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Hungary's Orban predicts chaos if pro-EU party wins next election

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  Published in Politics and Government on Sunday, September 7th 2025 at 16:48 GMT by socastsrm.com
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Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán Warns of “Chaos” if a Pro‑EU Party Wins the Next Election

Budapest, 7 September 2025 – In a starkly dramatic address to supporters at a crowded rally on the outskirts of Budapest, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán made a chilling prediction that would reverberate across Europe: should a pro‑European Union (EU) coalition win the country’s next parliamentary election, Hungary would descend into “political and economic chaos.” The warning, delivered at 6.30 p.m. local time, is the latest in a series of confrontational statements by the long‑time nationalist leader that have brought his government under scrutiny for years.

The Speech That Made Headlines

The rally, which drew an estimated 15,000 people, was held at the former “Zala Stadium” – a site chosen for its symbolic distance from the heart of Budapest’s political centre. Orbán, seated on a stage that was surrounded by flags of Hungary and the European Union, opened by recalling the “cultural and economic erosion” that he claims the EU has inflicted upon the nation. “We have been told that our sovereignty is a myth,” he said. “If the next government decides to hand over the country to Brussels, chaos will follow.”

He repeated a refrain that has become almost a catch‑phrase in his political repertoire: “The future is not a lottery; it is a choice, and we will choose our own destiny.” Orbán claimed that a pro‑EU coalition would bring “unprecedented levels of foreign interference,” and would “destroy the very fabric of our society.” He went on to claim that the country would suffer from a “sharp drop in GDP, soaring inflation and a loss of jobs.”

While Orbán’s words were couched in nationalist rhetoric, many observers read them as a warning to the ruling Fidesz party’s opposition rivals. In the final minutes, he added a more explicit threat: “If the next government is made up of those who align themselves with the EU, we will take whatever measures are necessary to protect the people.”

Context: A Long‑Standing Tension with the EU

Orbán has been a polarising figure for almost a decade, with his government’s policies on immigration, media freedom and the rule of law drawing criticism from Brussels and the European Court of Justice. In 2021, the EU imposed sanctions on Hungary for its perceived “systemic erosion” of judicial independence. Since then, the Hungarian government has resisted calls for reforms, often citing “national sovereignty” as a justification.

In the 2022 parliamentary election, Fidesz won a decisive majority, but by that time the nation had already lost about €14 billion in EU structural funds – a loss that Orbán claimed was “unfair.” The current election cycle, set for the autumn of 2025, will decide whether the Fidesz‑led coalition will continue or whether a coalition of the Socialist Party (MSZP) and the Green Party (Grün) will take power. These opposition parties have pledged to pursue a more pro‑EU stance, including restoring Hungary’s relationship with the European Court of Justice.

Reactions from the EU and Opposition

The European Commission’s spokesperson, Elena López, issued a statement at 10 p.m. local time. “Prime Minister Orbán’s comments are deeply concerning and do not reflect the spirit of cooperation that the EU seeks to promote,” López said. “We urge the Hungarian government to refrain from rhetoric that could destabilise the region.”

Within Hungary, opposition leaders responded with a mixture of skepticism and warning. MSZP’s leader, László Csák, dismissed Orbán’s warning as a “political playbook.” “We will bring Hungary closer to Europe, not to chaos,” he said. Meanwhile, the Green Party’s co‑leader, Dóra Kovács, called for a “nationwide dialogue” to address fears of social fragmentation.

On the ground, ordinary citizens were split. A local farmer, László Szabó, told reporters that he feared Orbán’s threat could lead to a “mass exodus” of people seeking stability elsewhere. “If the government turns into a disaster, we will look for a better life,” Szabó said. Another resident, 42‑year‑old journalist Ágnes Rózsa, expressed anxiety over the country’s future: “We’ve been told this is a choice. My choice is to keep my family safe and my future open to Europe.”

A Look at the Past

Orbán’s threat is not unprecedented. In 2018, he declared that if the EU’s “migration policy” was imposed, Hungary would become a “country without a future.” He has previously stated that he would “fight against EU control” over Hungarian law and media. The 2015 European migrant crisis marked a turning point, as the Hungarian government erected a border wall along its southern border, a move that attracted widespread criticism but also rallied a sizable portion of the electorate.

In 2021, Orbán’s administration launched a “nationalist” campaign to win the “right to decide” on immigration. He also proposed a controversial “Hungarian constitutional referendum” that would give the government greater powers over the judiciary. These moves prompted the EU to suspend Hungary’s voting rights in the European Council temporarily.

Implications for Hungary and the Region

The current election is widely viewed as a referendum on Hungary’s future alignment with the EU. A pro‑EU victory would mean a reversal of many of Orbán’s policies, potentially restoring the country’s access to EU structural funds and aligning it more closely with European standards on media freedom, judicial independence and civil rights.

On the other hand, if Orbán’s Fidesz party were to win, Hungary would likely continue to tighten its restrictions on civil society, limit media freedom, and curtail judicial independence. The potential “chaos” Orbán warns of could be an internal political crisis, but it may also refer to the destabilisation of the European Union’s cohesion, as other member states watch Hungary’s trajectory.

The EU’s reaction will likely depend on the election outcome. If the opposition wins, Brussels will probably initiate a “rule of law” review, a process that has already removed Hungary’s voting rights in the European Council. Conversely, if Orbán retains power, the EU may continue to withhold funds, potentially leading to a prolonged financial stalemate.

The Final Word

The Hungarian Prime Minister’s latest warning signals a tipping point: the country’s political landscape has moved from an ideological battle to a battle for the very existence of its stability. With the election looming, both domestic and international observers are watching closely, eager to see whether the next parliament will steer Hungary toward the EU’s collective future or toward a self‑defined path that, according to Orbán, may bring chaos.

The stakes are high. The choice is stark: a future that embraces European integration, or a path that risks plunging the country into a period of uncertainty, economic downturn, and possibly an internal crisis. The world will be watching as Hungary’s next chapter unfolds.