BRUSSELS, Belgium: Hungary’s nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban is set for a heated confrontation in the European Parliament as he presents his government’s priorities halfway through Hungary’s controversial EU presidency.
Orban, a close ally of Russia’s Vladimir Putin, has been at odds with Brussels over a range of issues, from delaying aid to Ukraine to enacting domestic laws viewed as a rollback of democratic standards.
Since assuming the six-month EU presidency in July, Orban has further strained relations by embarking on uncoordinated diplomatic missions, including trips to Kyiv, Moscow, and Beijing. These efforts, which the EU saw as a breach of protocol, prompted European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to order senior officials to boycott Hungary’s high-level meetings.
While Orban is officially tasked with outlining Hungary’s EU presidency priorities, the debate is likely to center on his government’s stance on Ukraine, immigration, and trade relations with China. Notably, Orban has advocated for a swift peace deal with Russia, in direct opposition to the EU’s pro-Ukraine policies.
Tensions are also high over Hungary’s controversial approach to immigration. Orban’s government has threatened to bus asylum seekers to Brussels as a protest against EU refugee policies, which may further escalate the debate.
Despite the internal discord, Orban has used his social media platforms to rally support from like-minded leaders across Europe, particularly from far-right parties gaining influence in countries such as Italy and Austria. He has framed his mission as reclaiming Europe from Brussels bureaucrats and returning power to the people.
However, Orban faces stiff opposition from liberal lawmakers in the European Parliament. Many, including France’s Valerie Hayer, accuse him of undermining the EU’s democratic values and promoting autocratic interests that align with Putin’s agenda. The European Commission has already withheld billions in funds from Hungary over concerns related to corruption and rule-of-law violations.
While Orban enjoys domestic support, his government remains under intense scrutiny in Brussels, especially regarding democratic backsliding. The coming debates will test whether Orban can balance his anti-EU rhetoric with the need to secure vital EU funds for Hungary.
