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Budapest Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Budapest Times
Orbán: The patriot plan is the only alternative to the European nightmare
Speaking before hundreds of international guests, including current and former heads of state and government, party leaders, and prominent conservative voices, Prime Minister Orbán positioned the event as a defining moment for Europe's right-wing resurgence. 'This is not a gathering of the defeated, but of those who have endured,' declared Prime Minister Orbán, paying tribute to leaders who, like him, have weathered relentless political attacks. He criticized liberal and progressive European politicians for their fragility in the face of scrutiny, stating, 'They cry at the first sign of criticism and hide behind progressive journalists.' The prime minister presented a stark contrast between two competing visions for Europe's future. According to him, the liberal plan envisions a post-Christian, post-national continent consumed by war, migration, and centralized debt. 'Brussels has stolen the European dream,' he warned, describing today's EU as a place where citizens fear for their safety and economic viability, and where 'organized population replacement' has taken the place of integration. In opposition, Prime Minister Orbán's patriot plan outlines four key pillars: Peace: 'We do not want the eastern front,' he said, firmly rejecting Ukraine's EU membership and war-driven policies. Sovereignty: Hungary opposes shared EU debts and taxes, and the funding of foreign wars with national resources. Freedom: Political freedom and freedom of expression must be restored to the European public. Security: Europe must be reclaimed from mass migration, and citizens must retake their urban neighborhoods. Prime Minister Orbán emphasized the necessity of local victories to achieve these aims: 'Everyone must return home and win their own battles.' He pointed to the upcoming elections in Poland as the next opportunity for the patriot alliance to gain ground. In a broader context, he celebrated Donald Trump's return to the U.S. presidency, calling it 'the greatest comeback in the history of the Western world.' Trump's early actions, including targeting the deep state and dismantling progressive ideologies, were described by the Hungarian leader as a 'truth serum' that has rekindled hope for peace and stability. The prime minister's address also saluted international allies like Andrej Babiš, Robert Fico, Santiago Abascal, and Alice Weidel—leaders who, according to him, exemplify the courage to resist the liberal consensus. Special recognition went to Robert Fico, whom he described as a leader who 'was shot five times and still returned as if nothing had happened.' Highlighting the ideological divide, Prime Minister Orbán lambasted Brussels' leftist elite for silencing dissent and orchestrating violent efforts to disrupt conservative events. 'This cannot continue,' he said. He accused EU liberals of attempting to replace national identity with an artificial construct, adding, 'The left does not want debate—they want submission.' 'The liberal plan leads to a centralized, indebted, war-driven Europe,' Prime Minister Orbán concluded. 'But Hungarians are a free people—we were born to follow our own path.' The message was unequivocal: The time has come for patriots across the continent to reclaim Europe.
The Guardian
25-04-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Let Pope Francis's humanity be a lesson to the world
Pope Francis's influence as a champion of progressive causes and advocate for the marginalised will be deeply missed (The Guardian view on Pope Francis: an outsider who was a force for good in the world, 21 April). His commitment to addressing the climate crisis was unwavering, and his encyclical Laudato Si' was a powerful call to action that resonated with millions worldwide. Within the church, Francis introduced significant reforms, including blessings for same-sex couples and a greater role for women in running Catholic institutions. His vision for a more compassionate and inclusive church, which he likened to 'a field hospital', focused on those who suffer, marked a significant shift in tone and emphasis. As a global leader, Francis stood up for vulnerable and forgotten people, challenging inward-looking nationalism and advocating for a more merciful and less rigid approach. His leadership on issues like migration and global heating was a much-needed counterweight to the rise of populism, and his advocacy on behalf of people in poverty was a testament to his commitment to social justice. Francis's passing leaves a void in the world, but his impact on the Catholic church and beyond will be felt for generations to come. His legacy serves as a reminder of the power of compassion, empathy and kindness in shaping a more just and equitable Ahasan AbdullahLondon The international wave of admiration for Pope Francis speaks volumes for his commitment to people and the planet, and he left the world stage as a powerful player, committed to influencing global leaders. The impact of his legacy on individuals is as marked. As a Catholic, I seem to have spent much of my life rather reticent to say so, not the least given the historical scandals that have surrounded the church. Francis has changed that for me. The problems of the past may not have been dealt with as they should have been and, in a worldwide congregation, the nature of Catholicism means there will always be a strong