February 16, 2026, 2:00 p.mFebruary 16, 2026, 2:00 p.m
Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton warns of a “transatlantic alliance of autocracy” that could undermine democracy. Russian President Vladimir Putin is promoting and financing this.
Hillary Clinton warns of an “alliance of autocracy” in Germany.Image: IMAGO / Panama Pictures
“He is the main instigator of measures against democracy across Europe – and he has many allies in the USA,” said Clinton at the “World Forum 2026” conference in Berlin.
Anyone who supports democracy and a fair distribution of wealth must be aware of powerful opponents. “It has been coming for a very long time,” said the 78-year-old, who lost to Republican Donald Trump as the US Democratic presidential candidate in 2016.
“Many years ago I said that there was a big right-wing conspiracy and people made terrible fun of me. But you know what? There was and there is.”
Today you can see this everywhere: money flows from Putin and his oligarchic allies to political parties in Europe, and “techno-autocrats like Elon Musk” are directed at right-wing parties in Germany and Great Britain.
“It’s not spontaneous, it’s not a charismatic person coming forward,” Clinton said. “It is a movement to turn back the clock with regard to democracy, the rule of law and the rights of all of us.”
The “World Forum 2026” is a conference co-organized by the Cinema for Peace Foundation and runs parallel to the Berlinale. (hkl/sda/dpa)