Hungary's Prime Minister Orban Threatens to 'Occupy' Brussels in EU Sovereignty Standoff

On the eve of Hungary's national day, Prime Minister Viktor Orban made a bold declaration, rallying his supporters in Budapest as he vowed to take drastic measures to protect the nation's freedom and sovereignty. Orban, who has led the country for 14 years, has expressed his readiness to confront the European Union (EU) directly, stating his intention to "occupy" the EU's center in Brussels.

A Defiant Stand

In a gathering of approximately 1,000 supporters, the Hungarian leader emphasized the upcoming European Parliament elections as a pivotal opportunity to assert Hungary's interests. "If we want to defend Hungary's freedom and sovereignty, we have no other choice but to occupy Brussels," he proclaimed, underscoring the necessity of the planned march to Brussels to bring about change in the EU.

Contentious Relations

Orban's antagonistic stance towards the EU is not new, with ongoing disagreements on various matters. His refusal to supply weapons to Kyiv and continued economic collaboration with Moscow, despite the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, has fueled tensions with other EU members. Orban further criticized the EU's actions, attributing them to detrimental effects on farmers, the middle class, and businesses, while also accusing Brussels of exacerbating conflict within Europe.