Listening to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's sharp turn in rhetoric in recent days and weeks, one could gain the impression that he is shedding the vestiges of democratic forbearance. Ever since US President Donald Trump — Orban's "comrade in arms," as he put it — returned to the White House in January, the Hungarian head of government has been attacking critics with unknown harshness, and issuing unprecedented threats.

Last week, Orban held his annual State of the Nation address, in which he takes stock of the past year and announces plans for the upcoming one. These speeches are usually dotted with several pointed remarks that elicit the occasional laugh from the audience.

This year, his address contained such rhetorical bombshells as referring to the neighboring state of Ukraine as a "territory" that would serve as a "buffer zone" between Russia and NATO member states.

He also hinted at banning the LGBTQ parade Budapest Pride and amending the constitution to say that a person is either a man or a woman — effectively ending any trans or queer representation.

This year's State of the Nation could mark a similar turning point as Orban's infamous 2014........

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