Back
Politics

Former Australian PM Tony Abbott Comments on Viktor Orbán's Election Defeat

Generated on: Last updated: 1 sources
View source

Tony Abbott Comments on Viktor Orbán's Election Defeat in Hungary

Former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has commented on the recent election defeat of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Abbott, who has been a senior visiting fellow at Hungary's conservative Danube Institute since 2023, made statements on social media and in a podcast interview, praising aspects of Orbán's tenure. The election result has raised questions about the future of thinktanks that received funding under Orbán's government.

Election Outcome in Hungary

Viktor Orbán’s Fidesz party lost Hungary’s parliamentary election to the opposition Tisza party, led by Péter Magyar. The Tisza party won at least 138 of the 199 seats in parliament, ending Orbán’s 16-year tenure as Prime Minister.

Statements by Tony Abbott

Tony Abbott commented on the election and Orbán's leadership in a social media post and a podcast interview with the Danube Institute, recorded before the election results were final.

  • In his social media statement, Abbott said Orbán had made Budapest "something of a haven for conservative intellectuals" and stated he did not "expect the new government will want that to change."
  • Abbott credited Orbán's leadership with a strengthened economy, a transformed Budapest, and family and cultural policies that have been "studied around the world."
  • Abbott noted a policy disagreement, stating, "[Orbán] and I differed on Ukraine but I thought he was dead right to defy the EU, on illegal immigration especially."
  • In the podcast interview, Abbott described Orbán as "Trump with brains" and called him "Hungary's greatest modern leader" and a "transformative prime minister."
  • Abbott stated that Orbán "has reminded the wider world that controlling immigration is not just about stopping illegal migrants. It's also about limiting the numbers so that your country can keep its culture."
  • Abbott also commented on Australian policy, suggesting conservatives should note Orbán's approach. He said, "Given that our birthrate is declining fast, we are, at the moment, bringing in record numbers of migrants... And I would personally like to see much lower migration and far more Australian kids."

"Orbán has reminded the wider world that controlling immigration is not just about stopping illegal migrants. It's also about limiting the numbers so that your country can keep its culture."

Background and Context

  • Tony Abbott's Role: Abbott has been listed as a senior visiting fellow at the Danube Institute since 2023 under Australia's foreign influence transparency scheme. The thinktank has received funding from the former Hungarian government.
  • Orbán's Tenure: During his 16 years in office, Orbán's government had multiple policy disputes with the European Union. The European Council suspended billions of euros in funding to Hungary over issues including judicial independence, migration, LGBTQ+ rights, and aid for Ukraine.
  • Previous Comments: Abbott has praised Orbán's policies previously, including at a European conference in 2019.

Current Status and Response

  • The future of pro-Fidesz organizations like the Danube Institute is uncertain following the change in government, due to their previous reliance on state funding.
  • When contacted by Guardian Australia for comment on the election outcome and his future at the Danube Institute, Abbott's office referred the publication to his social media statement.