Speaking to a crowd of several thousand, the Fidesz leader insisted that the Tisza party wanted to build -- and was beginning to establish -- "a new authoritarian system".

He further insisted that democracy and the rule of law were being dismantled in Hungary to consolidate exclusive power. "This is a criminal act," Orban said, adding that although there was no accountability now, "it will have significance when we restore the rule of law, and then it will have serious significance."

He alleged that retroactive laws had been used to "exclude half of the opposition from politics" and that a tailor-made, retroactive constitutional amendment had "removed the president, the president of the Constitutional Court, and the chief prosecutor, thereby eliminating the rule of law."

The former prime minister declared that after the removal of Fidesz, the goal was to "eliminate Fidesz itself", to exclude its leaders from politics, and to make political alternatives impossible through illegitimate decisions.

He insisted that the 3.5 million people who voted for Tisza still believed that "arbitrary power" would only be used against Fidesz supporters, but they were wrong.

 "The essence of arbitrariness is that power no longer recognises its own limits, and one day Tisza voters will wake up to find no one to protect them from the abuse of power," he said.

Orban called the new powerholders "aggressive and violent", insisting they were abusing their strength. Instead of addressing the country's affairs, they persecuted the opposition; instead of seeking unity, they were "turning Hungary upside down" and disrupting social peace, he said.

He compared the political system being built in Hungary to events in Venezuela, which he described as "a unique blend of communist thinking, political arbitrariness, and economic oppression".

He said he did not believe that those who voted for change in the spring had "voted for the abuse of trust". Most had acted in good faith, expecting fewer government mistakes and better economic results.

"After defeat, one must always look at the world self-critically, but there is little time for that now, as freedom in Hungary is in danger", he said. "So instead of an opposition policy based on self-criticism, a policy of resistance is now needed."

Listing tasks ahead, Orban said "lies spread about Fidesz" must be persistently refuted, threats to the economy exposed, and achievements of the past 16 years defended. Further, the "victims of power abuses" must be protected and "a united front against authoritarianism" forged.
 

"Let us stand for freedom, build the broadest resistance, and create the broadest alliance for freedom! We must defend Hungary, for we cannot be the shame of Europe as a banana republic!" the former prime minister declared.

He added that although Fidesz is a political party, it must now focus not on power struggles but on serving "national resistance". The goal of this resistance, he added, was to "restore freedom, which is not a party issue, nor even a question of left or right".

"Our task is to stand by our 2.5 million voters," Orban said. However, he acknowledged that this is not enough for a majority.

The missing hundreds of thousands would be brought in by "political waves created by reality", and together they will form "a new, broad coalition for freedom" in order to secure "a majority for restoring freedom and democracy".

Orban noted that in April, 53 percent of Hungarians voted for Tisza and 47 percent against it, and this ratio, he declared, would reverse "sooner than people now think". 

The Tisza "authoritarian system" lacked economic foundations, he added, and Tisza voters would soon realise they "did not want this kind of horse".

"Fidesz must now draw the broadest possible arc where everyone who loves freedom can fit," he said. "It must operate as an incubator, not strengthen itself but help groups of freedom-loving people."

"Let us learn from our mistakes! Let us proudly stand by our achievements, strengthen national resistance, and help freedom-loving people! Let us stand by those who raise their voices, and guarantee the people that what the upcoming austerity measures take from them, a new, calm, and steady civilian government will return to them! Difficult times are coming, and we will fight!" Orban concluded.

Magyar: Dealing with 'hopeless, failed mafia boss is pointless'

"It is pointless to deal with a hopeless, failed mafia boss," Prime Minister Peter Magyar said on Facebook in response to opposition Fidesz leader Viktor Orban's speech in Baile Tusnad on Saturday.

"Thank you for the wisdom and trust, Hungary!" the prime minister wrote.

MTI Stock Photo

Source: MTI – Hungary’s national news agency since 1881.

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