The disruption of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s news conference in Strasbourg by activist Márton Gyekiczki highlighted tensions over Hungary’s presidency of the European Union. Gyekiczki, a member of the Democratic Coalition party, accused Orbán of selling out the country to leaders like Putin and Xi Jinping. This incident comes amidst ongoing concerns about Hungary’s democratic rights and its relationships with autocracies.
Former Prime Minister Ference Gyurcsány expressed pride in Gyekiczki’s actions, calling the Hungarian government traitorous. Orbán is set to address the European Parliament during Hungary’s presidency, where he is expected to face criticism over rule-of-law violations and corruption. The EU parliament previously labeled Hungary under Orbán as a “hybrid regime of electoral autocracy,” leading to calls for the country to be deprived of EU funds.
Orbán has recently formed the Patriots for Europe group within the EU parliament, aligning with far-right parties to become the third-largest group. During the disrupted news conference, Orbán criticized the EU’s economy compared to the US and China, and condemned EU tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles. He also voiced concerns about immigration, suggesting that it was threatening the Schengen area’s visa-free system and proposing a regular Schengen Summit for member countries to discuss border policy.
In response to Gyekiczki’s disruption, Orbán explained that in Hungarian political culture, calling someone a scoundrel simply means disagreement. Despite the controversy and opposition facing Orbán within the EU, he remains a prominent figure, uniting far-right parties and advocating for policies that prioritize Hungary’s interests. The incident in Strasbourg underscores the deep divisions within the EU over democratic rights, governance, and relationships with autocratic regimes. Hungary’s presidency of the EU continues to be a contentious issue, with Orbán’s administration facing scrutiny and criticism from within and outside the bloc.
