Hungary’s Orban steps up anti-migrant rhetoric as election nears

Prime minister has become known for his tough anti-immigration measures including building razor-wire border fences

Viktor Orban delivers his state of the nation address in front of his party members and sympathisers. AFP/Attila KISBENEDEK

Hungary's prime minister Viktor Orban on Sunday ratcheted up his  hardline anti-immigration rhetoric as he urged voters to re-elect him in April for a third term, branding the opposition as out of touch and "hopeless".

“Dark clouds are gathering over Europe because of immigration,” Mr Orban told an audience of supporters during an annual state-of-the-nation speech in Budapest.

“Nations will cease to exist, the West will fall, while Europe won't even realise that it has been invaded,” he said, claiming that large European cities could soon have Muslim majority populations.

“The opposition doesn’t feel the voice of the times,” he said.

Since 2015, the 54-year-old has become known for his anti-immigration measures including building razor-wire border fences, and his criticism of EU policies in this and other areas.

He has also sparked a bitter feud with the Hungarian-born US billionaire George Soros, whom he accuses of orchestrating immigration from the Middle East and Africa.

Mr Orban said on Sunday that Hungarian opposition parties had not supported the border fences, had opposed the government in its ongoing quarrels with the EU over refugee quotas, and  sided with Mr Soros regarding immigration.

“This is why the opposition are in a hopeless position … I don’t understand how they can ask for people’s trust," he said, flanked by a row of Hungarian flags, with the slogan on his podium reading “For Us, Hungary First".

His stance against migrants has bolstered his popularity at home despite accusations by critics that his nationalist policies have steered Hungary away from democracy and towards authoritarianism.

Mr Orban’s supporters say that he is reforming Hungary after decades of stagnation, particularly during the country’s communist period that followed the Second World War.

The strongest opposition party — the right-wing Jobbik — is currently polling under 20 per cent of decided voters among Hungary’s electorate of eight million.

Mr Orban's ruling Fidesz party is polling about 50 per cent, although an unfolding corruption scandal involving the premier's son-in-law and a row over an alleged government cover-up of refugee intake numbers have provided unexpected setbacks  for the government in recent weeks.

The size of Fidesz's  probable majority is  regarded by analysts as the main factor to watch, with a drop from the two thirds majority won four years ago potentially loosening Mr Orban's grip on power.

Election rules introduced since 2012 also punish smaller parties if they are unable to form effective alliances, as has happened with several leftist and liberal groups.