Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban walks as he attends a European Union leaders summit, in Brussels, Belgium December 14, 2023. REUTERS/Yves Herman
In a defiant act of nationalistic fervor, Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban took to the airwaves, proudly proclaiming his veto of financial aid to Ukraine and asserting his potential to obstruct its journey toward EU membership. Orban, a seasoned practitioner of leveraging clashes with Brussels for domestic political gain, sought to reinforce his image as a lone warrior championing Hungarian interests.
The spectacle of other EU leaders proceeding with crucial decisions on Ukraine’s accession talks without Orban, who was effectively asked to leave the room, underscored the limits of his influence within the 27-member bloc. Despite this setback, Orban remains a formidable figure capable of impeding future EU decisions related to Ukraine, including its accession path, budget matters, and forthcoming negotiations on long-term aid in the coming year.
Addressing the Hungarian audience via state radio, Orban left little room for ambiguity, emphasizing his readiness to wield the power of veto. He characterized Ukraine’s potential EU accession as a protracted process, with Hungary possessing approximately 75 instances to halt it at will. Orban asserted that Hungarians would not bear the financial consequences of the decision, adopting a posture that positioned him as a stalwart defender of national interests.
Orban’s protracted conflicts with Brussels over rule-of-law issues, marked by increased control over the judiciary, media, and civil society, have incurred penalties such as frozen EU funds. Undeterred, he announced plans to claim all frozen EU funds earmarked for Hungary in the coming year, asserting the nation’s entitlement to its share. Despite the European Commission unlocking 10.2 billion euros, only a fraction of the suspended funds, Hungary’s leader remains resolute in pursuing the full amount, amounting to around 21 billion euros.
As Orban persists in his collision course with EU leaders, the upcoming European Parliament elections in June and Hungary’s assumption of the EU’s rotating presidency later in the year loom large. Analysts note that Orban’s strategic maneuvering positions him as an anti-EU rebel, adept at shaping policy and ideological priorities, particularly in light of Hungary’s 2024 EU Presidency.
While Orban’s isolation in Brussels has deepened, losing the support of Poland and facing a more assertive EU-Hungary dynamic, he has found solace in Moscow’s approval. The Kremlin, impressed by Hungary’s resolute defense of its interests, praised Orban’s defiance, further straining relations with the EU and the United States.
In the streets of Budapest, where anti-EU sentiments have been amplified through a campaign vilifying European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen, Orban’s stance resonates with segments of the Hungarian population. As he persists in challenging EU decisions, Orban continues to galvanize support domestically, presenting himself as a stalwart defender against perceived external encroachments on Hungary’s sovereignty.
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