Hungarian PM Orbán Urges Voters to Reject 'Imperial Interest War' in Upcoming EU Elections

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has intensified his rhetoric ahead of the European Parliament elections, claiming that a new imperial interest war is being forced upon the country. Orbán urges citizens to reject this in the upcoming elections, which are set to take place in five days.

During a recent 'peace march' in Budapest, Orbán addressed tens of thousands of supporters, framing the election as a critical choice between peace in Europe and an impending world war. He stated, 'We can only stay out of the war if Hungarian voters support the government.'

Orbán has focused his campaign on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, portraying his opponents, both domestically and internationally, as warmongers who seek to involve Hungary directly in the conflict. He has condemned his EU and NATO partners for assisting Ukraine, labeling them as 'pro-war' and advocating for a victory for former U.S. President Donald Trump in the upcoming U.S. elections.

Critics argue that Orbán's calls for an immediate cease-fire in Ukraine would allow Russia to retain the territories it has occupied and embolden it further. Hungary has refused to supply Ukraine with weapons and has threatened to derail EU financial aid to Kyiv and block sanctions against Moscow.

Why this matters: The outcome of the European Parliament elections will have significant implications for the European Union and its stance on the Ukraine-Russia conflict. A victory for Orbán's party could embolden Russia and shift the EU's approach to the conflict, potentially leading to a more fragmented and divided Europe.

Orbán's party, Fidesz, appears set to gain the most seats in the EU legislature in next week's election. However, a new political movement led by Péter Magyar has emerged, capitalizing on Orbán's perceived weaknesses and is set to take a significant portion of votes.

In his speeches, Orbán has emphasized the need for peace, stating, 'The only antidote to war is peace, and Hungary must be preserved as an island of peace. This is our mission.' He has also criticized NATO proposals that would allow Ukraine to use Western weapons to strike targets within Russia, claiming such plans would bring Europe 'inching closer to destruction.'

Orbán's stance has drawn criticism from various quarters, including social media platforms. Recently, Facebook deleted a recording of Orbán's speech at the Peace March, citing that the video shared symbols associated with individuals and organizations deemed dangerous. This move was criticized by Zoltán Lomnici Jr, spokesman for the Civil Union Forum (CÖF), who called it a 'blatant interference in internal affairs' and a form of censorship.

With the European Parliament elections approaching, the stakes are high. The elections, scheduled between June 6-9, will see over 350 million EU citizens eligible to vote. The outcome will be a test of whether voters are tiring of populism and seeking more liberal democracy, particularly in Hungary where Orbán's Fidesz party has dominated for over a decade.

The upcoming elections will determine Hungary's 21 representatives in the 720-seat European Parliament. With the youth and metropolitan voters potentially playing a vital role, the results could signal a significant shift in Hungary's political terrain.

In the final days leading up to the elections, Orbán continues to rally his supporters, emphasizing the importance of voting for peace and rejecting what he describes as an imperial interest war. The outcome will not only shape Hungary's future but also have broader implications for the European Union.

Key Takeaways

• Hungarian PM Viktor Orbán claims a new imperial interest war is being forced upon the country ahead of EU elections.
• Orbán urges citizens to reject war and vote for peace, framing the election as a critical choice for Europe.
• He portrays opponents as warmongers and advocates for a Ukraine ceasefire, which critics say would embolden Russia.
• The EU election outcome will have significant implications for the EU's stance on the Ukraine-Russia conflict.
• A victory for Orbán's party could shift the EU's approach, potentially leading to a more fragmented Europe.