Alice Weidel, the leader of Germany's Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, is scheduled to meet with Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban following an invitation announced on Monday.

This meeting is seen as a sign of the AfD's increasing international acceptance after a period of isolation due to its controversial nationalist positions.

Orban, renowned for his strong anti-immigration policies and advocacy for close ties with Russia, stated that the initiative for the meeting had originated from Weidel.

In an interview with Switzerland’s Neue Zuercher Zeitung, he acknowledged the AfD's rising importance within German politics, suggesting the party could secure up to 20% of the vote in the national election scheduled for February 23.

Historically, Orban has distanced himself from the AfD to preserve relations with Germany’s main political parties, which regard the AfD as politically undesirable.

The AfD remains under the scrutiny of German security services due to allegations of extremist tendencies.

Recent developments, including the potential return of Donald Trump to political prominence, could be influencing these diplomatic engagements.

Both the AfD and Orban have expressed support for Trump, indicating a possible shift in their international relationships.

The AfD has aligned with Orban's views, particularly regarding immigration limitations, focusing on reducing influxes from Muslim-majority countries and re-establishing ties with Russia, even amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

The party has also seen a notable increase in financial support; a recent disclosure from the German parliament revealed that the AfD received a 2.3 million euro donation on February 1 from a far-right Austrian politician, marking the largest single donation in its history.

This followed two donations in January from German businessmen, totaling nearly 2.5 million euros.

Elon Musk, noted for his expansive influence, recently endorsed the AfD on social media platform X, stating, "only the AfD can save Germany," and had a one-hour dialogue with Weidel.

Presently, the AfD ranks second in polls behind Friedrich Merz’s conservative bloc, although its chances of entering government remain slim as mainstream parties consistently exclude it from coalition negotiations.

A recent parliamentary motion, supported by the AfD, marked a significant event in German politics as it was the first time since World War II that such support was given, resulting in nationwide protests and resignations within Merz’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU), the party responsible for submitting the motion.

The impending meeting between Weidel and Orban symbolizes the evolving political dynamics and the AfD's expanding international reach as it aims to consolidate support from key political figures and institutions to advance its agenda both domestically and abroad.