
Orbán: US President has eaten EC leader for breakfast
PM Orbán told an online broadcast dubbed Fight Hour that he had expected this outcome in advance, considering that the US President was 'heavyweight' as against the EC President being 'lightweight'. The US President's position was much more confident, while the EC President's position was always more fragile, he added.
The US has recently struck a similar deal with the UK, which was 'much better than this', PM Orbán said. He added that since the European deal was 'much worse' than the UK deal, it would be difficult to present it in the future as a success.
PM Orbán said the problem was that, in line with the agreement, Europeans would invest several hundred million euros in the US. 'But who will?', PM Orbán asked, adding that the EC had no capital to invest. 'In whose name did she agree? Will the German Chancellor take the money there, the French President, or the Hungarian PM will send the capital?', he asked.
He said that 'we are supposedly going to buy weapons, to a value of several hundred billion euros'. 'But who will? The Commission has no army,' PM Orbán added.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Budapest Times
3 days ago
- Budapest Times
Government Info: Home Start ushers in new era for young homeowners, as government moves to shield jobs and industry
Minister Gergely Gulyás called Hungary's new Otthon Start program the most significant homeownership initiative since the regime change, highlighting its economic and social impact at Tuesday's government press briefing. Joined by State Secretary Miklós Panyi and Spokesperson Eszter Vitályos, Gulyás said the scheme reflects a long-term commitment to supporting young people through stable housing, while responding to external economic threats with a parallel job and industry protection plan. The program, launching 1 September, offers first-time buyers up to HUF 50 million in loans at a fixed 3 percent interest rate over 25 years, with just 10 percent self-financing required. Eligible properties must fall under a HUF 100 million cap for flats or HUF 150 million for houses, and meet a price ceiling of HUF 1.5 million per square metre. 'Even with average wages and little savings, young people can now take the first step toward owning a home,' Gulyás said. 'We are not considering a rental scheme—this is about long-term stability through ownership.' More than 100,000 properties currently meet the program's criteria, with additional listings expected as previously withheld homes re-enter the market. Developers will be incentivized: housing projects with at least 250 units—70 percent of which comply with price limits—may qualify as strategic investments. The goal is to initiate 20,000–25,000 new housing projects that otherwise would not launch. According to Gulyás and Panyi, the program could lead to the construction of 50,000 new apartments and thousands of family homes over five years, generating up to HUF 5,000 billion in investment and creating jobs across the construction sector. A dedicated Program Office, digital tools, and close coordination with banks will support rollout. In parallel, Gulyás said the government is preparing a job and industry protection action plan following consultations with major companies affected by the EU-US trade deal. He criticized the agreement as harmful and unrealistic, citing concerns from Hungarian and regional stakeholders. Turning to foreign policy, Gulyás warned of growing instability in the Balkans, calling the conviction of Bosnian Serb President Milorad Dodik a destabilizing act. 'The Balkans won't find stability through Western intervention—but through its absence,' he said.


Budapest Times
4 days ago
- Budapest Times
Orbán: We must behave – not just in general, but also in our own communities
The conversation touched on topics from political attacks and media sensationalism to the expectations of Hungarian citizens and the responsibilities of those in positions of power. Reflecting on a controversial moment from 2013, the prime minister recalled how he approached the incident with composure despite being physically targeted. Rather than seeking retaliation, he evaluated whether the provocation was genuine or simply part of the show business surrounding politics. His response underscored a consistent principle: maintain calm, even under pressure. Throughout the discussion, Prime Minister Orbán emphasized the importance of authenticity and connection with the public. He rejected the idea of blind political allegiance and instead encouraged his supporters to continuously reassess their views. 'I was not brought back [in 2010] because they loved me, but because the country was in crisis and problems had to be solved,' he remarked, underscoring a pragmatic view of leadership rooted in responsibility rather than popularity. On social dynamics, the prime minister spoke critically of ostentation, calling it 'horrible, harmful, and wrong.' He argued that while economic inequality is a natural feature of market economies, it becomes unacceptable when wealth is flaunted in a way that alienates ordinary citizens. According to him, Hungarian people can accept differences in financial status—as long as the wealthy respect the law, pay their taxes, and create jobs. But public display of affluence is fundamentally at odds with Hungarian cultural values. 'Don't shove it in people's faces that you have, when they don't,' he said, noting that this kind of behavior provokes rightful anger. He also addressed accusations regarding his own lifestyle, particularly the claim that he lives like a 'castle owner.' He denied this outright and warned that such narratives are often crafted to turn people against him. He acknowledged that not everyone on the political right-wing fully understands the need for modesty and restraint, but stressed that those in leadership must align with the cultural instincts of the nation. Prime Minister Orbán described Hungarian society as freedom-loving yet order-seeking—distinctly different from more individualistic Western cultures. In Hungary, a leader is expected to be both exceptional and relatable: 'They want you to be the best and still be one of them.' This, he said, must be accepted as the standard of leadership in Hungary. As the conversation concluded, the prime minister addressed political intimidation, dismissing threats against figures like Dopeman as unrepresentative of true Hungarian behavior. He warned, however, that the real danger comes not from robust debate, but from those who would turn politics into coercion. 'If someone says you have to run after 2026, that person represents dictatorship,' he said. Throughout the exchange, Prime Minister Orbán reinforced his core message: effective leadership in Hungary requires self-awareness, respect for cultural norms, and a commitment to serve—not dominate—the people.


Budapest Times
4 days ago
- Budapest Times
Center for Fundamental Rights: Brussels weaponizes rule of law while ignoring real abuses
The Center for Fundamental Rights has criticized the European Commission's latest rule of law report, calling it a clear example of legal hypocrisy. In a summary of its analysis titled The EU's Legal Hypocrisy in Weaponizing the Rule of Law, the Hungarian-Polish Freedom Institute accused Brussels of ignoring serious violations in Poland and Ukraine while targeting Hungary for political reasons. According to the statement issued Monday, the Commission 'turns a blind eye' to how the Tusk government in Poland uses methods reminiscent of 'the darkest communist times' to restore the rule of law. The center also claimed the EU overlooks abuses in Ukraine, where authorities reportedly commit crimes against their population and disregard both international human rights obligations and their own constitution. The analysis cited reports of violent forced conscription affecting the Hungarian minority in Transcarpathia, including an alleged incident where a Hungarian citizen died from injuries inflicted by authorities—an event the centre says has been downplayed as falling 'within the framework of the rule of law.' Despite these concerns, the EU is rapidly advancing Ukraine's accession, the center noted. It further stated that Ukraine's intelligence services have interfered in Hungarian domestic politics by supporting the TISZA Party's campaign efforts to promote EU membership for Ukraine. Meanwhile, the statement said, Hungary faces relentless pressure from Brussels for rejecting migration, gender ideology, war, and what the centre described as 'economic and social suicide' linked to Ukraine's EU accession. The Center for Fundamental Rights concluded that the rule of law, as interpreted by the Commission, has been stripped of its original constitutional and human rights essence, becoming a political weapon used against governments that diverge from a 'left-liberal or globalist agenda.'