On Saturday, Hungary’s ruling party, Fidesz, in power for 15 years, held its 31st party congress in Budapest. Numerous politicians and candidates addressed the gathering, which concluded with a keynote speech by Viktor Orbán, the party’s president and the country’s current prime minister, outlining his political vision and goals ahead of the parliamentary elections scheduled for April.
The event featured the presentation of 106 individual candidates, including 65 returning MPs and 41 new candidates, who will run under the banner of Fidesz and its long-time ally, the Christian Democratic People’s Party (KDNP). Orbán stressed the importance of generational renewal while maintaining the party’s political direction and continuity.
In his speech, Orbán confirmed that he would run again in the upcoming elections, presenting his party as a guarantee for stability and security in an uncertain world, saying the election presents a historic choice for Hungary’s future—not just about a party or government, but about the nation’s destiny.
The congress motto, “The Safe Choice,” reflected the message that Hungary can remain peaceful and secure under Fidesz’s leadership. Orbán recalled the party’s past achievements, saying Fidesz has stood firm during every major challenge, from the global financial crisis to the pandemic and migration.
According to Orbán, the emerging world order brings new dangers, while international organisations have become “toothless lions,” unable to provide real help in times of crisis. He argued that this has ushered in an era of personal relationships, bilateral agreements, national strength, and sovereignty. He also emphasized the “Hungarian path” of peace, security, prosperity, and sovereignty versus the “Brussels path” of war, escalation, and submission to EU demands and reiterated election promises of no tax increases, no money to Ukraine, and no Hungarian youth sent to the front.
“Our strong argument for the Hungarian way is that the other way is a dead end. We have achieved results that others only dream of,” Orbán said. “We promised a family-based society, we put together Europe’s first family tax system,” he added. “Hungary needs this calm confidence, because we live in an age of dangers.”
The prime minister sharply criticised opposition parties, including the Tisza Party and the Democratic Coalition, who he said serve the interests of Brussels rather than Hungary’s national interests. “The young people who vote for Tisza and DK are destroying their own future,” he said.
Several prominent international politicians sent video messages to the congress, including Marine Le Pen, leader of France’s National Rally parliamentary group; Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni; Czech PM Andrej Babiš; Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić; and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, all expressing their support for Orbán.
U.S. President Donald Trump also sent a letter, which Viktor Orbán shared on social media on Friday. In the letter, dated December 10, Trump wished his Hungarian counterpart success in the 2026 election campaign and praised his “courageous leadership,” calling it exemplary. Trump added that he plans to visit Hungary in the near future, with preparations already under way.
