Over the weekend, on Saturday, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán delivered his annual State of the Nation speech at Várkert Bazaar in Budapest. However, preparing for this year’s address was unlike in previous years: with Donald Trump’s inauguration on 20 January, developments in some of the world’s most significant geopolitical tensions and conflicts have accelerated at enormous speed, along with the disintegration of the liberal world order. In short, what Hungary and Orbán had advocated for years—and were stigmatized for—has now become reality.
It was within this international context that Orbán outlined a comprehensive vision for the country on Saturday, centred on strengthening national sovereignty, resisting foreign influence, fostering economic growth, and addressing key social issues. Highlighting Hungary’s political resilience, Orbán declared that 2025 would mark not just survival but victory, describing it as a ‘breakthrough year’.
‘Easter Cleaning’
The speech was highly reflective of recent international events, particularly highlighting Trump’s and Elon Musk’s crusade against the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), which allocates a significant portion of US foreign assistance. The US billionaire, who co-chairs the recently established Department for Government Efficiency (DOGE), together with his team of young IT genius, conducted a sweeping investigation into USAID, examining the details of funding channelled to NGOs and media outlets promoting a globalist, progressive agenda over the past few years. As a result, skeleton after skeleton fell out of the closet.
Hungary was particularly affected by the network’s meddling, especially during the 2022 parliamentary election, when millions of dollars were channelled to the Hungarian opposition and its media through the Washington-based NGO Action for Democracy—whose leadership is connected to the ‘regime change machine’ with countless strands.
Orbán, therefore, placed particular emphasis on Hungary’s measures to counter foreign interference, focusing on the ‘Soros Empire’ and the influence of foreign organizations such as USAID. Describing the network as a ‘heavy-duty financial and power machine’ that uses NGOs and media outlets to undermine national sovereignty, he stated: ‘Let us shut off the Soros network’s financial sluice gates, let the state bodies do their duty in protecting sovereignty.’ By Easter 2025 legislation modeled on the US Magnitsky Act will be introduced to block foreign funding for political activities.
Additionally, a special envoy will be sent to the United States to collect evidence of foreign interference, ensuring that Hungary no longer stands idly by as external forces attempt to sway domestic politics. Orbán emphasized that these measures are essential to preserving Hungary’s cultural and political identity, reinforcing that decisions affecting the nation must be made solely by Hungarians.
‘By Easter 2025 legislation modeled on the US Magnitsky Act will be introduced to block foreign funding for political activities’
Referring to the influence of USAID, Orbán compared foreign interference to a ‘two-headed snake’, stating:
‘The Empire has two heads and a central depot. One head is in Washington, one in Brussels, and the Soros depot is here in Budapest. We know this because the Americans have thrown the skeletons out of the closet. They have uncovered and exposed the utterly corrupt, repressive power machine that has been pumping billions from the US budget into bogus civil society organizations, bought journalists, judges and prosecutors, politicians, foundations, bureaucrats, to a vast machine that has been running a liberal dictatorship of opinion and political repression throughout the Western world – including Hungary.’
The quote was even shared by Elon Musk on X, garnering millions of views, with the vast majority of users agreeing with the Hungarian prime minister.
Ukraine in EU? Not So Fast!
On the issue of Ukraine, Orbán reiterated Hungary’s call for immediate peace negotiations, emphasizing that prolonged conflict benefits neither Ukraine nor Europe. He asserted that the war is less about Ukraine’s sovereignty and more about NATO’s expansion toward Russia, stating: ‘The war is not really about Ukraine: it is about bringing the territory of Ukraine — which was previously a buffer zone, a buffer state between NATO and Russia — under NATO control.’
He noted that Trump’s approach to diplomacy aligns with Hungary’s advocacy for peace negotiations, stating: ‘President Trump is not our savior, but our ally. Moreover, he has not even finished his job, having just started it.’ Orbán emphasized that Trump’s resurgence could improve Hungary’s chances of achieving its foreign policy goals, though the country must ultimately secure its success independently.
Predicting that Ukraine will remain a buffer state, Orbán firmly opposed Ukraine’s EU membership, warning that it would harm Hungarian farmers and businesses. ‘Ukraine will never become a member of the European Union in the face of opposition from Hungary and the Hungarians,’ he declared. Orbán stressed that Hungary remains committed to defending its national interests while advocating for diplomatic solutions that can bring lasting peace to the region.
Europe’s Largest Tax Cut
Of course, the speech wasn’t just about foreign policy, much of it covered domestic issues and introduced initiatives in the economic and social areas, even with some groundbreaking ones. Orbán announced a manufacturing infrastructure and job creation programme under the name of ‘100 New Factories Programme’, which aims to create long-term employment opportunities and strengthen Hungary’s industrial base with a focus on maintaining economic independence amid global uncertainties.
To support families, Orbán announced Europe’s largest tax cut programme, which will double the family tax credit in two phases starting in July 2025. Parents will benefit from tax reductions of HUF 20,000 (around $50) for one child, HUF 80,000 (around $200) for two children, and HUF 200,000 (around $520) for three or more children. Mothers with two or more children will receive lifetime income tax exemptions, expanding an existing policy for mothers of four. ‘This is a world sensation, unprecedented anywhere,’ Orbán stated, highlighting the government’s commitment to encouraging childbearing and supporting young families. Full tax exemption also apply for infant care benefit and child care benefit, he added.
‘Mothers with two or more children will receive lifetime income tax exemptions’
‘President Reagan said this to his ministers: “I hate two things: communists and taxes. Do something about them.” To this we can safely add inflation,’ Orbán anecdoted, introducing the next topic of the speech: curbing rising prices. The Hungarian prime minister criticized multinational retailers for increasing prices beyond justifiable levels. ‘Milk was 39 per cent more expensive, eggs 35 per cent more expensive, and cooking oil 11 per cent more expensive. That is a lot! In fact, it is impermissible!’ he stated. National Economy Minister Márton Nagy has been instructed to negotiate with major supermarket chains to halt price increases, with the government prepared to impose price caps and limit corporate profit margins if necessary. Additionally, pensioners will receive VAT refunds on essential goods such as dairy, fruits, and vegetables to provide targeted financial relief.
Orbán also addressed migration, reaffirming Hungary’s zero-tolerance policy on illegal migration. The Hungarian prime minister also proposed that small towns be granted legal authority to control migration into their communities. He reiterated the government’s commitment to defending traditional values, announcing plans to amend the Constitution to define gender as strictly male or female. In a direct message to LGBTQ+ and gender lobby, Orbán remarked: ‘I advise the Pride organizers that they should not bother preparing for this year’s parade,’ calling it a waste of time and money.
The Year of Breakthrough
Orbán framed 2025 as a year of breakthrough, urging Hungarians to seize the opportunity presented by shifting global dynamics. ‘This time the aim is not to outwit, not to outsmart and not to survive, but to win,’ he stated, calling for unity and determination in the face of challenges posed by Brussels and other external forces. He cited Hungary’s recent political victories, including Fidesz–KDNP’s success in the European Parliament elections, as evidence that the nation’s commitment to sovereignty and traditional values resonates both domestically and internationally. ‘They told us we were the past, but it turns out—we are the future,’ Orbán highlighted, positioning Hungary as a global leader in the conservative movement and setting the stage for a decisive year ahead.
‘After last year’s sombre ballad, this year it’s stomping rock and roll. Buckle up, because the fight continues.’
Watch the full speech here:
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