PM Orban: Conservative Speech Entails Instant Stigma

Hungary's prime minister addressed the anniversary celebrations of the prestigious Swiss conservative weekly, Weltwoche, which turns 90 this year.

Orbán Viktor Svájcban Fotó: Miniszterelnöki Sajtóiroda/Benko Vivien Cher

PM Orban delivered a speech at the anniversary celebrations of Weltwoche, the prestigious Swiss conservative weekly newspaper, which is 90 years old this year. The event will also include a panel discussion moderated by Roger Koppel, who is the editor-in-chief of Weltwoche and also a member of the Swiss People's Party in the European Parliament.

Politics would be poorer without Weltwoche

First of all: happy birthday! I don't know who was more surprised that this meeting could happen, Weltwoche or me,

– Mr Orban said, opening his speech. Hungary's prime minister said it was a great honour for him, the leader of a Central European country boasting 10 million people, to address the biggest conservative newspaper in the German-speaking world on its birthday. I am one of those who believe that European politics would be poorer without Weltwoche," Mr Orban said.

It is reassuring that German-language newspapers still represent conservative values,

– Mr Orban added, stressing that there is indeed a Hungarian-Swiss friendship. Neither nation is too sentimental, 1956 is something that does not need to be explained here. 1956 was a great suffering in Hungary, so we thank the Swiss for taking in the refugees, and the Hungarians for the respect and esteem they have earned, for which the Hungarians still have a good reputation, he said. 

On a more topical note, which is also important, there are more than 900 companies operating in Hungary. So more than 30,000 Hungarian families in the country are fed by Swiss companies,m and trade is constantly growing.

Conservative Speech Brings Instant Stigma 

In other European countries, there is progressive liberal hegemony, whereas the conservative speech and agenda carries with it an immediate stigma.

Weltwoche is not like the mainstream media, and I am not like a mainstream politician either, Me Orban said. I hope that the interest is mutual: just as I'm interested in what you think, hundreds of kilometers west of my home country, perhaps the readers of Weltwoche are also interested in what we think about Central Europe, a few hundred kilometers to the east,

– Mr Orban said. 

Europe lacks capacity for self-determination

PM Orban also mentioned that he is the longest serving prime minister in Europe, so it's no wonder that he has developed a particular vision. He stressed that

the Swiss and the Hungarians have one common issue, and that's the European Union.

He said Europe's problems is a rather serious topic, so it's likely to stir up everyone, even on top of this morning's coffee. He said

Europe has lost its capacity for self-determination.

Europe is not able to identify its own goals, nor the means to achieve them, PM Orban said. What we see in Europe today is painful," he said. He recalled that before the World War II, Europe could have decided its own destiny and had every opportunity to do so. However, because it did not take advantage of its opportunities, the countries of the continent began to fight each other, weakening themselves. In the meantime, the powers outside Europe grew stronger.

Europe chains itself to the USA

It's no secret that, back in the day, economic and domestic policies in Europe were not set in stone. This is why it was necessary to give it a unique quality, both in terms of capitalism and democracy, for the new organization to succeed in Western Europe. This solution became known as Christian democracy," Mr Orban explained, noting that Christian democracy provided an answer to the question of how to smuggle in the so-called "competitive democracy".

Here, we stand for greater responsibility, greater solidarity and responsibility towards our neighbors. So, this deeply Christian tradition is in line with our economy, and Christian democracy has also faired well in this department. It worked. In a spiritual sense, Western Europe, which was Europe at that time, was able to remain an independent factor

– PM Orban said, recalling the days of American hegemony. In comparison, today, Europe is under liberal-progressive rule, he pointed out, noting that after 1990 progressive liberal forces took control of both Europe and America.

The big question is whether it is possible, under these circumstances, to restore Europe's own independent quality and yet retain its independence within the great Western alliance, now politely described as "strategic sovereignty." Instead of representing its own interests, Europe is chaining itself to the US. I would like to stress what consequences this could produce both now, and in the future.

