The world is on the cusp of a new era, and nations must adapt to sweeping changes or risk falling behind, Balázs Orbán, political director to Hungary’s Prime Minister, warned in an interview with public M1 television’s morning programme. He highlighted the necessity for economic, political, foreign policy, cultural, and administrative preparedness to navigate these shifts effectively.
Orbán noted that discussions worldwide are dominated by themes of change, including the emergence of new technologies, economic power centres, and resource discoveries. He stressed that while nations globally are strategizing to adapt, Brussels remains an outlier, often focused on moral posturing and wielding threats rather than constructive dialogue. ‘The Hungarian presidency of the Council of the EU showed that things can be done differently,’ Orbán stated, calling for a new approach that builds on Hungary’s successful six-month term to inspire broader European reform.
Orbán criticized the European Union’s supranational structures, arguing that elites use crises to centralize power, claiming that only a multinational body can address transnational challenges. However, he contended that these structures have failed to deliver effective solutions, necessitating a return of initiative to member states to revitalize the EU and position it competitively on the global stage.
‘Orbán criticized the European Union’s supranational structures, arguing that elites use crises to centralize power’
When asked about the impact of Donald Trump’s return to the White House, Orbán remarked that while Europe’s fate rests in the hands of its own leaders, a supportive Washington could bolster conservative forces defending national sovereignty. He pointed out that Hungary is uniquely positioned with strong foundations built over the past 15 years, including economic stability, strategic foreign policy, and political resilience.
He called for a coalition of reform-minded European nations to drive systemic change, highlighting key players such as France, Germany, Italy, Austria, and the Netherlands. This alliance, he suggested, could act as a counterbalance to the entrenched elite in Brussels.
Emphasizing the end of ideological dominance, Orbán declared that the era of sovereignty is beginning. Only nations capable of independent decision-making, aligned with their communities’ and nations’ interests, can thrive in this new reality. ‘If a nation cannot define or defend its interests internationally, it risks being subsumed by imperial logic and relegated to the periphery,’ he said.
He affirmed that Hungary is well-positioned to navigate these challenges due to its stability, economic strength, and strategic vision. However, he cautioned that Europe as a whole has yet to determine its course, calling for bold reforms to ensure the continent remains competitive.
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