Over the past years European nations once again revolted against “the hypocritical alliance of the Brussels bureaucrats, the liberal international media and the insatiable global capital,” Orbán said. First the British, then the Americans rebelled, to be followed by others this year, he added.

Orbán stressed the need for Brussels to take off the “masks of hypocrisy”, and opt for straight speech and an open discussion of the future. Orbán emphasised that the resettlement of illegal migrants must be prevented, the network financed from foreign funds made transparent, and the right to regulate taxes, wages and utility prices kept in national competence.

Orbán called March 15 an “indisputable proof” of the Hungarian nation’s past, present and future.

“We, living in the Carpathian Basin, at the buffer zone of cultures, empires and civilisations, can be proud of the greatest triumph of all, winning all wars for the survival of our homeland, our nation,” he said.

He said 1848 had become a “moral compass” for the nation, one that shows who is “loyal, patriotic, dedicated and brave” on the one hand, and exposes “pettiness, perfidy and efforts to kill dreams and destroy the nation” on the other.

The prime minister insisted that national unity should be retained and cemented day by day. “But what should we do with those who want unrest and division rather than peace and unity . whose only pleasure lies in spoiling the holiday of others,” he asked, referring to a group whistling during his speech.

“It would be easy to mock them but we should not do that,” he said adding that Hungarians should “stand their ground on the horizon of building the nation rather than in the skirmishes of petty parties.” “From the horizon of the Hungarian nation, one can choose the road that leads us to the wide gate of greatness or the one that leads to the swamp of hatred,” he said.

The opposition Együtt party earlier distributed whistles at Astoria and Kálvin Square, along the way to the National Museum. During the prime minister’s speech, opposition demonstrators blew their whistles in protest and shouted “Viktator” and “Orbán, get out!”.

Many from the crowd attending the state celebration shouted back “Traitors!”. There was also some pushing and shoving between people supporting the government and opposition protesters. An elderly lady tried to grab the mobile phone from the hand of a journalist recording the events.

Republished with permission of Hungary Matters, MTI’s daily newsletter.

MTI photo: Kovács Tamás