Today, alongside the decline of the USA's stature, a diminution in Europe's stature is also underway, PM Orban opined.  Today, progressive liberal principles are being exported to the non-Western world.

For this reason, when a European politician talks about European values, it is usually in the interest of a large EU member state.

Politicians are few, bureaucrats are many

According to Viktor Orban, the European Union should be led by the Council of Europe, which brings together the heads of state and government of the member states. Instead, a growing number of decisions are being made by Brussels institutions, even though the bureaucrats are placed there to implement the politicians' decisions. 

Today in Europe, there is a shortage of politicians, while bureaucrats are everywhere, Mr Orban contended, adding that

in this regard, Hungary bears a special responsibility in such a situation. 

This is because there is no liberal hegemony in Hungary, as the government has broken it down in numerous occasions since 2010. There are no coalition squabbles either, because the cabinet has a clear mandate, and there is no migration. Hungary has time to think about the future of Europe.

– - We've tried to meet this responsibility by developing another model. What I have talked about so far can be called the "Brussels model of Europe." What we are doing is not easy, and we call it the "Hungarian model of Europe." Of course, we know our place, we are a country of 10 million people, Mr Orban said. 

The recipe for survival

During the panel discussion that followed, the moderator called Hungary's head of government a true survivor. Asked what the recipe for survival is, Mr Orbán said:

First, you should know that I am one of the old-fashioned political leaders. When we decided to become politicians, it meant that it was a mission. I spent 16 years in the opposition, but I thought that it was reasonable. It was reasonable because, whether you're in opposition, or a sitting MP or a city councillor, you can always serve your nation and the public.

Mr Orban also mentioned how sports have helped him greatly in developing his character.

Basically, I am a lucky man because I spent a little over 30 years in football testing rooms. And being a semi-pro footballer, you know, is the best school for a politician, because you have to fight to earn others' respect. You must be capable of doing teamwork and you must understand humility, because it's not about being good enough, it's about how you can be useful to the team. At the same time, you can never give up. You have 90 minutes. Fight, fight, fight. So my primary school education in sports has stayed with me ever since. Without this background, you have no chance to survive under pressure,

– explained Mr Orban, who believes that family is an equally important element of survival. As he put it:

Family is crucial. I've seen a lot of talented kids, a lot more talented than me, but knowing their personal backgrounds, many have fallen apart under pressure. So family is key. If you have a family, things are good. I always say, I have my wife and kids who are going to love me.

In response to another question, Mr Orbán also said that while the British were part of the European Union, Hungary, together with the UK, were able to curb attempts at centralisation in the EU.

For example, there were no rule of law issues in the EU while Britain was a member. But with Britain's departure, this balance has been upended.

If Switzerland was thinking of joining the EU, it should think twice, Mr Orban said.

He pointed out that Hungary will take over the rotating presidency of the EU in the coming years, which means that it will have a greater influence on the EU's processes.

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Zürcher Rede von Viktor Orbán 🇭🇺@PM_ViktorOrban

Diskussion mit Roger Köppel 🇨🇭

@KoeppelRoger https://t.co/8EbGHLJMl4 pic.twitter.com/6N9bBwNvGK

— Die Weltwoche (@Weltwoche) November 22, 2023

It's up to each country to decide whom they want to live with

The panel discussion also touched on the issue of migration. Hungary's prime minister recalled that the Germans wanted everyone to take responsibility for migrants, arguing that it was a common European issue.

I, on the other hand, stated that it was up to each individual country to decide whom they want to live with, and that the admission of migrants cannot be imposed on others. This made me a black sheep overnight,

– Mr Orban recalled, reminding the audience that Hungarians had created a strong and secure border defense by erecting a fence on the country's southern border, which not only protects the country, but also the Schengen Area and, not least, Germany. 

