Alice Weidel, co-leader of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, praised Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, calling him a “beacon of freedom” at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Budapest.

Speaking in English, Weidel said, “The wind of change is blowing.” Referring to the decision by the German intelligence service to label the AfD a “far-right extremist” group — despite the party securing second place in February’s elections — Weidel stated: “They are spying on the opposition in order to denounce the AfD as an enemy of the constitution, fabricating a pretext to outlaw our party.”

Amid enthusiastic applause from the conference audience, Weidel emphasized that efforts by German courts to ban the AfD would not prevail.

The party has taken legal action to contest the decision by the domestic intelligence agency.

The annual conference in Budapest is affiliated with the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in the United States. Orban uses the event to foster networking among international right-wing organizations.

This year’s conference features the participation of Herbert Kickl, leader of Austria’s Freedom Party; Robert Fico, Prime Minister of Slovakia; and Irakli Kobakhidze, Prime Minister of Georgia.

Yesterday, opening the conference, the Hungarian Prime Minister described Donald Trump’s presidency as “a real cultural turning point.” “We will not drown in a sea of wokeness; we will not be overrun by migrants. Donald Trump gave the world hope for a normal life and peace,” Orban declared in his keynote speech.

The former U.S. president sent a video message played at the event, in which he praised Orban as “a great man who is highly respected by all.” “He has done an excellent job as a leader and is a very special person,” Trump said.