U.S. Mayors Join Pact of Free Cities to Combat Authoritarianism

Recently, Lacey Beaty, Beaverton, Oregon’s mayor, was among the U.S. city leaders who attended the Pact of Free Cities meeting in Bratislava, Slovakia. The event brought together representatives like Omar Al-Rawi from the Vienna City Council, Audrey Pulvar, deputy mayor of Paris, and the mayors of Budapest and Warsaw.

For years, right-wing populists in the U.S. such as President Trump have sought alliances with international counterparts like Hungary’s former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Now, liberal U.S. city leaders are reciprocating by joining the Pact of Free Cities. This coalition allows them to share practices with European peers to uphold democracy and tackle authoritarian tendencies. Cities such as Boston, Chicago, San Antonio, and Cincinnati participated in this meeting.

Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval noted his motivation to join stems from actions by the Trump administration that have eroded democratic values and strained relationships, especially with Europe.

Origins and Goals of the Pact

The group began in 2019, founded by the mayors of Bratislava, Budapest, Prague, and Warsaw. They aim to defend progressive values against hostile national governments. At the meeting, Budapest Mayor Gergely Karácsony shared experiences from Hungary, where citizens helped remove Orbán from power after 16 years.

One significant moment in Hungary was the ban on Budapest’s Pride parade. The city’s response transformed the event into a broader protest for free speech, drawing tens of thousands of participants and highlighting Orbán’s vulnerabilities.

Challenges with Federal Governments

After attending the meeting, Mayor Beaty emphasized its value. She remarked on the commonalities between the U.S. and European cities, noting challenges like federal funding resistance rooted in political opposition. Examples include the Trump administration’s efforts to cut funds to Beaverton over its DEI policies.

In Budapest, similar pressures arose with threats to essential services like garbage collection. Mayor Karácsony countered this with public campaigns, emphasizing the political motivations behind these threats.

Beaty stressed the importance of communicating clearly to residents why federal cuts occur, minimizing local blame.

Political Reactions and Perspectives

The White House responded critically to U.S. mayors joining the pact, suggesting that their participation in activities like this detracts from local governance priorities.

The development of political ties across the Atlantic isn’t new. Organizations like CPAC have long engaged with European right-wing populists, learning from figures like Nigel Farage. Such ties have informed political strategies both abroad and domestically.

CPAC’s continuous engagements with leaders like Orbán underscore these relationships. While questioning the relevance of lessons from European counterparts, CPAC highlights the potential for U.S. mayors to foster grassroots support.

The annual Pact of Free Cities meeting, held in Bratislava’s Primate’s Palace, saw mayors exchanging strategies to combat right-wing populist national governments, emphasizing the ongoing collaboration among international city leaders.