At this point, Hungary's prime minister stressed that the Hungarian government's position is clear: instead of bringing the problem here, it be prevented at source from becoming a problem in Europe.

We do not want to lecture others on how they should tackle the migration situation, we just want to ensure that nothing is forced on us. We may be wrong and this is the right solution, but we have the right to be wrong, don't we?

– Mr Orban asked, pointing out that the integration of migrants should not be confused with guest workers.

Full house at @PM_ViktorOrban’s address at the 90th anniversary of @Weltwoche in #Zurich🇨🇭. 👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/mCVuKWck0N

— Balázs Orbán (@BalazsOrban_HU) November 22, 2023

Russia-Ukraine war: plan 'A' has failed 

During the discussion moderator Roger Koppel also mockingly pointed out that Viktor Orban had done something extremely serious in the eyes of the Western world: he had met the Devil incarnate, President Putin himself, as well as Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Western leaders are very hypocritical when it comes to this issue,

– PM Orban hastily underline, pointing out that the Americans, for instance, purchased twice as much nuclear fuel from the Russians as last year, any they are also conducting business with the Russians in the LNG business, the same way. The idea of cutting Chinese companies off of the Western world isn't something Hungary's prime minister would be able to support, either. 

So I do not support the forming new blocks, nor of a "blocking" approach to the world economy,

– Mr Orban said.

Concerning the Russian-Ukrainian war, he argued that aggression was aggression and its runs counter to international law. However, the question is not this, but how we respond to it. The West has not responded adequately:

What was our strategy? That the Ukrainians will fight and winn on the front line, and the Russians will lose on the battlefield. What is the reality? The reality is that the Ukrainians are fighting and dying. Where are we now? Russia is not losing and nothing is changing in terms of politics. So, we have to face reality, and we need to switch to plan 'B.'

– Simply sending money to the Ukrainians is completely pointless and will lead nowhere," PM Orban said, adding that 

We see how Ukrainians are suffering, and our hearts are with them. They come to Hungary each and every day, and 150,000 Hungarians live in Transcarpathia. They are also being conscripted, even the very young guys.

– Mr Orban said. He also emphasized that there was only one way to stop the senseless killing now: we need a ceasefire followed by peace negotiations along a reasonable path. 

In response to another question on Donald Trump, Hungary's prime minister underlined that he was wholeheartedly in favor of the former US President.

Trump's foreign policy strategy is that America comes first, so Hungary can also say that Hungary comes first, just as Switzerland can say that Switzerland comes first. Every patriot can say that his own country comes first, 

– PM Orban explained, underlining that he hoped Donald Trump would secure victory. 

Viktor Orbán: I‘m pro Trump. Only dead fish go with the flow, and that‘s not Trump. What are Trump‘s plans in foreign policy? America First. We also say Hungary First. Everyone say that. It‘s a good starting point for foreign policy. @PM_ViktorOrban pic.twitter.com/i5LG4LuZjP

— Die Weltwoche (@Weltwoche) November 22, 2023

Finally, when asked about his Christmas plans, PM Orban responded with a touch of humor, saying that he would try to keep the family together, acknowledging it as a rather significant logistical challenge.

During his visit to Switzerland, Prime Minister Viktor Orban met former International Football Federation (FIFA) president Sepp Blatter in Zurich on Tuesday. Mr Orban and the sports chief had an informal chat about the state of their shared passion, football, and recent events.

In Bern, PM Orban met with Alain Berset, President of the Swiss Football Federation, and Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis. The talks focused on Hungarian-Swiss bilateral relations, economic cooperation and the Hungarian EU Presidency plans for next year.

Cover photo: In this photo released by the Prime Minister's Press Office, PM Viktor Orban (r) takes part in a podium discussion at the anniversary celebrations of the Swiss conservative weekly Weltwoche in Zurich, on November 22, 2023. (Photo: MTI/Prime Minister's Press Office/Benko Vivien Cher)