U.S. Mayors Forge Global Ties to Battle Authoritarianism
Amidst growing concerns over authoritarianism, ten U.S. mayors from liberal cities have joined forces with European counterparts to form a transatlantic alliance against the rise of populism. This coalition, known as the Pact of Free Cities, aims to exchange strategies on sustaining democracy and opposing authoritarian governance.
The latest gathering of this coalition took place in Bratislava, Slovakia. Cities such as Boston, Chicago, San Antonio, and Cincinnati were represented, either in person or virtually, at the annual meeting.
Cincinnati’s Mayor Aftab Pureval emphasized the importance of international alliances, stating, “I’ve joined the Pact of Free Cities because of the actions of the Trump administration that continue to not just have democratic institutions and democratic values backslide in our country, but also the destruction of long-standing relationships all over the world, but particularly with our European counterparts.”
Strategies to Counter Populism
Founded in 2019 by the mayors of Bratislava, Budapest, Prague, and Warsaw, the Pact of Free Cities aims to uphold progressive values and navigate the challenges posed by adversarial national governments. A key highlight of the recent meeting was Budapest Mayor Gergely Karácsony’s account of how Hungarian voters ousted the nation’s autocratic leader, Viktor Orbán, after a 16-year rule. Karácsony shared that a significant moment was when the government attempted to ban Budapest’s Pride parade, which the city then reframed as a larger cause about free speech and assembly.
This defiance drew tens of thousands of participants, highlighting Orbán’s vulnerabilities and contributing to his political downfall.
Facing Federal Funding Challenges
Beaverton, Oregon’s Mayor Lacey Beaty, reflecting on the meeting, noted the shared struggles of cities, including federal funding cuts due to political disagreements. She recounted how the Trump administration threatened funding reductions over the city’s DEI policies.
Karácsony echoed similar experiences in Budapest, where national pressure threatened essential city services. In response, the city used trash trucks to communicate their plight, asking residents who would want “this bin to be emptied tomorrow?”
Beaty underscored the necessity of clear messaging to inform residents about such federal actions, preventing local officials from being unjustly blamed.
White House Reaction
In response to the U.S. mayors’ participation in the Pact of Free Cities, White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson remarked, “If Democrat mayors spent half as much time prioritizing the safety and security of their own citizens instead of participating in TDS [Trump Derangement Syndrome] publicity stunts, their residents would be much better served.”
CPAC’s Transatlantic Ties
Similarly, the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) has been nurturing relationships with European right-wing populists for the past decade. CPAC Chairman Matt Schlapp cited the influence of leaders like Nigel Farage, who has been pivotal in the U.K.’s political shifts and the Brexit movement.
CPAC’s engagement with Orbán includes five annual meetings in Budapest, emphasizing the mutual benefits of such international alliances.
While Schlapp questioned the extent of European mayors’ learning from their U.S. counterparts, given the unique challenges in American cities, he acknowledged the potential benefits of grassroots support and organization.
This article was originally written by www.npr.org
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