Hungary’s Orban says EU bigger threat than Russia before April elections
Al Jazeera
February 14, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban has warned that the European Union poses a greater threat to his country than Russia, as he prepares for what could be a heated parliamentary election on April 12. In his annual state-of-the-nation speech, Orban vowed to eliminate “foreign influence” and “pseudo-civil organizations” that he claims undermine Hungary’s sovereignty. He compared the EU to the oppressive Soviet regime of the 20th century, framing Brussels as an imminent danger. With eight weeks until the election, Orban’s ruling Fidesz party faces a significant challenge from the opposition Tisza Party, which holds an 8-12 percentage point lead.
Orban has been actively building what he calls an “illiberal state,” cracking down on immigration and targeting “pseudo-civil organizations,” judges, and journalists. His anti-immigration policies have served as a model for other right-wing leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump, who recently endorsed Orban ahead of the election. Trump’s support has bolstered Orban’s narrative, with Orban framing the EU as a puppet controlled by Brussels elites, particularly through his portrayal of Tisza Party leader Peter Magyar as a European Commission stooge.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to visit Hungary on Sunday, following Trump’s latest endorsement of Orban on Truth Social. Rubio’s visit comes after stops in Germany and Slovakia, where he will also meet with other leaders. Orban has positioned the election as a choice between “war or peace,” warning that Magyar’s Tisza Party would drag Hungary into the conflict in Ukraine if elected. This rhetoric aligns with his broader strategy of casting opposition figures as agents of foreign influence.
Orban’s aggressive stance against the EU and his promotion of an illiberal agenda have drawn criticism from democratic institutions, but he remains a influential figure in the rise of nationalist movements across Europe. His ability to consolidate power and challenge EU norms could set a precedent for other populist leaders seeking to redefine democratic governance. As Hungary approaches its critical election, the outcome will not only shape Orban’s political future but also test the resilience of liberal democracy in Central Europe.
This situation matters globally as it highlights the growing tension between illiberal nationalism and Western democratic values. Orban’s strategy to frame the EU as an existential threat mirrors broader populist narratives elsewhere, challenging the cohesion of European institutions and the transatlantic alliance. His success could emb
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Originally published on Al Jazeera on 2/14/2026