This morning, prominent European Union officials launched a fierce critique of Hungary’s Viktor Orban, denouncing his erosion of democratic principles and his pro-Russian stance regarding the Ukraine crisis. Orban’s address in the European Parliament took center stage, prompting sharp responses from across the political spectrum.
As Vladimir Putin’s staunchest ally in the EU, Orban’s regime remains at odds with fellow member states on several pressing matters—ranging from delaying assistance for Ukraine to undermining the rule of law domestically.
In Strasbourg, presenting the so-called “priorities” of Hungary’s nonconformist EU presidency, Orban boldly stated, “The European Union is in dire need of transformation, and I aim to persuade you of that today.” His rhetoric painted a grim picture, referring to the current geopolitical landscape as the “most severe period” in EU history, citing the war in Ukraine on Europe’s doorstep, rising Middle Eastern tensions, and a “migrant crisis” that he suggested might threaten the integrity of the Schengen open-border agreement.
The atmosphere shifted dramatically as Members of European Parliament (MEPs) took turns decrying Orban’s regime. Green co-leader Terry Reintke encapsulated the sentiment with her direct proclamation: “You are not welcome here; this is the sanctum of European democracy.”
Following Orban’s speech, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen responded with vigor, criticizing Hungary’s obstruction of EU support to Ukraine and its refusal to contribute to Western arms supply efforts against Russian aggression. “The only viable path to secure a fair resolution for Ukraine and Europe lies in unwavering support for Ukraine’s resistance—politically, financially, and militarily,” she asserted, underscoring the necessity of solidarity in these turbulent times.
The past few months have seen Orban’s administration wield the EU presidency since July, embarking on a controversial and uncoordinated “peace mission” to Kyiv, Moscow, and Beijing, raising ire in Brussels. Von der Leyen once again took aim at Orban, chastising him for his pursuit of dialogue with Putin and those who misattribute blame for the war, implying the problem lies with the invaded rather than the invader: “Those who castigate Ukraine’s aspirations for independence would do well to reassess their stance.”
Next, Manfred Weber, the head of the conservative European People’s Party, expressed his bewilderment at the absence of any acknowledgment from Orban regarding Ukraine’s struggles. “Not a single word about the humanitarian crisis! This trip was nothing but a staged propaganda event for autocratic regimes,” Weber charged vehemently.
In reaction to Orban’s uncoordinated diplomatic forays, von der Leyen instructed EU officials to withdraw from several meetings organized under the auspices of the Hungarian presidency, essentially boycotting the interactions. Furthermore, Orban’s address to the EU Parliament was postponed twice as tensions escalated.
Von der Leyen also confronted Orban over his government’s migration strategy, accusing it of “pushing problems over to neighboring countries,” especially through the premature release of those involved in people trafficking. Additionally, she criticized a Hungarian visa initiative aimed at Russian citizens, labeling it “a gateway for external manipulations.”
Mainstream EU leaders had vowed to keep Orban accountable. Among those objurgating his actions was Peter Magyar, a former Hungarian opposition leader and current MEP. Delivered alongside protests from varied political factions outside the hemicycle, one banner bore the sharp message: “No funds for corruption,” calling attention to the millions in EU aid currently withheld from Hungary due to concerns over adherence to rule-of-law standards.
Since his return to power in 2010, Orban has effectively curtailed civil liberties while tightening his control over the nation’s institutions, leading to frequent confrontations with Brussels over governance issues. However, he remains undeterred and points toward the success of far-right parties from Italy to the Netherlands and Austria, seeing this as a shift in the European political climate that may one day work to his advantage, especially with the rise of his newly formed coalition—Patriots for Europe—in the EU Parliament.
Edited by: Ali Musa
Axadle international–Monitoring
