praising that dictatorship that violates human rights. Today, Vozpópuli points out that former president Zapatero is closing deals in China on behalf of Sánchez, compromising the European Union's trade strategy. While he talks about "Europeanism," Sánchez is putting the future of the Spanish economy in the hands of China, something we will end up regretting.

Viktor Orbán's dealings with those same two dictatorships

What other European politician does this? Well, Viktor Orbán. As I also pointed out in February, Hungary is one of Europe's largest importers of Russian gas. The fifth largest, specifically, although it could become the third and overtake Spain if its forecast of importing 6.7 billion cubic meters of EU gas in 2025 comes true. In fact, Hungary buys more Russian gas than it needs. The difference with Spain is that Hungary doesn't even send military aid to Ukraine.

In addition, Hungary and China signed a strategic cooperation agreement in May 2024. On the occasion of the signing, Orbán praised the "continuous, uninterrupted friendship" between the two countries since the beginning of his term in 2010.

Hungary's relationship with China has implications beyond the economy: in 2021, Orbán's government vetoed a European statement against the Chinese communist dictatorship's repression in Hong Kong, a veto that was widely criticized in the rest of Europe. In 2024, Hungary vetoed a European sanctions package against Russia because it could affect Chinese companies that do business with Putin's war. In April 2024, A Polish organization, the Center for Oriental Studies, warned about "Hungary’s dangerous relationship with Beijing", presenting Hungary as "China's European bridgehead."

Consistency, a value that is in low demand in politics

Orbán describes himself as a "patriot" and presented himself in 2014 as the antithesis of Hungarian post-communists, but like Sánchez with Spain, he has no qualms about compromising Hungary's future with a communist dictatorship. Consistency seems to be a value that is in short supply in politics, but if that is the case, it is largely because many do not even bother to demand it from the politicians they admire, whether they are from the left, the center, or the right.

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Photo: Efe. Pedro Sánchez and Viktor Orbán at a European Council meeting in June 2023.