What's happened
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has accused the EU of attempting to install a puppet government in Hungary, echoing claims made about Poland. This rhetoric comes amid rising tensions between Hungary and EU institutions, as Orban rallies right-wing parties against perceived external threats.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to The Independent, Orban claimed that EU officials are conspiring to replace his government, likening it to a coup in Poland. Politico reported that he urged Hungarians to resist foreign influence, invoking historical uprisings against Soviet control. Bloomberg highlighted the political context, noting that Orban's rhetoric comes as his opposition gains traction, suggesting a potential shift in Hungary's political landscape. These contrasting perspectives illustrate the tension between Orban's populist narrative and the realities of democratic processes in the region.
How we got here
Orban's government has faced criticism from the EU for rule-of-law violations, leading to financial sanctions. His recent comments coincide with Poland's political shifts, where the opposition has gained ground against the ruling party, prompting fears of similar EU interventions in Hungary.
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Hungary is a country in Central Europe. Spanning 93,030 square kilometres in the Carpathian Basin, it borders Slovakia to the north, Ukraine to the northeast, Romania to the east and southeast, Serbia to the south, Croatia and Slovenia to the southwest, a
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