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At a rally in Pontida, Italy, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán delivered a powerful speech emphasizing national sovereignty, traditional values, and migration control.
Viktor Orbán was the guest of honor at the Lega party’s annual gathering, led by Matteo Salvini, and was joined by other prominent conservative politicians from across Europe. His speech highlighted the ideological unity between Italy and Hungary, both of which he described as freedom-fighting nations committed to defending their cultures and national identities from external pressures.
The Hungarian Prime Minister began by drawing a historical connection between Italians and Hungarians, recalling their shared struggles for freedom. He framed his remarks in the context of contemporary challenges, declaring, “we will never surrender our countries to foreigners,” and asserting that neither nation would bow to the will of bureaucrats in Brussels, global financial elites, or migrants.
For Mr. Orbán, the fight for national sovereignty is as relevant today as it was in past battles for independence.
He underscored the importance of protecting national identity, stating that both Italy and Hungary must remain in control of their own destinies. “We will not allow our culture to be changed,” he said, emphasizing the need to safeguard the integrity of their countries from the influence of external forces. In his view, the preservation of national identity is paramount, and surrendering to external pressure would be a betrayal of their ancestors’ legacy.
Central to Viktor Orbán’s speech was his government’s stance on migration, a policy that has earned both praise and criticism across Europe. He proudly reaffirmed Hungary’s strict migration controls, noting, “Hungary does not let illegal migrants in and protects its borders.” Mr. Orbán criticized the European Union for penalizing Hungary over its refusal to admit migrants, revealing that the country has been fined EUR 200M and continues to pay EUR 1M daily as a result. In a pointed remark, he warned,
…if they want migrants, they will get them,” suggesting that Hungary could consider relocating migrants to Brussels if the EU’s punitive measures persist.
The PM’s critique of the EU extended beyond migration policy. He accused Brussels of becoming “a belligerent instead of a peace” in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and argued that European bureaucrats are prioritizing their own interests over the well-being of European citizens. “If this continues, the European Union will fall on its head,” he warned, expressing deep concern about the direction in which the EU is heading. He contrasted the failures of the European left with the successes of patriotic governments like his own, claiming that Hungary has defeated left-wing opposition five times in the past 14 years.
We govern more successfully than the left, the patriots govern more successfully than the international left,” he proclaimed, positioning his government as a model of conservative governance.
Orbán also took a firm stance on family values, a key component of his political platform. He defended Hungary’s constitutional commitment to traditional family structures, stating, “There is no future without families.” He highlighted that the Hungarian constitution defines marriage as between a man and a woman, a provision that he vowed would not change despite pressure from progressive forces. “We will not let them make a joke out of marriage, we will not let them make a clown out of people who love their families,” the Prime Minister asserted, signaling his opposition to liberal social reforms that he believes threaten Hungary’s moral fabric.
Throughout his speech, Mr. Orbán expressed admiration for Matteo Salvini, praising him as a “European patriot” for his efforts to secure Italy’s borders during his tenure as interior minister.
“He deserved a medal for this, not a criminal prosecution,” he said, referring to the legal challenges Salvini has faced for his anti-immigration policies. He emphasized the need for European conservative parties to unite in the face of growing opposition from progressive forces. “At the end of the struggle, we will turn Paris around, we will take back Warsaw, and we will be the biggest political force in Europe,” Orbán declared, urging European patriots to continue building a unified conservative movement.
We should not withdraw from #Brussels, but occupy it. We will take back Brussels from the bureaucrats and return it to the European people!
1️⃣ We took the first step – a right-wing government was formed in Italy.
2️⃣ We took the second step – @geertwilderspvv won in the… pic.twitter.com/fE1EPwPxTW— Orbán Viktor (@PM_ViktorOrban) October 6, 2024
Salvini, reflecting on Prime Minister Orbán’s speech, expressed gratitude for the Hungarian leader’s support. He praised Mr. Orbán’s stance on national sovereignty and migration control, noting that their collaboration exemplifies the strength of the international patriotic movement. Salvini reiterated the importance of defending national borders and warned that if the legal actions against him succeed, it could open the floodgates to uncontrolled immigration across Europe. “This is not a game,” Salvini said, referring to the stakes of his ongoing legal battle.
He echoed Orbán’s call for unity among Europe’s right-wing parties, stressing that collaboration is essential for reshaping the continent’s political landscape.
The Hungarian Prime Minister’s appearance in Pontida underscored the growing alignment between Hungary and Italy, as well as the broader European political right. Both leaders framed their opposition to migration, defense of traditional values, and criticism of the EU as part of a shared mission to reclaim national sovereignty and protect European identity.
Via MTI; Featured Image: MTI / Miniszterelnöki Sajtóiroda / Fischer Zoltán