Viktor Orbán, a prominent Hungarian political leader, has justified his government’s use of veto power in the European Union, framing it as a countermeasure against what he perceives as political pressure from Brussels. During an international press conference in Belgium, Orbán reiterated his commitment to bolstering conservative and sovereigntist movements across the continent.
According to Orbán, despite some electoral setbacks, parties with patriotic and anti-immigration stances are gaining momentum. He attributed this trend to growing dissatisfaction with the EU’s management of issues such as security, migration, economic competitiveness, and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, which he claims are driving support for these movements.
Addressing disputes over EU funding, Orbán reflected on his previous government’s stance, which saw the withholding of funds as a form of political leverage. In response, Hungary threatened to veto critical EU decisions, including the approval of the bloc’s upcoming seven-year budget. Orbán indicated that Hungary should persist in using its veto power if it is necessary to obtain the funds it believes are rightfully theirs.
Orbán also voiced criticism of EU mechanisms that tie funding to political and legal conditions, arguing that these measures could be used as tools for future political pressure against member states. He suggested that such conditions undermine the autonomy of individual nations within the union.
Looking to the future, Orbán predicted a rise in influence for conservative and patriotic parties across Europe. He suggested that center-right parties may eventually face a critical decision between aligning with the political left or fostering greater unity among right-leaning forces.