Hours before he made this claim, a poll showed that the new opposition party Tisza had overtaken Orban’s ruling Fidesz party among decided voters for the first time since Orban came to power in 2010
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Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Wednesday (October 23) accused the European Union of attempting to overthrow his government and install a “puppet” administration, likening his resistance to the 1956 anti-Soviet uprising.
Orban, who is facing his toughest political challenge in 14 years as a new opposition party surges in the polls, addressed supporters on the anniversary of Hungary’s revolt against Soviet domination, which was crushed by the Red Army.
The nationalist leader, known for his clashes with EU leaders, said in a speech that his policies on the Ukraine war and migration were unacceptable to Brussels.
“We know they want to force us into the war (in Ukraine), that they want to impose their migrants upon us… and hand over our children to gender activists,” Orban said, speaking from a stage in Budapest’s Millenaris Park.
Orban’s government has consistently opposed the EU’s military aid to Ukraine and has maintained ties with Moscow, despite EU sanctions on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.
“They’ve got a puppet government in mind, the party they want to impose on us,” Orban said, referencing the new pro-EU, centre-right Tisza party, led by political newcomer Peter Magyar, which has gained momentum in the polls.
Orban did not provide evidence or explain how the European Commission was allegedly attempting to oust his government.
Earlier in the day, a new poll showed that Tisza had overtaken Orban’s ruling Fidesz party among decided voters for the first time since Orban came to power in 2010.
Later, at a rally of over 10,000 supporters, Magyar criticised Orban, saying the prime minister had “no authority to betray the heritage of 1956” and was serving Russian interests.
With inputs from Reuters