In a speech delivered on a national holiday in Hungary commemorating the country’s 1848 revolution, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán made strong statements against what he referred to as foreign influences. Orbán vowed to rid Hungary of what he described as a global “shadow army” connected to the European Union and what he termed the “liberal American empire.” He likened these entities to insects that needed to be eliminated, stating that his government would take action in the coming weeks to uproot media outlets and organizations that have received foreign funding.
Orbán, in power since 2010, has a history of criticizing the EU, comparing it to the Soviet Union and vowing to challenge its authority. Following the inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump, Orbán has intensified efforts to crackdown on critics, accusing them of undermining Hungary’s sovereignty by receiving international financial support. He has praised the U.S. administration’s actions to dismantle agencies like the U.S. Agency for International Development, claiming they were used to support causes aimed at destabilizing his government.
The Prime Minister has also proposed amendments to Hungary’s constitution that would allow for the suspension of citizenship and deportation of dual citizens deemed to threaten national security. Additionally, there are concerns about amendments that could impact the LGBTQ+ community, including a reported ban on the annual Budapest Pride event.
Orbán, known for his strong stance against immigration, has echoed conspiracy theories about a plot to reduce the influence of white populations and has raised suspicions about international assistance to Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. He has called for a halt to Ukraine’s potential EU membership and plans to hold a poll for Hungarians to voice their opinion on the matter.
These statements have stirred controversy and opposition in Hungary, with the Tisza party organizing a mass demonstration in Budapest in response.
Surrounding its leader and potential rival to Orbán, Péter Magyar, lies a group of supporters. Magyar, a former Fidesz member who has parted ways with Orbán, has established an opposition movement over the past year with the goal of unseating the Hungarian leader in the upcoming national elections. He has emphasized Hungary’s affordability issues and alleged widespread corruption within the ruling party. Recent polls indicate that Tisza is in a close race with Fidesz, possibly even leading by a few points, with approximately a year remaining until the elections.
