In a fiery speech marking the anniversary of Hungary’s 1848 revolution against Austrian rule, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán pledged to rid the country of what he described as a “shadow army” working for foreign interests, including the European Union and a “liberal American empire.”
Speaking to supporters on Saturday, Orbán framed his government’s mission as a battle against external forces seeking to undermine Hungary’s sovereignty. “After today’s festive gathering comes the Easter cleaning. The bugs have overwintered,” he declared. “We will dismantle the financial machine that has used corrupt dollars to buy politicians, judges, journalists, pseudo-NGOs, and political activists. We will eliminate the entire shadow army.”
Orbán accused Brussels of abusing its power, drawing parallels between the EU and the Austrian Empire, which once ruled over Hungary. “There is always an empire trying to take away the freedom of Hungarians, and right now, it is the one in Brussels,” he said. “They want to rule over us, just as the governors of the Viennese court did in the past.”
Orbán’s Stance on Ukraine and EU
The Hungarian leader has consistently opposed the European Union’s military support for Ukraine and its push for Ukrainian membership in the bloc. Earlier this month, Orbán vetoed an EU effort to replace U.S. military aid to Ukraine, forcing the remaining 26 member states to issue their conclusions without Hungary’s support.
In his speech, Orbán reiterated his criticism of the EU’s approach to the war in Ukraine, accusing Brussels of using the conflict as a tool for expansion. “We did not jump into the war with Brussels. The Empire does not want to help, but to colonize. The means of this is war—it will cost what it costs, and then Ukraine will gain EU membership,” he said.
He further argued that the EU’s support for Ukraine comes at the expense of European taxpayers. “The rulers of Europe decided that Ukraine must continue the war at all costs, and it will get fast-track EU membership in exchange, using our money. We can only have one answer to that: a Union but without Ukraine,” Orbán stated.
Election Heat Fuels Orbán’s Rhetoric
Orbán’s combative rhetoric comes as Hungary prepares for a general election next year. His party, Fidesz, faces a growing challenge from the Tisza party, led by his former ally Péter Magyar. Tisza has surged in recent polls, with both parties now neck-and-neck at around 40% support.
While Fidesz remains Hungary’s largest political force, its performance in last year’s European Parliament elections was its weakest to date, with Tisza capturing 30% of the vote. The rising competition may have contributed to Orbán’s increasingly incendiary tone, as he seeks to rally his base ahead of the upcoming election.
In his speech, Orbán also framed his political struggle as part of a broader cultural and demographic battle. “The battle today is actually being fought for the soul of the Western world,” he said. “The empire wants to mix and then replace the indigenous people of Europe with invading masses arriving from foreign civilizations.”
As Hungary’s political landscape grows more contentious, Orbán’s rhetoric underscores his determination to position himself as a defender of national sovereignty against what he portrays as encroaching foreign influence.