Hungarian conservative leader Viktor Orban denounced the “mixing” of races in a controversial speech on Saturday that drew backlash.
Speaking in Romania, the Hungarian prime minister defended his view of an “unmixed Hungarian race” by criticizing “mixing” with non-Europeans, The Guardian reported.
“We [Hungarians] we are not a mixed race, nor do we want to become a mixed race,” Orban said.
Orban claimed that European countries that have a high level of interracial mixing are “no longer nations”.
The comments are consistent with Orban’s long-standing far-right stance on immigration to Hungary. He regularly campaigned on the promise to build an “illiberal” Hungary based on the “defense of a Christian Europe”.
Alin Mituta, a Romanian member of the European Parliament, responded to Orban’s comments in a tweet, writing that “talking about racial or ethnic ‘purity’, especially in a region as mixed as Central and Eastern Europe, is downright delusional. and dangerous. And Mr. Orban too.
Prime Minister Viktor Orban waves to supporters before delivering a speech at his Fidesz party’s final campaign rally ahead of the elections, in Szekesfehervar, Hungary, April 1, 2022 (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
Katalin Cseh, a member of the Hungarian Momentum Movement party and also an MEP, defended the Hungarians targeted by Orban’s remarks, The Guardian reported.
“Your skin color may be different, you may be from Europe or elsewhere, but you are one of us, and we are proud of you. Diversity strengthens the nation, it does not weaken it,” he said. she tweeted.
Cseh continued: “[Orban’s] statements recall a time that I think we would all like to forget. They really show the true colors of the regime.
In his speech, Orban also criticized the West’s approach to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Orban has sought close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin and last week said Europe had “shot itself in the lungs” by imposing sanctions on Moscow for the invasion.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, shakes hands with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban during a joint press conference after their talks at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia September 18, 2018. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko, Pool )
On Saturday, Orban described the West’s attempts to end the bloodshed in Eastern Europe as “sitting in a car with four flat tires”.
“A new strategy is needed which should focus on peace negotiations instead of trying to win the war,” he said.
With Hungary being a member of NATO, Orban found himself in a delicate diplomatic position, seeking to maintain Hungary’s good relations with Russia while NATO supplies Ukraine with advanced weapons.
“The more modern weapons NATO provides to the Ukrainians, the more the Russians will advance the front line… What we are doing is prolonging the war,” Orban said.
“We should not be on the side of Russia or Ukraine, but in between.”
Orban, popular with many supporters of former US President Donald Trump, is expected to deliver the keynote address at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Dallas, Texas next month.
