In a speech at the annual Tusvanyos Summer University in Baile Tusnad, Hungary’s nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orbán voiced concerns about the European Union’s direction, suggesting that it was heading towards irrelevance. He criticized Europe for blindly following the foreign policy of the United States, particularly in relation to the Democratic Party, at the expense of its own interests.
Orbán predicted a significant shift in the global order, pointing to countries like China, India, Pakistan, and Indonesia as emerging power centers. He also made unfounded allegations about the United States being involved in sabotaging gas pipelines between Russia and Germany.
Orbán’s controversial statements follow his recent unofficial visits to Moscow and Beijing, which have drawn criticism from other European leaders. He has been advocating for a different approach to the conflict in Ukraine, suggesting that the country may become a buffer state rather than a member of NATO or the EU.
The Hungarian leader’s firm stance on not providing military support to Ukraine and obstructing financial aid and sanctions against Russia sets him apart from his EU counterparts. Orbán, known for his anti-immigration and conservative ideologies, has faced accusations of undermining democracy and the rule of law within Hungary.
During his speech, Orbán endorsed former U.S. President Donald Trump’s bid for re-election, drawing parallels between Trump’s nationalist stance and his own views on preserving national identity. He claimed that there were efforts to undermine Trump’s candidacy, including assassination threats.
Orbán has a history of using the Tusvanyos platform to convey his political agenda, such as his ambition to establish an “illiberal state” in Hungary in 2014. He remains a controversial figure within the EU, with his strong anti-immigration policies and skepticism towards a multicultural society.
Despite holding the EU’s rotating presidency, Orbán’s actions and statements continue to fuel tensions within the bloc, reflecting his unyielding nationalist and anti-globalist stance.
