The President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, noted in her opening statement that the Hungarian presidency is taking place at a time when the EU is "making significant progress," including "supporting Ukraine, strengthening European competitiveness, and building a more stable, safer Europe."
"The EU must change," said Orbán, adding that the situation is "much more serious" than during the last Hungarian presidency in 2011. He pointed to the war in Ukraine, escalating conflicts in the Middle East and Africa, migration, and risks to the Schengen area.
Orbán noted that the EU's economic growth over the past twenty years has been much lower than that of China and the US. By no longer importing cheap energy from Russia, economic growth has been lost, Orbán said. "We must not fall into the illusion that the green transition alone offers a solution to the problem."
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen criticized Orbán's unilateral approach regarding Russia: Hungary remains the only EU member state to buy Russian gas. She also criticized the country's visa policy for Russians, who can access Hungary—and thus the entire EU—without additional checks. She warned that this "makes Hungary a security risk, not only for Hungary but for all member states."
Regarding migration, Orbán warned that "without external hotspots, we cannot protect Europeans against illegal migration." He believes the EU asylum system simply does not work.
Most Members of the European Parliament criticized the Hungarian prime minister for his record since the country assumed the Council presidency, undermining Ukraine's fight against Russian aggression and cooperating with illiberal regimes in Moscow and Beijing. Most EU politicians expressed concern about the complete lack of respect for EU values by the Hungarian prime minister, as well as accusations of rampant corruption in Hungary.
Three Dutch MEPs also responded to Orbán’s speech. Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy (D66) pointed to the undemocratic tendencies in Hungary. "Not a single sensible European wishes for their own country what your incompetence has done to the brave and good people of Hungary."
MEP Tineke Strik (GroenLinks), recently appointed rapporteur on the situation in Hungary, stated that "the truth is not in Orbán’s interest. The truth is that he is a corrupt, disloyal, and ruthless violator of the most fundamental values of the EU."
CDA member Jeroen Lenaers said that "we will stand shoulder to shoulder with the Hungarian people on their path toward a sovereign, modern, democratic, and European Hungary. Change will come for Hungary and even Mr. Orbán will not be able to stop it."