This article is more than 2 years old

This article is more than 2 years old

Viktor Orbán has said the main task of his new government will be to preserve Hungary’s security and Christian culture.



The hardline rightwinger was re-elected for a third successive term as prime minister in April after a strong anti-immigration message secured a landslide victory. He was asked to form a government by the president, János Áder, on Monday.

Orbán, one of the most vociferous opponents of immigration into Europe by mainly Muslim people fleeing war and poverty in the Middle East and Africa, saw his campaign, helped by his Fidesz party’s media dominance, resonate with swaths of the electorate, particularly in rural areas.

Fidesz holds 133 of 199 seats in the parliament, which will enable the party to pass any laws, even those that require two-thirds support.

Parliament will hold its first session on Tuesday, where Orbán will be officially re-elected prime minister.

In a radio interview on Friday, Orbán said his government was building a “Christian democracy”.

“We are working on building an old-school Christian democracy, rooted in European traditions ... We believe in the importance of the nation and in Hungary we do not want to yield ground to any supranational business or political empire,” he said.

Orbán has accused non-governmental organisations funded by the Hungarian-born billionaire George Soros of political meddling and actively supporting immigration.

He said any organisation involved in the migration issue would have to seek clearance from national security authorities.

One of the first laws expected to be passed by parliament is a “stop Soros” bill, which would impose a 25% tax on foreign donations to NGOs that back immigration.

Soros has said the attacks against him are “lies and distortions” designed to create a false enemy.