Tusk's Domestic Struggles Fuel Orbán's Latest Critique Amidst EU Tensions

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has launched a sharp critique against his Polish counterpart, Donald Tusk, accusing him of attacking Hungary to divert attention from significant domestic political challenges. Orbán's comments, made via social media on November 1, 2025, claim Tusk's party recently lost the presidential election, his government faces instability, and he is trailing in polls.

"Prime Minister @donaldtusk has launched another attack against Hungary. He is doing this because he is in big trouble at home. His party lost the presidential election, his government is unstable, and he is trailing in the polls," Orbán stated in his tweet.

The Hungarian leader further alleged that Tusk, alongside Manfred Weber, has become a "loudest warmonger in Europe," whose Ukraine policy is failing as "Ukraine is running out of European money, and the Polish people are tired of the war." Orbán asserted that Tusk "cannot change course because he has turned Poland into a vassal of Brussels." This social media exchange follows a sarcastic post from Tusk regarding Orbán's meeting with former Polish Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro, who is under investigation.

Recent reports indicate that an ally of Prime Minister Tusk indeed lost the Polish presidential election earlier in 2025, and Tusk's approval ratings have been falling, leading to a cabinet reshuffle in July 2025. This political backdrop lends context to Orbán's claims of Tusk's domestic difficulties. Tusk's government, a coalition, has reportedly faced internal divisions and public skepticism regarding its ability to deliver on key reforms.

The accusation of Tusk being a "vassal of Brussels" reflects a long-standing point of contention from Orbán, who frequently positions Hungary as a defender of national sovereignty against perceived overreach by the European Union. Hungary has consistently adopted a more cautious stance on aid to Ukraine and has sought to form a "Ukraine-skeptic alliance" with countries like Czechia and Slovakia, contrasting sharply with Poland's staunch pro-Ukraine position.

"He is now in panic mode, persecuting his political opponents and criticising Hungary’s pro-peace stance in an attempt to distract from his own domestic problems. This is so sad," Orbán wrote, emphasizing Hungary's "path of peace."

Concerns over the sustainability of EU funding for Ukraine and increasing "war fatigue" among some member states have been noted by analysts, potentially fueling the rhetoric. The ongoing verbal sparring underscores the growing ideological rift between the two Central European leaders, impacting the historically strong relationship between Hungary and Poland. Orbán concluded his statement by asserting that Hungary refuses to become a "vassal of Brussels" and urged Tusk to "mind his own business."