Brussels is waging a “jihad” on elected governments it does not like, Hungary’s firebrand prime minister has said.
Viktor Orban, who has been the country’s leader since 2010, has repeatedly been at loggerheads with the European Union over his anti-immigrant and authoritarian policies.
“For them, the rule of law is a tool with which they can mould us in their image,” Mr Orban said during his annual “State of the Nation” address.
“Therefore they are not interested in the facts, nor in our arguments. They are now fighting a holy war: a rule-of-law jihad.”
“And, my friends, words rarely help against jihad. Here we must show strength; so let the Reconquista begin,” he added, referring to the centuries-long retaking of Spain by the Catholic kings after the Islamic invasion at the turn of the 8th century.
The speech marked the beginning of Mr Orban’s campaign for re-election ahead of the country’s parliamentary elections on April 3.
Both Hungary and Poland, led by conservative and nationalist governments, have clashed with the EU over their refusal to accept migrant quotas and follow the bloc’s views on LGBT rights.
“We think differently about the future of nations and nation states; we think differently about globalisation; and now we think differently about the family,” Mr Orban said, proposing a referendum to ensure children have a father and a mother.
Budapest and Warsaw face a decision on Wednesday by the European Court of Justice over their complaints against a new mechanism that would link EU funding to respect for the bloc’s rules and values.
Mr Orban told his supporters in Budapest that Brussels should show “tolerance” towards Hungary.
He added: “For them, the rule of law is a means by which they want to knead us into something that resembles them.”
Mr Orban’s speech prompted reports that the Hungarian prime minister could seek to take his country out of the EU, but they were swiftly rebutted by his international spokesman.
The Hungarian leader also warned of a possible flood of refugees from Ukraine if Russia launches a military invasion. However, he spoke out against the EU’s plans to hit Moscow with punitive sanctions.
“Sanctions, punitive policies, lecturing, or any other kind of arrogance on the part of the great powers are out of the question,” said Mr Orban, who has close ties with the Kremlin.
