Orban calls for resistance against EU, drawing parallels to 1956 Hungarian Uprising
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban invoked the legacy of the 1956 Hungarian Uprising on Wednesday, urging his compatriots to "resist Brussels" just as they once resisted Soviet forces. Speaking to thousands in a Budapest park on the anniversary of the uprising, Orban framed Hungary’s relationship with the EU as a critical moment of decision.
"Should we give in to a foreign power—Brussels this time—or should we resist? That is the difficult decision Hungary must make: I propose that our answer be as clear and unambiguous as in 1956," Orban announced to his audience. Orban, who has steadily consolidated power since returning to office in 2010, has drawn frequent criticism from the European Commission and faced sanctions from the Court of Justice for undermining democratic checks and balances.
Tensions between Hungary and the EU have escalated in recent months. Orban's "peace mission" during Hungary's EU presidency took him to meetings with Russian president Vladimir Putin and Chinese president Xi Jinping, moves that angered EU leaders. He was criticised by European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and other EU countries, who were not consulted ahead of these meetings.
"We know that they want to force us into a war"
Orban, however, portrayed the EU as a domineering force trying to reduce Hungary to "a puppet state" and "a vassal state." Unlike the 1956 uprising, which was crushed by the Soviets, Orban promised that "we will win." He also linked his defiance of the EU to broader grievances. "We know that they want to force us into a war," he said, referencing the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. "We know that they want to impose their migrants on us. We know that they want to entrust our children to gender ideologists." Orban emphasised that his government is facing "increasing pressure" from external forces.
Orban's criticism of Western support for Ukraine is not new. Just last week, he took aim at Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky's "victory plan," reflecting his consistent opposition to European backing for Ukraine since the war with Russia began more than two and a half years ago.
Hungary's prime minister Viktor Orban delivers a speech during an event to commemorate the 68th anniversary of the Hungarian uprising against the Soviet occupation. © PHOTO ATTILA KISBENEDEK / AFP
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