Liberal U.S. mayors team up with European counterparts to fight authoritarianism

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Published 5/21/2026, 4:01:00 AM · Updated 5/21/2026, 1:18:15 PMBy TheBriefWire Editorial Team

Liberal U.S. mayors team up with European counterparts to fight authoritarianism

Key points

  • Liberal U.S. mayors team up with European counterparts to fight authoritarianism toggle caption Courtesy of the city of Bratislava/Courtesy of the city of Bratislava Right-wing populists in the U.S. have been building political ties across the Atlantic Ocean for years to support and learn from one another.
  • Think President Trump, who developed a close relationship with former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
  • Now, 10 U.S. mayors from liberal cities are following suit, joining a group called the Pact of Free Cities, where they can share strategies with their European counterparts on how to defend democracy and fight authoritarianism.
  • The American cities, including Boston, Chicago, San Antonio and Cincinnati, joined the pact virtually or in person last week for its annual meeting in Bratislava, Slovakia.
  • Sponsor Message "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...

Quick context: mayors team up with European counterparts to fight authoritarianism toggle caption Courtesy of the city of Bratislava/Courtesy of the city of Bratislava Right-wing populists in the U.S.

Published May 21, 2026.


📌 Source: NPR

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