Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán stated in a speech in Budapest that the leaders of the European Union are steering the bloc towards isolation. He also expressed his belief that the new US president and the right-wing faction within the EU will shape future political dynamics.

Orbán remarked that Europe has distanced itself from key global players in the emerging world order, which includes the new US administration, Russia, China, and Africa.

In light of the election of US President Donald Trump and the emergence of the Patriots for Europe, a right-wing group in the European Parliament, Orbán anticipates a collaboration among these forces to initiate a “reconstruction of the Western world.”

These comments were made during a conference titled “Successful Hungarian Presidency 2024 – A Chance for the European Union,” organized by the 21st Century Institute and the Mathias Corvinus Collegium in Budapest.

Highlighting Hungary’s EU presidency in the latter half of the previous year as a pivotal moment, Orbán criticized EU leaders for leading the bloc into isolation. He warned that “if the current situation persists, the EU risks becoming a significant loser in the new world order… we do not wish to be among the losers, thank you.”

Expressing his support for the incoming US President Donald Trump, he noted that “the Western world now has a patriotic, pro-peace, pro-family, anti-migration president” in Washington, adding that “in just a few hours, a new light will shine over Brussels.”

Viktor Orbán addressed the situation by highlighting the emergence of “a new president in America, a significant patriotic movement in Brussels, and a wave of enthusiasm among dedicated patriots who cherish their homeland.” He remarked that “the European Union is currently the ailing entity in Europe.”

He pointed out familiar issues, stating, “The EU fails to ensure peace and security for Europe and its surrounding regions, cannot effectively manage illegal migration, lacks a viable future for agriculture, and the potential accession of Ukraine would jeopardize EU farmers.”

The Hungarian Prime Minister emphasized that “the bureaucrats in Brussels” remain unconvinced of these realities, noting that “as the EU continues to face one failure after another, the institutions in Brussels are only gaining strength and seeking to expand their authority.”

According to him, “In Brussels, there is a belief that the EU is functioning properly. They perceive the goal of European integration as the establishment of a bureaucracy that governs over nation-states.”

Orbán asserted that a transformation is essential to “restore” the European Union, which could be pursued “through political avenues, from external sources, and in opposition to Brussels,” or even by utilizing mechanisms within the EU. “Hungary stands as a challenger to the Brussels framework.”

He described Brussels as being “dominated by an oligarchy aligned with the left-liberal and trans-Atlantic elite,” which operates on a federal basis rather than respecting the sovereignty of individual nation-states.

Orbán ultimately accused George Soros, the American billionaire investor born in Budapest, of funding a “united liberal front” that targets sovereigntists and patriots. He argued that this opposition arises from their commitment to ensuring that the rule of law and anti-corruption measures are upheld in Brussels.

“They will resort to any means necessary; they will offer positions, scholarships, recognition, publicity, power, and financial incentives; and if required, they will resort to threats of fines, financial penalties, or the revocation of your voting rights.”

Discussing Hungary specifically, he asserted that the country’s economic neutrality represents an alternative approach to the expectations set by the EU. He maintained that Hungary’s economy is “performing well” and described its state administration and national identity as a bold and innovative experiment on a global scale.