Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said Friday that investor George Soros issued a “declaration of war” when he called his home country a “mafia state.”

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Orban is facing legal action from the European Union after imposing education reforms that could force Soros’ Central European University to close. Soros applauded Hungarians Thursday for resisting “the deception and corruption of the mafia state the Orban regime has established.”

The Hungarian-born billionaire described Orban’s “mafia state” as “one which maintains a facade of democracy but the rulers use their control of the media, the judiciary and the other levers of influence, to enrich and maintain themselves in power.”

Orban in return accused Soros of enforcing his agenda by paying “agent-like networks” of non-governmental organizations.

“This is a declaration of war,” Orban said on state radio Friday, according to the Associated Press. “We are facing a financial speculator who has made a lot of money while … plunging many into poverty.”

The Hungarian government’s resistance to immigration have been particularly hurtful to Soros’ cause, according to Orban. (RELATED: EXCLUSIVE: ‘It Was An Invasion’: How Hungary Managed To Erase Illegal Immigration In Just A Few Months)

“The Hungarian government is defending the borders, built fences, and under these circumstances the Soros plan can’t be carried out,” Orban said.

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