PM Orbán’s fiery international press conference about Huxit, elections, war: Hungary won’t admit a single migrant!

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán held an international press conference today, after last year’s event was postponed. Journalists were allowed to ask only one question each, and the session was limited to two hours. Orbán addressed a wide range of issues, including the war in Ukraine, the migration situation in Europe, the EU migration quotas rejected by Hungary, and the country’s energy security. We registered to attend the press conference but, unfortunately, our admittance was denied. We keep this article updated.

PM Orbán about migration, war, energy, Russia

Despite the event being squeezed into a mere two hours, a hefty chunk of it saw Viktor Orbán laying out his bold vision for 2026. Here are some highlights:

• A new era has dawned globally – the old liberal rulebook is torn up, and it’s now the age of nations;
• The Russian-Ukrainian war must end by 2027 and he hopes that Trump and Putin will meet in Budapest. However, a separate Putin visit is not on the agenda;
• Whatever the European Commission says, we need Russian oil and gas;
• Not a single migrant will we take in, even though we’re supposed to accept 350;
• European countries are sliding into economic downturns, so no (war) loans for Ukraine;
• He reaffirmed all the welfare changes kicking in from 1 January, from hiking family tax breaks to rolling out the first 25% tranche of the 14th-month pension.
• On the elections, he declared the government’s track record a resounding success, giving them a clear head start.

What about the US financial shield for Hungary?

There’s no financial shield in place yet—just a request for one—and they’re collaborating with Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó and the Americans to craft a deal that works for both sides. The Prime Minister had previously boasted of shaking hands with Trump on this very shield, insisting Hungary has been vulnerable since 1920, with speculative attacks—like those targeting the forint—impossible to rule out.

Responding to The Telegraph, Orbán dismissed comparisons between Venezuela and Ukraine, calling Greenland a NATO matter that demands discussion.

Is Huxit possible?

He flatly denied any plans to quit the EU, envisioning Hungary’s future within its fold and NATO’s security umbrella, while forging the strongest possible ties with every bloc—because getting boxed into just one spells certain loss. On the question of the Brisith Spectator, he praised the bravery of the UK for leaving the EU, but added that, for Hungary, such a move would not be reasonable.

Of Péter Magyar, he simply remarked that the leader of the Tisza Party is a puppet of Brussels. On the 2026 election outcome, he signalled his intent to replicate the 2022 triumph (he won supermajority then).

Check out the live stream below:

Transition to a presidential system?

Asked whether he plans to transform Hungary into a state where the president holds the greatest power, Orbán replied that he wishes to preserve the current system. In Hungary, the prime minister is the most powerful political actor, appointing the members of the government. The president’s role is largely ceremonial, and Orbán insisted this would remain the case even after the 2026 elections.

The BBC also pressed Orbán to name three positive qualities of his challenger, Péter Magyar. He managed to come up with only one: that Magyar had left Orbán’s Fidesz.

Addressing the serious abuses uncovered at the Szőlő Street juvenile detention centre, Orbán stopped short of offering an apology. Instead, he argued that the system had been operated incorrectly. As a remedy, he announced that this institution, along with all other juvenile detention centres in Hungary, has been placed under the supervision of the national police.

Orbán hails strong China ties

China Media Group quizzed Viktor Orbán on Hungary-China relations and the broader EU-China dynamic. He reaffirmed Hungary’s longstanding commitment to the one-China principle—a cornerstone of our foreign policy. Orbán hailed the robust ties with Beijing as a major achievement, even as Hungary’s pro-China stance remains a minority view in the EU, where many still eye China as a rival. He spotlighted ambitious export drives, especially for Hungarian food products, and anticipates hefty Chinese investments.

Orbán tackles Hungary’s population crisis

Infórádió pressed the prime minister on Hungary’s shrinking population and plummeting fertility rates. Orbán insisted his government has pulled out all the stops to support families keen to have children and boost birth numbers. Yet he candidly acknowledged a stark biological reality: with fewer women of childbearing age, expecting them to have more babies goes far beyond what money alone can fix.

On the Benes decrees in Slovakia, Orbán pledged to delve deeper into the issue. Once he’s grasped the full picture, he plans to discuss it directly with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico.

The premier rarely faces independent or opposition journalists

Viktor Orbán seldom steps up to face journalists who can actually grill him. In practice, he fields questions freely just once a year, at his international press conference, 444.hu wrote. Yet Hungarian media reckon the rules have tightened up in recent years.

• PM Orbán stands alone once more in the EU with rejecting key statement

Back in 2023, questions flowed freely – even follow-ups were allowed. But by 2024, that was off the table. In 2025, the whole thing was scrapped, with promises it’d return this year or late 2025.

Clamping down on journalists with red tape

There used to be no time limit – you could grill the PM for hours. Even his critics admitted he handled the high-stakes stress like a champ. Plenty have noted over the years that no one in Hungarian public life can match him in a debate – those international pressers prove it. But in 2024, questions were capped, and follow-ups banned outright.

This year, international spokesman Zoltán Kovács laid it out upfront: 63 media outlets registered, the presser capped at two hours max, and one question per outlet only.

Daily News Hungary – despite registering – sadly got the boot. Registration slammed shut at 10:45 for the 11:00 start, with zero warning about the early cutoff. Other outlets, including some foreign ones, missed out too.

Read also:

• Former Hungarian PM: The Orbán government is planning for a long-term exit from the EU

Click for more articles of our concerning PM Orbán.