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PM Orbán: I am resolute, migrants cannot be allowed in

In a candid appearance on the Pikk Extra podcast, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán engaged in a wide-ranging discussion with journalists Zsolt Bayer and Áron Ambrózy, touching on the challenges facing Hungary and the wider European political landscape. Central to the conversation were Hungary’s position on migration, the ongoing war in Ukraine, and the ideological battles shaping the future of the European Union.

According to the prime minister, migration remains an existential threat to Hungary and Europe. “I am resolute, migrants cannot be allowed in,” he said, warning that granting any legal status to illegal entrants would mark the point of no return. He linked the EU’s migration policy to a broader agenda of transforming the continent into a centralized empire, stating, “What strikes us as insane is the imperial concept of a European United States, and that is what we are fighting against.”

Prime Minister Orbán reiterated that Hungary will not comply with Brussels’ migration pact, regardless of its formal adoption. He emphasized that the preservation of national identity and sovereignty hinges on secure borders, and any compromise would undermine Hungary’s future. He expressed hope that a shifting European mood and renewed cooperation within the Visegrád Group (V4) could restore balance between supranational ambitions and a Europe of nations.

Turning to Ukraine, the prime minister addressed the death of a Hungarian citizen during a reported incident of forced conscription. “Even in a country at war, it is unacceptable to beat someone to death for failing to enlist,” he said. As a dual national and EU citizen, the victim’s death underscored Hungary’s responsibility to act. PM Orbán confirmed that Hungary is supporting the deceased’s family and pressing the European Union to respond, asserting that Brussels cannot promote Ukraine’s EU accession while ignoring such violations.

Beyond the specific tragedy, he criticized the EU’s push to fast-track Ukraine’s membership, warning that deeper forces are at play. The prime minister argued that the departure of the United Kingdom disrupted the prior balance within the EU, paving the way for an aggressive centralization agenda. “The moment the British left, things began to tip. We’ve moved from a Europe of balanced debate to one driven by madness disguised as policy.”

Despite international tensions, Prime Minister Orbán expressed confidence in Hungary’s domestic direction. He pointed to economic stability, employment growth, and the government’s record of delivering on promises made during the 2022 elections.

 “We’ve completed over 90 percent of what we pledged. That’s why I can sit here with calm and confidence,” he said.

PM Orbán also acknowledged the growing influence of digital political movements but maintained that success still depends on delivering tangible results. “Politics and real life are built on facts, and especially for a governing party like ours, the strongest argument is what we’ve put on the table. If we’ve done it right, it’s unbeatable.”