Former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán appeared in a pre-recorded television interview broadcast on Hír TV, where he launched sharp attacks against the government led by Péter Magyar and criticized the newly established National Asset Protection and Asset Recovery Office (NVVH). According to the broadcast, Orbán compared the agency to the communist-era political police, the ÁVH, while warning individuals who take jobs at the office that they will face legal consequences and public exposure when Fidesz returns to power.
Viktor Orbán Targets the NVVH and Warns State Employees
During the interview with Zsolt Bayer on Hír TV, Viktor Orbán focused heavily on the newly formed NVVH, an agency created by the current government to recover state funds lost through corruption and other channels. Orbán consistently referred to the agency as the ÁVH, drawing a parallel to the communist-era secret police. He explicitly warned anyone considering employment at the office that they would not escape accountability when Fidesz restores the rule of law. “We are going to track them, every single person who takes a job there, we will make public,” Orbán stated during the broadcast.
Additional coverage noted that the Fidesz leader accused the Magyar Péter government of building an authoritarian system and argued that open resistance is necessary against such governance. Analysis suggests that Orbán’s aggressive posture toward the agency may also be shadowed by potential investigations into his own family members, including his son-in-law, who became a multi-billionaire.
Foreign Policy, Neutrality, and Relations with Brussels
Shifting to international affairs, Orbán argued that Hungary has abandoned its previously neutral stance toward Russia, claiming that the country’s foreign policy is now dictated directly from Brussels in the German language. He asserted that instead of acting as a productive diplomatic participant, the Hungarian foreign service has taken instructions that undermine national independence. Furthermore, Orbán dismissed the possibility of adopting the euro, describing it as a deceptive cover story designed to package upcoming economic austerity measures for the public.
Orbán also addressed EU funding, stating that 80 percent of spent European Union funds return abroad through foreign procurement rather than staying in Hungary. He maintained that he would have fought harder to secure withheld EU funds by refusing to approve the bloc’s budget until the money was released. Reflecting on the election campaign, Orbán suggested that foreign intelligence services interfered in the political race, pointing to leaked telephone conversations between himself and the foreign minister as evidence of external meddling.
Did You Know? Viktor Orbán noted during the interview that he was originally elected prime minister in 1998 as a direct public reaction against the policies of Lajos Bokros, arguing that voters historically turn to Fidesz like a doctor or a priest when economic conditions deteriorate.
Economic Strains and Fidesz Strategy After the Election Defeat
Reflecting on the election defeat, Orbán acknowledged that a significant part of the economy voted against him because voters were willing to accept the risks offered by the political opposition. He noted that while his governments successfully delivered economic growth for fourteen years, the stagnation between 2024 and 2026 led voters to turn toward rival promises. Addressing internal party direction, Orbán advised Fidesz supporters not to waste energy trying to convince voters trapped in an “optimism bubble” on the opposing side, but instead to focus on internal party reorganization.
Orbán also rejected allegations of environmental contamination at Göd and other campaign criticisms, while demanding the release of former Óbuda mayor Balázs Bus, whom he characterized as a political prisoner held in the Csillag prison. He concluded that the current leadership relies on an authoritarian approach because they fear the public will ultimately discover the truth.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary function of the NVVH?
According to the source material, the National Asset Protection and Asset Recovery Office (NVVH) was created by the Tisza-led government to recover state funds lost through corruption and other channels.
How did Viktor Orbán characterize the new asset recovery office?
Orbán consistently referred to the office as the ÁVH, comparing it to the communist-era political police, and warned that anyone taking a job at the agency will face public exposure and legal accountability when Fidesz returns to power.
What did Orbán say regarding Hungary’s foreign policy and Russia?
Orbán stated that Hungary has abandoned its independent foreign policy and neutrality toward Russia, claiming that instructions now come directly from Brussels in German.
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