Speaking Monday on the Fighters’ Hour YouTube channel, PM Orbán argued Deputy Prime Minister Zsolt Semjén was right to push for a forceful response, calling the allegations a “blood libel” that could have paralyzed the government.
PM Orbán stated the cabinet moved to counterattack because the accusations targeted not one minister but the government’s legitimacy as a whole. He said he normally ignores smear campaigns, but accepted Minister Semjén’s view that the gravity of the charge—“the most serious criminal offense”—required direct confrontation. He added that severe legal consequences are to be expected for those spreading the claims.
The prime minister contended that the dissemination of the story followed an orchestrated pattern across media outlets and was amplified by opposition leaders, naming Péter Magyar and Klára Dobrev. He asserted that participants “knew they were committing crimes” by repeating the allegations and would face repercussions. Responding to a viewer comment, PM Orbán emphasized that authorities act immediately in any genuine case of child abuse and praised Hungary’s child-protection system, while acknowledging isolated “bad apples” are removed when identified.
Turning to domestic politics, PM Orbán criticized what he called the opposition’s blending of entertainment and politics, and singled out individual opposition figures for what he described as irresponsible behavior, including carrying a firearm at public events. He reiterated the government’s preference for low, broad-based taxes and cautioned against a proposed wealth tax, arguing it would require intrusive state oversight into citizens’ private assets.
On security and foreign policy, PM Orbán dismissed speculation about threats from Russian drones to Hungary, saying the country could neutralize any such incursion if it occurred. He repeated that Hungary’s oil and gas supplies from Russia are reliable and cheaper than alternatives, insisting that “no sensible person” would trade secure energy for uncertainty. He said he explained Hungary’s position directly to U.S. President Donald Trump, noting that both countries act as sovereign partners with their own interests.
Addressing the war in Ukraine, PM Orbán argued the conflict cannot be won on the battlefield without a massive Western troop deployment—which he said nobody wants—and characterized the broader Western approach as driven by an unwillingness to “miss out” on Ukraine’s future. He maintained that Hungary and Ukraine are not enemies, but urged realism about the strategic situation.
PM Orbán also commented on the Czech election campaign, praising former prime minister Andrej Babiš as a colorful and effective candidate whose videos even “glue” him to the screen. He concluded that while much has been achieved domestically over the past 15 years, “about seventy percent” of his vision for making Hungary great has been realized and more work remains.
