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Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said he is not afraid of losing the upcoming election, as he faces a rare challenge to his two-decade grip on power in Budapest.
Polls show that Orban's Fidesz party, who has served as prime minister for nearly 20 years and without interruption for the last 15 years, is trailing Hungary's opposition Tisza Party, led by Péter Magyar.
In an interview with Mathias Döpfner, CEO of German media group Axel Springer, Orban said he had "practice" in opposition and was not worried about his political survival, in response to a question about whether he would accept the result if he lost.
Magyar is gaining ground in the polls on promises to root out corruption and revive Hungary's stagnant economy. Elections will be held in the spring, most likely in April.
"I am not only the record holder for being prime minister, but I am also the record holder for being opposition leader," Orban said, adding, "I have experience, I spent 16 years in politics as opposition leader, don't be afraid. I know how to continue."
Orban's 15-year rule has seen Budapest criticized for a backsliding on democracy and the rule of law, with the populist-nationalist prime minister frequently clashing with the EU over support for Ukraine, LGBTQ+ rights and Russian sanctions.
"The European Union is a danger to us. They are blackmailing us. They are trying to strangle us economically and financially," he said.
Orban argued that his "main opponent" in the election is not Magyar, but Brussels.
“Brussels would like to change the government in Hungary. They would like a government here in Hungary, like they did in Poland, that is following the instructions coming from Brussels on migration, on the economy, on the war,” he said, adding, “but I am not that person.”
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