Hungary takes on EU presidency after clashes with Brussels [Video]

Hungary trumpeted its “joyful” taking over of the EU’s rotating presidency on Monday, despite widespread concerns over what critics see as the country’s authoritarian, Russia-friendly government.

Nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who has run the central European country since 2010 promising to transform it into an “illiberal democracy”, frequently clashes with Brussels over rule-of-law and human rights issues.

He is also the only EU leader who has maintained ties with Russia despite its invasion of Ukraine. He has refused to send arms to Kyiv and repeatedly slammed sanctions against Moscow over the war.

Hungary is taking over the six-month rotating presidency from Belgium under the motto: “Make Europe Great Again”.

That echoes the rallying cry of Orban’s “good friend” former US president Donald Trump — which already caused a stir in Brussels.

“Everybody’s happy that it’s our turn to make Europe great again!” Orban posted on X above a photo …