Brussels — Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s announced “retirement” from domestic politics does not mark the end of his career, but rather the beginning of an ambitious maneuver with international dimensions, according to a growing number of sources in Washington and Brussels who spoke to The New York Times on condition of anonymity.

The leaked information suggests that the plan was developed directly by former and potential future U.S. president Donald J. Trump and his allies. The goal is nothing less than an internal reshuffle of the European Union’s power center, a radical rollback of the European Green Deal, and a replacement for the current leadership of the European Commission.

“This is not simply the continuation of a national policy, but the next chapter in a transatlantic strategic alliance,” said a senior U.S. diplomat who participated in the background discussions.

The story accelerated in late 2024, when the parallels between Viktor Orbán’s vetoes in Brussels and Trump’s presidential campaign became increasingly apparent. Analysts say the Hungarian leader’s “retreat” was in fact a carefully prepared positioning that would allow him to take a higher position in Brussels without being under direct pressure from Hungarian voters.

Sources in Budapest say that Orbán has been holding secret meetings with Trump’s inner circle for months, including with figures who are running for key positions in a potential Trump administration in 2025. The main topic of these meetings was a radical overhaul of European energy and climate policy.

According to the leaked documents, the “Trump-Orbán axis” has a twofold goal: to weaken the supranational institutions of the European Union and to introduce a new, nation-state-centric economic model that is more favorable to the American fossil fuel industry and traditional industrial sectors.

“The current form of CO₂ taxes and the green transition is Europe’s industrial suicide,” a document quoted an adviser close to Trump as saying. Viktor Orbán has long voiced similar views, but now they appear to be gaining institutional support from across the ocean.

Officials in Brussels are watching the developments with dismay. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s staff has been trying to assess the risks for weeks. According to a Brussels source, “if Orbán is indeed a serious candidate for the Commission presidency or a higher, newly created strategic role, it could fundamentally shake up the current balance of power.”

The Hungarian politician’s close associates deny that this is an official candidacy, but do not rule out the possibility of a “European-level role.” “It is in the interest of Hungary and Europe that strong, sovereign voices represent reality in climate policy,” said a government official in Budapest.

According to the details of the plan, Viktor Orbán’s position would not necessarily be the Commission presidency, but a new, “strategic sovereignty” commissioner or vice-president role with broad powers in the fields of energy, industry and foreign policy. This position would allow him to influence decision-making from within.

In Washington, several Republican senators have supported the idea that “Europe should follow its own interests, not the dictates of the global green lobby.” Trump himself has repeatedly hinted that he is looking for allies in Europe against the “radical left climate agenda.”

According to the leaked strategy, the next step would be a coordinated campaign in the European Parliament and between member states’ governments. Several eastern and southern member states – Poland, Slovakia, Italy and possibly some forces in France – have indicated their openness to such a change of direction.

Ursula von der Leyen’s supporters, however, warn that a Commission led by Orbán would endanger EU cohesion funds, rule of law mechanisms and aid to Ukraine.

“This is not just about Orbán. This is about a larger geopolitical game, in which the interests of Russia, China and American conservative forces also intersect,” said a Brussels think-tank analyst.

From the perspective of the Hungarian economy, the plan could be promising. The Hungarian government has long struggled to retain funds from Brussels. Taking an internal position would allow these funds to arrive more quickly, while green regulations are relaxed.

However, there are risks. The Green and Liberal factions of the European Parliament are already mobilizing against a possible “Orbán candidacy.” “This would be the funeral of democracy in Europe,” said a German Green Party member.

According to analysts in Washington, Trump’s possible return after 2024 could significantly accelerate the process. The former president has already indicated that his “America First” policy includes supporting strong European allies who do not serve the interests of the global elite.

Viktor Orbán is cautious in his own statements, but he is increasingly talking about “European renewal” and “regaining sovereignty.” In his latest speech, he said: “The bureaucracy in Brussels is out of touch with reality. It is time for nations to take back control.”

The diplomatic maneuvering taking place behind the scenes is intensifying. Hungarian delegations regularly travel to Washington and other European capitals. The official agenda of the meetings always includes different topics, but according to the participants, the real topic is always the same: the realignment of power in Brussels.

This development could be historic for the future of the European Union. If successful, the Union could transform into a looser, nation-state-centric alliance that places less emphasis on central regulation and climate goals.

Critics, however, say it would spell the end of the Union in its current form. “It would be a classic example of a Trojan horse strategy,” said a Dutch analyst.

The anticipation is tense in both Budapest and Brussels. The coming months will determine whether the “Trump-Orbán axis” can truly transform European politics or whether it remains an ambitious but doomed experiment.

It is also a key issue for the global economic order. The re-emphasis of fossil fuels, traditional autos, and nuclear power could trigger a massive capital inflow that could reshape Europe’s industrial map.

Viktor Orbán’s supporters say this is not a retreat but a push forward—a push that could put Hungary and like-minded nations at the center of decision-making.

The New York Times reached out to both the European Commission and the Hungarian government. Both sides issued cautious statements, emphasizing the importance of “constructive dialogue.”

Meanwhile, whispers are growing louder in the corridors of Brussels: the next great European leader may not come from Western Europe, but from Central Europe – from a politician who has been fighting against the Brussels mainstream for decades.

The story is far from over. The next European summits and the outcome of the US elections will decide whether the “T.R.U.M.P.-Orbán axis” remains a conspiracy theory or truly rewrites European history.