Sandro Gozi, Secretary General of the European Democratic Party (EDP) and Member of the European Parliament with Renew Europe, Péter Márki-Zay, President of MMN, and historian Stefano Bottoni spoke on 2 April 2026 in Budapest, Hungary at the conference “Ruszkik haza! – Defending Democracy, Strengthening Europe”. The event brought together a large and engaged audience at a critical moment for Hungary and for the European Union, focusing on the defence of democracy, the rule of law and Europe’s political cohesion. Click here to watch the event video.
The conference delivered a clear message: democracy, sovereignty and Europe are not negotiable. Within this framework, the EDP reaffirmed its centrist and liberal vision, linking the protection of democratic institutions to the strength and credibility of the European project. The hungarian historical slogan “Ruszkik haza!”, presented as both a historical reference and a current political call, was framed as a demand for freedom, dignity and democratic sovereignty within a stronger and more united Europe.
In his remarks, Gozi placed Hungary’s political trajectory firmly within a European context, stating that “After 16 years of Viktor Orbán’s rule, these elections are a crucial test — certainly for Hungary, but also for Europe.” As EDP Secretary General, he stressed that what is at stake goes beyond national politics, pointing to the broader implications for trust, governance and the rule of law across the Union. A democratic transition, he argued, could reopen a path for Hungary to fully reconnect with Europe and move beyond years of political isolation.
Péter Márki-Zay emphasised the need for Hungary to reclaim its democratic direction and independence, warning: “Viktor Orbán is unable to defend Hungarians from Russian influence, effectively turning Hungary into a dependency of Putin. We must fight for our freedom and say it clearly again: Russians, go home.” Stefano Bottoni highlighted the structural nature of Hungary’s political system, noting that “Hungary represents a unique example of an illiberal system built over time through constitutional and legal engineering, which makes democratic change particularly complex.” Together, these contributions underscored a shared European responsibility.
For the EDP and the Renew Europe family, the Hungarian case is a test of Europe’s capacity to defend its core values with clarity and consistency. Strengthening democracy in Hungary means strengthening Europe as a whole. The conference marked a further step in the EDP’s commitment to supporting democratic resilience, political pluralism and a renewed European future.
