This year, the prestigious Hunyadi János Award for the protection of European values and freedom was given to Italian deputy prime minister Matteo Salvini, the president of Lega (Patriots for Europe), for his “unwavering” defense of European borders throughout the migration crisis.
The award was presented by Hungarian PM Viktor Orbán during a ceremony in Brussels on Wednesday, March 19th, in front of dozens of MEPs and Patriot leaders, including Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella from France’s National Rally (RN).
In his speech, PM Orbán recalled the “political witch hunt” against Salvini, which culminated last year in prosecutors asking for a six-year prison sentence in an absurd “kidnapping” case, where the Lega leader refused to let illegal migrants disembark from an NGO ship that broke national laws back in 2019.
“Back then, we said Salvini deserves praise instead of punishment,” Orbán said. “Justice has been done twice. First, when the court acquitted him, and then now, by honoring him” for acting in defense “of an entire civilization.” Orbán then turned directly to Salvini:
What you are doing is not only right but also a mission that shapes Europe’s destiny. You must know that you’re not alone, the nations and freedom-loving people of Europe are watching you and deeply respect your personal struggle.
Deputy Prime Minister @matteosalvinimi stood firm when others caved, defending his homeland from illegal migration. Today, we honoured him with the Hunyadi János Award as a warrior for Europe’s future. The battles ahead will be tough, but Matteo will not stand alone. God bless… pic.twitter.com/mrPlCYlj3y
— Orbán Viktor (@PM_ViktorOrban) March 19, 2025
Orbán also warned that the battle is far from over for those who want to “restore the Europe of nations.” He said patriotic forces need to form a new leadership in Brussels to reclaim the rights that have been “illegally confiscated” from member states in the past decade, as well as to remove the “corrupt agents of the Soros network” from the European Union institutions, following the example set by “our friends” in Washington.
After taking the stage, Salvini thanked Orbán for his support throughout his legal persecution and stated that the real emergency facing Europe is not Russia, but the inevitable consequences of mass migration:
The biggest threat is fanaticism, terrorism, and Islamic radicalism … We will continue our fight for a strong, free, and safe Europe.
The Hunyadi János Award—named after a medieval commander who successfully defended Hungary and Christendom from the Ottoman invasion in the mid-1400s—was established by the Foundation for a Civic Hungary (Fidesz’s political foundation) in 2023. The first recipient was Polish MEP Prof. Ryszard Legutko, for his life’s work campaigning against EU ideological dominance and encroachment on member states’ sovereignty.
A statuette, a certificate, and a “modest” monetary prize of €20,000 comprise the award.
