BUDAPEST, Hungary — In a speech delivered to a large crowd on Wednesday, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán asserted that the European Union is attempting to overthrow his administration and impose a puppet regime in Hungary. This statement marks a notable increase in his confrontational stance toward the EU, particularly as Hungary is seen as one of Russia’s closest allies within the bloc.
Orbán was addressing supporters during Hungary’s national holiday, which celebrates the 1956 uprising against Soviet oppression. This historical event is deeply ingrained in the national consciousness, symbolizing the fight for independence from foreign control.
He drew comparisons between former occupiers like the Soviet Union and the Ottoman Empire and the EU, suggesting that current efforts by the bloc are reminiscent of past domination. “Independent Hungarian politics are unacceptable to Brussels,” he told the audience, referring specifically to the EU’s administrative hub in Brussels. Orbán claimed that EU leaders have openly declared intentions to dismantle Hungary’s national government and impose a regime aligned with EU interests.
Despite his assertive rhetoric, Orbán did not provide concrete evidence to back up his assertions, and there was no immediate response from EU officials. He urged the Hungarian populace to decide whether to submit to external pressures or to resist them, framing this choice in the context of the 1956 uprising.
The EU has withheld significant financial aid to Hungary due to concerns about its adherence to the rule of law. Additionally, some EU lawmakers have suggested the possibility of stripping Hungary of its voting rights because of perceived undemocratic practices. The EU Parliament has officially stated that Hungary can no longer be classified as a democracy.
Orbán’s relationship with the EU has deteriorated, particularly regarding reactions to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Hungary has often obstructed EU initiatives aimed at providing aid to Ukraine or imposing sanctions on Russia, while also taking a critical stance towards Ukraine and deepening ties with Moscow.
He has diverged from other EU leaders by calling for an immediate ceasefire and negotiations concerning Ukraine, prompting critics to accuse him of prioritizing Russian interests over those of his EU and NATO allies. “The Brussels bureaucrats have led the West into a hopeless war,” he said, asserting that the situation in Ukraine represents a Western conflict with Russia, and suggesting that EU intentions could lead to military entanglements.
Orbán made unsubstantiated claims that the EU may allow Ukrainian forces to be stationed in Hungary after a possible victory, suggesting it would be a step towards endangering Hungary’s sovereignty. “We Hungarians would wake up one morning to find that Slavic soldiers from the east were again stationed on the territory of Hungary,” he warned, voicing concern about increasing pressure from Brussels.
This speech comes at a challenging moment for Orbán’s right-wing populist government, which has experienced declining support amidst a struggling economy and emerging political rivals, including Péter Magyar and his Tisza party. As polls indicate a close race between Orbán’s Fidesz party and Tisza’s group, the Prime Minister is keen to reinforce loyalty among his supporters ahead of the national elections scheduled for 2026.
Opposition leader Magyar, who aimed to hold a commemorative march in Budapest later on Wednesday, has accused Orbán of dishonoring the legacy of the roughly 3,000 Hungarians who perished during the 1956 uprising. Interestingly, this event marked Orbán’s first speech in Budapest in three years. Instead, he previously opted to engage with his base in more conservative regions outside the capital.