Viktor Orban, the former Prime Minister of Hungary who lost his position after 16 years in April elections, attended this year’s Summer University in Băile Tușnad, Romania. During his speech, he criticized the European Union and the current Hungarian government in front of a large audience.
As the leader of the Fidesz party, which has had numerous conflicts with Brussels during his tenure, Orban claimed that the European Union is not sustainable and will cease to exist in 25 years, according to the Hungarian publication HVG.
Responding to questions, he stated he does not aspire to become the President of the European Commission, but discussed a plan he envisioned during his time in office. “We need to fill Brussels with patriots and reduce the Commission,” Orban declared.
Criticism of Peter Magyar and the New Hungarian Government
In his speech at Băile Tușnad, Orban also expressed a desire to establish a “resistance policy.” He believes Fidesz must move past its defeat in the April elections and focus on defending Hungary’s freedom, which he claims is under threat.
“FIDESZ’s task today is to serve and support national resistance. The aim of this resistance is to restore freedom. (…) Now, FIDESZ must reach out to all who love freedom. Therefore, FIDESZ should not act like a party but rather as a service center, an incubator. It must help those who support freedom to multiply. The objective for FIDESZ now is not power, but freedom,” Orban added, as reported by Agerpres.
He criticized the government led by the Tisza party for engaging in authoritarian practices that threaten democracy. In this context, he highlighted the investigation of political opponents and the decision to amend the Constitution to remove the president.
“For several months, there has been no economic governance. Instead, there is Facebook-style governance, with theatrics and a narrative of ‘Let the enemies die!,'” Orban stated according to the official translation.
Orban further asserted that the Tisza government “does not tell the truth about the state of the economy and fails to prepare the country for potential crises,” misleading citizens with promises that “everything will be fine.”
Response from the Current Prime Minister
Peter Magyar, who defeated Orban in the April elections, responded distantly to the former Prime Minister via a Facebook post.
“It is futile to deal with an inexorable mafia boss who has fallen from grace,” wrote the current Hungarian Prime Minister and Tisza leader.
“Thank you for your wisdom and trust in Hungary,” Magyar added.
