EU chaos as bloc divided day after leader praises Brexit Britain: 'They wouldn't take it'

Viktor Orban, Hungary’s maverick Prime Minister launched a scathing attack on the EU - the day after he heaped praise on the UK and said it would “never have accepted” the way his country and other member states are treated by Brussels.

Addressing MEPs in Strasbourg yesterday, the leader of the right-wing Fidesz Party said: "The EU’s asylum system is not working. Illegal migration has increased antisemitism, violence against women, and homophobia in Europe. These are the facts, whether we like them or not."

His broadside came a day after he lamented Britain’s departure and claimed Brexit had changed the balance completely.

He told reporters: "The EU was always about the balance between those wanting a federalised EU and on the other side those who wanted more sovereignty and independence."

Before 2016, the year the UK voted to quit the EU, there had been a “natural, internal balance” between on the one hand France, Germany and other founding member states pushing for greater European integration and the UK, Hungary and other central European nations pushing back.

He added: "There was no rule-of-law procedure, conditionality was unthinkable. Can you imagine the UK accepting that? There was a natural balance.

"This unbalanced situation created more confrontational situations. Not because we want to be confrontational, but because we want to keep the previous balance."

He added: "I can’t serve Hungary without getting involved in international politics."

Mr Orban is a persistent thorn in the side of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen who has found himself increasingly at odds with eurocrats and EU leaders in recent years.

Earlier this year he launched the Patriots for Europe group in the European Parliament, since when it has become the third-largest force in the assembly.

Member parties have recently racked up big wins in elections in EU countries including Austria, the Netherlands and the Czech Republic.

His stance drew a sharp rebuke from Ms von der Leyen, speaking after him, with the former German defence minister saying: "There is only one path to achieve a just peace for Ukraine and for Europe, we must continue to empower Ukraine's resistance with political, financial and military support.”

Mr Orban is also proposing a ceasefire with Russia, having claimed the current strategy "does not work”.

Referring to a controversial diplomatic mission led by Mr Orban which included a trip to Moscow, former European Commission vice-president Manfred Weber added: “Your trip was never a peace mission. It was a big propaganda show for the autocrats.”

Mr Orban’s tough stance on immigration, especially during the 2015 migrant crisis, and his promotion of conservative Christian values have also sparked polarisation within both Hungary and Europe.

Orban’s relationship with the European Union (EU) is strained because his policies often conflict with the EU’s democratic values and legal frameworks.

The EU has launched multiple legal actions against Hungary over concerns about judicial independence, media freedom, and corruption.

Furthermore, his opposition to EU-wide policies, such as migrant quotas, has created further tensions, with Hungary blocking several EU initiatives.

In April he was joined on stage by Reform UK leader Nigel Farage at an event entitled National Conservatism Conference, which was closed down by the police, prompting accusations of cancel culture from organisers.