PM Orbán vows to preserve Hungary’s Christian culture

PM Orbán vows to preserve Hungary’s Christian culture

During a news conference, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán spoke of his support of security, Christianity, and nationalism in Hungary

Viktor Orbán is about to begin a new term as Prime Minister of Hungary. (Reuters pic)
BUDAPEST:
Viktor Orbán said on Monday the main task of his new government will be to preserve Hungary’s security and Christian culture, sticking to his nationalist policy to keep out migrants and fend off what he calls foreign meddling.

The right-wing prime minister, 54, was re-elected for a third straight term in an election last month after a strong anti-immigration message landed him a landslide victory.

One of the most vociferous opponents of immigration into Europe by mainly Muslims fleeing war and poverty in the Middle East and Africa, Orbán’s campaign, helped by his party’s media dominance, resonated with large swathes of the electorate, particularly in rural areas.

His Fidesz party now holds 133 of 199 seats in the new parliament that will enable Fidesz to pass any laws, even those that require the support of two-thirds of the votes.

“The main task of the new government will be to preserve Hungary’s security and Christian culture,” Orbán told a news conference after he was asked by the president to form a new government.

Parliament will hold its first session on Tuesday where Orbán will be officially elected prime minister again.

In a radio interview on Friday, Orbán said his government was building a “Christian democracy”.

“We are working on building an old-school Christian democracy, rooted in European traditions … we believe in the importance of the nation, and in Hungary we do not want to yield ground to any supranational business or political empire,” Orbán said.

Orbán has accused non-governmental organisations funded by Budapest-born billionaire George Soros of political meddling and actively supporting migration.

He said any organisation involved in the migration issue would have to seek clearance from national security authorities.

One of the first new laws expected to be passed by parliament is a “Stop Soros” bill, which would impose a 25% tax on foreign donations to NGOs that back migration.

Soros has said the attacks against him were “lies and distortions” and were designed to create a false external enemy.

Stay current - Follow FMT on WhatsApp, Google news and Telegram

Subscribe to our newsletter and get news delivered to your mailbox.