On September 22, 2025, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban warned that the European Union (EU) risks decline unless it undertakes an urgent change of course. In his opening address to parliament’s autumn session, he emphasized Hungary’s positions on crucial issues, including Ukraine, migration, and energy security, reports 24brussels.
This marks the final autumn session of the Hungarian Parliament with the current party structures before general elections are scheduled for April 2026. Orban stated, “If the Union does not carry out an urgent and sharp turn, its story will come to an end,” likening the EU’s trajectory to that of the Roman Empire.
The Prime Minister criticized the EU’s current organizational structure, arguing that it fails to deliver economic success for member states. He pointed to ineffective policies on migration, climate change, sanctions, and the green transition, lamenting, “So many attempts, so few results.” Orban expressed doubt regarding the EU’s ability to renew itself.
Reflecting on international developments, Orban noted that the United States is reshaping the global trade order while emphasizing increasing cooperation between China, India, and Russia. He reiterated Hungary’s opposition to Ukraine’s membership bid, claiming that it could escalate the conflict within the EU. “Hungary has given no one a mandate to wage war on its behalf,” he insisted, advocating for diplomacy as the sole resolution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Addressing the EU’s migration pact, Orban declared that Hungary would not comply with its provisions and criticized the accompanying financial sanctions imposed on the country. He contrasted Hungary’s perceived stability, declaring it an “island of peace,” with the security challenges faced by Western nations due to migration, which he associated with violence and unrest.
On domestic fronts, Orban highlighted the launch of the “Home Start” housing program on September 1, aimed at expanding the middle class and constructing 50,000 homes over the next five years. He also referenced supplementary pension payments and measures taken to protect families from inflation.
Regarding trade and industry, the Prime Minister announced an action plan designed to support small and medium-sized enterprises and safeguard jobs, while noting recent advancements in higher education.