FALCON POWERS – Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban stated on Friday that senior officials in the European Union (EU) must step down and be replaced, stating that they do not deserve another chance after the upcoming European Parliament elections.
The nationalist leader is facing one of the toughest elections during his 14-year tenure, as Hungary’s economy is experiencing a recession, and Orban is embroiled in a scandal that tarnishes his image as a defender of family values. Additionally, a new contender has emerged in the political arena, threatening to upset the current balance. Orban told his supporters during the launch of his nationalist party Fidesz’s campaign for the elections, which are scheduled to take place from June 6th to 9th, “There is a big problem in Brussels, and that is the failure of the (European Union) leadership.”
He added, “If your performance has been poor during your term, and you have posed a danger to voters. And if voters do not expect anything more from you, then you have only one thing to do: put on your hats and leave.”
Orban has long been at odds with his allies in the European Union and Washington on a range of issues, including his refusal to send weapons to Kyiv and maintaining economic relations with Moscow since the Russian forces invaded Ukraine in 2022.
Budapest has been in disputes with the European Commission over reforms to the rule of law, leading to the suspension of billions of euros in EU funding for Hungary.
