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

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https://www.npr.org/2026/05/21/nx-s1-5827032/liberal-u-s-mayor-trump-europe-pact-of-free-cities-democracy-authoritarianism-orban

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.

"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 democratic values backslide in our country, but also the destruction of long-standing relationships all over the world, but particularly with our European counterparts," said Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval.