At the heart of his remarks was a candid depiction of political life. “Politics is like rugby. You fight while you run, and if you have the ball, you’re the one getting tackled,” said Prime Minister Orbán, stressing the constant state of engagement required in public office. “You can’t get comfortable — if you stop, they’ll take you down.” This analogy underscored his belief that political leadership demands relentless focus and stamina.
Reflecting on the Hungarian temperament, the prime minister remarked, “We Hungarians are like this—it’s our nature to grumble and complain.” He noted that public skepticism extended even to Tibor Kapu’s space mission, despite its potential to benefit Hungarian science. “There are those who ask why we need to send someone into space. But the research conducted will yield valuable information for our scientists,” he explained. He contrasted this skepticism with a more ambitious national spirit: “There’s another part of society that believes we Hungarians are capable of anything — if we pull ourselves together.”
Turning to the resignation of former justice minister Judit Varga, Prime Minister Orbán spoke with clear regret. “She had prime ministerial talent,” he stated. “She tried to resign three times because of family matters. She stayed on, but it was a huge loss. It’s rare for such a natural talent to appear in politics. She needed another four to eight years.”
On his own style of leadership, Prime Minister Orbán described a balance between vision and restraint. “I think radically, but I act with moderation,” he said. “That’s part of the Hungarian mindset, too.” He emphasized that his political approach is shaped by deep analysis, not forecasts: “I don’t have a crystal ball. I try to understand the world, and that takes enormous energy.”
One key moment of urgency, he recalled, came in 2015 during the migrant crisis. His wife, working on the front lines with a humanitarian group, returned with a clear warning: “These are all military-age men. We can’t let them in.” Her firsthand experience helped drive Hungary’s swift and firm policy decisions.
Discussing the evolution of political communication, Prime Minister Orbán noted the shift from language to imagery. “Today, young people send pictures instead of texts. In a way, images carry more data than a Dostoevsky novel—but they damage understanding,” he warned. He added that the level of political discourse has declined since the 1990s, though adapting to the new medium remains essential.
“I am the man of the Hungarian people. Even those who don’t vote for us benefit from our policies,” he said. “And those who stand against us are always directed from the outside.” With nearly 15 years at the helm, Prime Minister Orbán reaffirmed his belief that strong national leadership must be guided by both reflection and resolve.