divergence of opinions on faith. However, what Francis gave me and many others was the feeling that for once I was on the right side. His concerns were my concerns. An independent leader I could follow and be proud to say BellekomCollingham, Nottinghamshire It is not only the Roman Catholic church that will mourn the passing and give thanks for the legacy of Pope Francis. In the vacuum of leadership in other traditions, with the archbishop of Canterbury being unseated on the battleground that has become the Church of England, Pope Francis has united people of faith who have lost faith in religious institutions. The post-Christian age has given birth to a generation of spiritual refugees. It is ironic that someone at the heart of an ancient and often intransigent religious organisation has spoken in a way that has burst the tomb traditional churches have built for Christianity. The message of compassion, humanity and justice delivered by Pope Francis rises beyond the chaos and disengagement of modern life and faith. All people of faith can look in hope to his ideals being continued as his successor builds on the foundation he has laid. His passing has revealed the historical, social and institutional gulfs that his pontificate has spanned, a bridge builder in much more than name Peter MacLeod-MillerRector, St Matthew's Anglican church, Albury, New South Wales, Australia Pope Francis will be sorely missed by millions across the world. He was a moral voice who raised awareness about the repercussions of climate change, biodiversity loss, global inequalities, environmental decay and food insecurity. In his last Easter sermon, a day before he passed away, he remembered the wretched peoples of Gaza. He lamented a ruthless and cruel war that afflicted deep wounds on women and children, who bear a disproportionate burden. He prayed for peoples and leaders in the world to resolutely pursue a voyage of peace and tranquillity. Let us hope that his tenacity, steadfastness and stoicism will act as a guide for humanity at Munjed Farid Al Qutob Willesden Green, London Do you have a photograph you'd like to share with Guardian readers? If so, please click here to upload it. A selection will be published in our Readers' best photographs galleries and in the print edition on Saturdays.
Times
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Times
Secular blowhards just don't get the papacy
One of the many joys of being a Catholic in a post-Christian era is that, every ten or fifteen years or so, we get to listen as people who reject just about everything the church represents lecture us with great conviction on who should be its next leader. The death of a pope, at a time when Rome has almost no temporal power, and when in most of the anglophone world Catholicism is very much a minority interest, remains a curiously public participation sport, in which everyone gets to award marks to the man just gone and sizes up the runners and riders for the contest ahead. Commentators on the BBC who might once have attended a church wedding suddenly hold forth on the
Yahoo
08-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Noah Atubolu sets new record against Leipzig
The two sides came into the game with contrasting forms. While RB Leipzig's weak league showing put Marco Rose in danger of losing his job, Julian Schuster has been praised for maintaining SC Freiburg's ascend post-Christian Streich. And, at the half-time break, it was the hosts who came away with the only positive after a rather eventless first-half. Following in Augsburg's Finn Dahmen's footsteps (or gloves), Noah Atubolu became the first Freiburg keeper to go more than 510 minutes without conceding a Bundesliga goal. The young goalkeeper, who already made a name for himself with three successive penalty saves, broke the previous record set by Richard Golz in the 2001/02 season. However, both defensive lines made the lives of their respective goalkeepers easier as we were only treated with half chances for 45 minutes. Rose and Schuster made half-time changes with Amadou Haidara and Vincenzo Grifo entering the scene. Just like the first 45', the Breisgau enjoyed the majority of possession, but Leipzig created relatively better in the final third. However, as the game heads into the final 30 minutes, the first big chance of the night went in Freiburg's way. Lukas Höler's header was blocked by Péter Gulácsi following Grifo's trademark free-kick delivery. Leipzig immediately responded with their own set-piece play. Raum's cross found RB's captain Willi Orban, but he couldn't test Atubolu. Leipzig continued their late surge to secure three points in the final 20 minutes. Lutsharel Geertruida came very close to breaking the deadlock, but his ambitious effort flew narrowly over. Boosted by his recent goal-scoring exploits, Freiburg's Kiliann Sildillia also tried his luck from range. Ritsu Dōan had another decent game, but he could've done more to test Gulácsi ten minutes from time when the customary Christian Günter-Grifo partnership puts him in a good shooting position. There was one more chance in injury-time for Leipzig. Yussuf Poulsen and Castello Lukeba probed to steal a late winner, but Atubolu remained focused to keep his sixth clean sheet in a row. The draw means Freiburg kept their two-point lead over their visitors. Meanwhile, no team won a home game in the Bundesliga since February 23. Earlier in the day, the matchday saw Bayern, Dortmund and Leverkusen lose home games on the same matchday for the first time since 2007.
