Categories: World

Viktor Orban elected PM of Hungary for 4th term, criticises Zelensky in victory speech

<p>
Hungary's nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban has won a fourth term by an overwhelming majority in the country's general election with most of the votes being counted.</p>
<p>
His right-wing Fidesz party had 53.1% of votes with 98% counted. The opposition alliance led by Peter Marki-Zay was far behind with 35%.</p>
<p>
In his victory speech, Mr Orban, 58, criticised Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky and Brussels bureaucrats calling them "opponents".</p>
<p>
Mr Zelensky has repeatedly criticised Mr Orban's ban on the transfer of arms to Ukraine, with which it shares a border.</p>
<p>
However, Mr Orban, who also has close ties with Moscow, has condemned the Russian invasion, and taken in half a million refugees since the war began in February.</p>
<p>
"We never had so many opponents," AFP cited him as saying. "Brussels bureaucrats… the international mainstream media, and the Ukrainian president."</p>
<p>
Mr Orban added that his "huge victory" could be seen "from the Moon, but certainly from Brussels as well".</p>
<p>
Hungary's leader has repeatedly clashed with Brussels over rule of law issues such as press freedom and migration.</p>
<p>
According to a BBC report, they've fallen out over Moscow too. Mr Orban is famed for his warm relations with Vladimir Putin. He signed up to Western sanctions – but refuses to supply Ukraine with weapons. He's the only EU leader to openly criticise President Zelensky.</p>
<p>
Ukraine borders Hungary, and around 400,000 refugees have fled here since Russia's forces invaded.</p>
<p>
But Orban said Hungary should keep out of the conflict itself – a war, he said, between two giant countries that is too dangerous.</p>
<p>
Orban's entourage accused Vlodymyr Zelensky of forming a "pact" with the Hungarian opposition to drag Hungarian soldiers into the war with Russia, BBC reported.</p>

IN Bureau

Recent Posts

India, China review situation along LAC, agree on early resumption of cross-border cooperation

The 33rd meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs…

7 hours ago

Anshuman Gaur appointed as India’s next ambassador to Hungary

Anshuman Gaur, presently serving as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), has…

9 hours ago

Bridging Cultures Through Fashion: University of Haifa students wrap up study trip to India

The Fashion Design Department of the University of Haifa recently concluded a nine-day study trip…

10 hours ago

J-K: Two Hurriyat-linked groups sever ties with separatism, Amit Shah hails move

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday hailed the decision of two Hurriyat-affiliated organizations to…

12 hours ago

Defence production hit Rs 1.27 lakh crore in FY 2023-24, exports cross Rs 21,000 crore

India's defence production has reached a record Rs 1.27 lakh crore in FY 2023-24, the…

13 hours ago

PoGB: Diamer-Bhasha Dam protest continues with growing religious influence

The ongoing Diamer-Bhasha Dam protest in Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan (PoGB) has entered its 38th consecutive day,…

14 hours ago