Ursula von der Leyen on Viktor Orbán

Ursula von der Leyen has publicly escalated her criticism of Viktor Orbán, notably delivering a sharp rebuke during a European Parliament debate where he presented Hungary's EU presidency priorities. She accused him of a historic failure to support Ukraine, economic mismanagement characterized by targeting foreign companies and arbitrary inspections, and making Hungary a "back door for foreign interference" due to agreements allowing Chinese police presence. She pointed to his pro-Russia stance, contrasting his record unfavorably with Hungarian freedom fighters of 1956, stating that for some, peace is synonymous with surrender.

Earlier in her term, the relationship involved more institutional engagement, including a visit in February 2020 and a congratulatory message following his 2022 re-election where she expressed willingness to work together on challenges. However, the Commission President has also condemned his rhetoric on race, stating that discriminating on the basis of race is to trample on non-negotiable EU values, following a controversial speech by the Hungarian leader. While previously facing criticism for not being tough enough, her more recent, pointed confrontation in Strasbourg signaled a hardening of her public position against his divisive national policies and international alignment.