Hungary PM Orbán Delivers Provocative Speech in Romania

In a provocative speech delivered at a festival in Baile Tusnad, Romania, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán criticized the West and outlined his vision for the shifting global power dynamics.

Orbán argued that Russia’s leadership is “hyper-rational,” asserting, “Russia’s position in world affairs is rational and predictable.” He also praised Russia for its ability to adapt to Western sanctions, stating, “Russia has shown economic flexibility.”

Hungarian PM provocatively suggested that Russia’s influence is partly due to its opposition to LGBTQ+ rights. “The strongest international appeal of Russian soft power is its opposition to LGBTQ,” Orbán remarked. Notably, in recent years Hungary has also passed its own anti-LGBTQ laws.

He was also dismissive of Ukraine’s chances of joining the EU or NATO, declaring, “We Europeans do not have enough money for that.” He stressed the difficulty Ukraine faces despite the EU’s initiation of membership talks and NATO’s endorsement of Ukraine’s path to membership.

Projecting forward, Orbán forecasted a significant shift in global power, saying, “In the next long decades, maybe centuries, Asia will be the dominant centre of the world.” He specifically mentioned China, India, Pakistan, and Indonesia as future major global powers.

In contrast to his critical view of Western democracies, Orban’s recent diplomatic efforts were directed at strengthing ties with Moscow.