Orban Vows to Transform Hungary in Push Toward Illiberalism
- Orban outlines plans at the start of his fourth term in office
- Orban’s policies have roiled relations with EU peers
Viktor Orban
Photographer: Akos Stiller/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said his new government would enact “big changes” over the next four years and he saw no need to revisit his controversial break with liberal democracy, which has roiled the ex-communist nation’s relations with the European Union.
The next government will aim to reverse a population decline in the country of 10 million, boost economic competitiveness and “rationalize” a decrepit state healthcare system, Orban told lawmakers after taking the oath of office for a fourth four-year term in Budapest on Thursday. He said that he would work to ensure “freedom” for Hungarians, though a strong government was the priority.