London, October 2025 — Former President Barack Obama has warned of a “rising wave of authoritarianism sweeping the globe,” cautioning that no country is immune from attacks on democracy. He spoke during a discussion with democracy activists from Hungary and Poland, highlighting concerns about civil liberties, media freedom, and the justice system.
“We’re seeing politicians target civil society, undermine freedom of the press, weaponize the justice system,” Obama said. “Even countries that thought they were immune now understand we are all part of one struggle.”
The event included panelists who participated in the Obama Foundation’s young leaders program. They were Sándor Léderer, co-founder of an anti-corruption group in Hungary; Stefania Kapronczay, former co-director of the Hungarian Civil Liberties Union; and Zuzanna Rudzinska-Bluszcz, former Deputy Justice Minister of Poland.
Obama’s remarks, though not naming President Donald Trump, were widely interpreted as a veiled critique of the current U.S. administration and its alignment with populist and authoritarian leaders abroad. Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, known for promoting “illiberal democracy,” has been praised by Trump, while Poland recently elected a right-wing populist president.
The former president emphasized that populist movements often thrive when centrist governments fail to meet public expectations. “Governments, whether center-right or center-left, losing touch with people opens the door for right-wing populism, anti-immigrant sentiment, anger, and grievances,” he said.
Obama also highlighted structural challenges, noting wealth gaps, complex economies, and the influence of social media. “People feel they don’t have control, and social media amplifies fear and anger,” he added.
The former president contrasted authoritarians’ tactics with democratic governance, explaining that they often focus on “breaking things” rather than building sustainable solutions. “They remove constraints on their actions and empower themselves in a small group, but solving big problems like healthcare or education requires creating new structures,” he said.
Obama concluded by urging leaders and citizens worldwide to strengthen institutions and ensure meaningful participation, warning that unchecked populism and authoritarianism threaten global stability.
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