BUDAPEST, Hungary - Prime Minister Viktor Orbán delivered a strong rebuke to the European Union (EU) on Monday, drawing parallels between Hungary's membership in the bloc and the country's history of Soviet occupation. The remarks came during a speech commemorating the anniversary of Hungary's 1956 anti-Soviet revolution.

Speaking at an event in Veszprem, Orbán accused the EU of attempting to erode Hungary's identity by imposing a model of liberal democracy that the Hungarian people reject. He likened the methods employed by Brussels to those seen during the Soviet era in Moscow.

"Today, we see echoes of the Soviet times," Orbán stated at the exclusive event, attended only by select guests and Hungary's state broadcaster. "Fortunately, what was once tragic is now more of a comedy. Brussels is not Moscow; it is merely a bad contemporary parody."

The national holiday on October 23 has deep historical significance in Hungary, marking the start of a popular uprising against Soviet repression that originated in Budapest and spread throughout the country.

Orbán, known for his advocacy of "illiberal democracy," his alternative form of populist governance, has consistently used this occasion to rally his supporters. In recent years, he has sought to draw similarities between the EU's efforts to enforce anticorruption and democratic standards in Hungary and the repression faced under Soviet occupation.

"We were forced to dance to Moscow's tune," Orbán declared, referencing Hungary's time in the Eastern Bloc. "While Brussels may whistle, we will dance as we please, and if we choose not to dance, then we won't!"

The timing of this commemoration is particularly significant given the ongoing conflict in neighboring Ukraine, where Russia has occupied large parts of the country and illegally annexed four regions.

Orbán, widely viewed as one of Russian President Vladimir Putin's few allies within the EU, has actively campaigned against the bloc imposing sanctions on Moscow. However, it is important to note that the Hungarian leader has ultimately supported all sanctions packages.

Last week, Orbán met with Putin in Beijing ahead of an international forum, primarily focusing on Hungary's access to Russian energy resources. This meeting sparked concern among European leaders and other NATO members, including the United States, as an international arrest warrant has been issued against Orbán for alleged war crimes in Ukraine.

In response to Orbán's policies and the close ties with Russia, several thousand demonstrators took to the streets in Budapest on Monday evening. The protests centered around opposition to the Hungarian government's education practices, which critics argue undervalue public school teachers and have resulted in an educator shortage. Many also expressed discontent with the country's relationship with Russia in light of Moscow's actions in Ukraine.

As the demonstrators marched down a central avenue, they chanted slogans reminiscent of the 1956 anti-Soviet uprising, demanding that "Russians go home." The meeting between Orbán and Putin in Beijing was met with condemnation, with some protesters stating their "shame" over the Hungarian Prime Minister's association with the Russian leader.

The tensions between Orbán's government, the EU, and domestic opposition groups continue to escalate, raising concerns about Hungary's future within the European Union and its geopolitical alignment with Russia.