First the U.S., then Argentina—now Hungary? Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s government is considering leaving the World Health Organization (WHO), his office confirmed Thursday.
After Donald Trump pulled the U.S. out in January and Argentina’s President Javier Milei followed suit, Hungary is now openly debating whether to take the same path. Gergely Gulyás, the minister overseeing Orbán’s office, told reporters that when the world’s most powerful nation exits an international body, Hungary must carefully evaluate its own stance.
“We may decide to stay, or we may reach a different conclusion,” Gulyás said, emphasizing that the decision warrants serious consideration, especially since the U.S.—a leading democracy—is leaving voluntarily.
Trump and his allies have long criticized the WHO, accusing it of undermining national sovereignty, favoring China, and mishandling the COVID-19 pandemic. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus rejected these claims, insisting the organization remains impartial and exists to serve all nations.
“When requests exceed our mission to support global health, we say no—politely,” Tedros said in a speech to member states Monday.
For now, Hungary hasn’t made a final decision, but with two major nations already out, the debate is heating u
