Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban stated that the real threat to Hungary comes from the European Union, not Russia, during his annual state of the nation address in Budapest.
In his annual state of the nation address in Budapest, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban claimed that Russia does not pose a real threat to Hungary, but rather the European Union does. This statement reflects Orban's ongoing anti-EU rhetoric as he prepares for the upcoming parliamentary elections on April 12. He argues that if his Fidesz party does not win, EU actions could lead to Hungarian soldiers being sent to the front lines in Ukraine, framing the EU as a direct danger to national sovereignty.
Orban's speech drew a comparison between the EU and Soviet oppression, a sentiment designed to resonate with Hungarians who experienced decades of Communist rule. He dismissed the notion of Russia and its president, Vladimir Putin, being the central threat to Europe, calling it 'primitive' and 'disrespectful.' Instead, he urged his constituents to direct their fears toward Brussels, characterizing the EU as a tangible source of immediate danger rather than a distant threat from the east.
As Hungary approaches its elections, Orban’s anti-EU message is likely aimed at consolidating his support base, leveraging historical grievances against Brussels to frame the EU as an oppressor. This strategy seeks to rally voters around a narrative that emphasizes national autonomy and skepticism toward European governance, presenting himself and his party as defenders of Hungarian sovereignty against external pressures.
