Hungary between the sheets of Russia and Europe

On April 3 the conservative nationalist leader, Prime Minister Viktor Orban, has a tight race for election to a fourth consecutive term.

It is very well known how this racist man has been close friends with Putin and would not love to see his good relationship with him being damaged.

Also, in order not to offend the Neo-Nazis, he is sitting with a heavy lump in his throat trying to solve the Ukrainian refugee problem.

Orban’s path to re-election is complicated by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which has put his decade-long close relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin in a new light, drawing sharp criticism from the opposition.

Supporters of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban attend a rally during Hungary’s National Day celebrations, which also commemorate the 1848 Hungarian Revolution against the Habsburg monarchy, in Budapest, Hungary, March 15, 2022. Reuters/Marton Monus

Addressing a rally of tens of thousands of supporters last Tuesday, who waved the Hungarian national flag in front of parliament, Orban said Central Europe was only a “chess board” for big powers and if Hungary did not stand up for its interests, it could easily fall victim of the crisis.

Orban made it clear where for him the problem with the European Union lies and what lies heavy on his mind, namely that the European Union leaders are not prepared to think for and with the Hungarians.

“Russia looks at Russian interests, while Ukraine looks at Ukrainian interests. Neither the United States, nor Brussels would think with Hungarians’ mind and feel with Hungarians’ hearts. We must stand up for our own interests,”

Orban said.

For him, it is clear what position Hungary should take.

“We must stay out of this war … therefore we will not send any troops or weapons to the battlegrounds.”

Speaking to an opposition rally by the Danube river, Marki-Zay, who has campaigned on a strongly pro-European platform, said Hungarians’ choice has never been this easy in elections.

“We only have one choice: we must choose Europe instead of the east … and freedom instead of authoritarianism,” he said, with supporters chanting “Europa, Europa.”

Referring to European Union concerns about a decline in democratic standards in Hungary, Marki-Zay has said Orban’s

“unlimited power has resulted in unlimited corruption”

while millions of Hungarians struggle to make ends meet.