“We are gathered here to express our respect and bow our heads before the heroes of the revolution,” said PM Orbán, opening his remarks by emphasizing the importance of remembering Hungary’s fight for freedom. The prime minister recalled how the Hungarian people overcame the hardships of both natural disasters and political oppression in 1956, describing it as a time when "the Danube and history both overflowed their banks."
In his speech, PM Orbán connected the revolutionary spirit of 1956 with the unity displayed by Hungarians during recent challenges, such as defending the nation against a devastating flood just weeks ago. “What the water management workers, disaster relief teams, soldiers, police, and volunteers accomplished was superhuman work,” he said, highlighting the collective strength of the Hungarian people in times of crisis.
“When danger approaches, we must stand together. Hungarians are a proud and stubborn people, but we follow the rule of unity because without unity, there is no freedom,” PM Orbán said.
The prime minister also took aim at foreign influence, making a direct comparison to Hungary’s resistance to Soviet control. “The empire always loves to hide its brutal face, and it always wants someone to invite it in,” PM Orbán said, underscoring his belief that external forces are once again attempting to undermine Hungary’s sovereignty.
Reflecting on 1956, the prime minister remarked, “The Hungarian people have never allowed any occupier to break them or tame them. We taught the Soviets and their comrades that you do not mess with the Hungarians.” According to PM Orbán, just as Hungary resisted the Soviet-backed government decades ago, the nation must now resist the pressures coming from Brussels.
“Brussels wants to install a puppet government over us again,” he declared.
Turning to the present, the prime minister addressed the war in Ukraine and the broader geopolitical tensions in Europe. “Today, history is once again threatening to overflow its banks,” PM Orbán said. He criticized the European Union for its role in escalating the conflict, saying that Brussels is leading the West into an unwinnable war. “The Brussels bureaucrats have led the West into a hopeless war, and they are dragging the entire EU into it. We, Hungarians, could wake up one morning to find that Slavic soldiers from the East are stationed on our soil once more,” he cautioned, referring to the potential spread of the conflict.
The prime minister’s message was clear: Hungary must remain independent and avoid becoming entangled in international disputes that do not serve its interests. “For us, the lesson of 1956 is that we must only fight for Hungary and Hungarian freedom,” PM Orbán said, reiterating his stance that Hungary should stay out of the war in Ukraine. “We must not allow ourselves to be drawn into other nations’ wars,” he reiterated.
Turning back to the revelation that Brussels had openly announced plans to remove the Hungarian government and replace it with a pro-EU administration, the prime minister said: “Brussels declared they would rid themselves of Hungary’s government and install a puppet regime,” adding that because of this “the same question is before us as it was in 1956: Will we bow to foreign powers or will we resist?”
Concluding his speech, Prime Minister Orbán urged the nation to remain strong and resolute in the face of these challenges. “The Hungarian nation has always fought for its freedom, and we will do it again,” he said, reaffirming his commitment to protecting Hungary’s sovereignty.
“We will not allow Hungary to become a puppet state or a vassal of Brussels. The Hungarian people demand peace and freedom, and we will secure these.”