Why did Orban apologise to European conservative parties?

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Orban Apologised to European Conservative Parties Amidst Potential Ejection from EPP Bloc

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban issued an apology to European conservative parties, specifically members of the European People's Party (EPP), following a controversial anti-European Union billboard campaign. This apology was prompted by a proposal from 13 EPP member parties to expel Orban's ruling Fidesz party from the dominant centre-right bloc in the European Parliament. The campaign, which accused European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and George Soros of plotting to flood Europe with migrants, had created significant backlash within the EPP.
Apology Followed Threat of Expulsion from EPP

The potential expulsion from the EPP followed a period of escalating tension, primarily driven by a provocative billboard campaign launched by the Hungarian government. This campaign targeted key figures within the EU, including President Juncker and philanthropist George Soros, depicting them as orchestrating a plan to increase migration into Europe. In response to this, a significant faction within the EPP, comprising leaders from 13 member parties, formally proposed the expulsion of Fidesz. This action underscored the gravity of the situation, as it directly threatened Orban's party's position within a major political group.
Orban Referred to Critics as "Useful Idiots"

Prior to issuing the formal apology, Orban had publicly described his critics within the EPP as "useful idiots" in a newspaper interview earlier in March. He accused these individuals of inadvertently aiding the EPP's leftwing and liberal opponents in the lead-up to the European Parliament elections. This strong language further exacerbated the rift, leading to demands for a more substantial acknowledgement of the damage caused by his rhetoric and the campaign.
Conditions Set for Fidesz to Remain in EPP

Manfred Weber, the EPP's leading candidate for the European Commission presidency, met with Orban and outlined three specific conditions for Fidesz to retain its membership within the bloc. These conditions included the immediate withdrawal of the anti-EU billboard campaign, a formal apology to EPP member parties, and allowing the Central European University (CEU), founded by George Soros, to continue operating in Budapest. While the Hungarian government indicated it would cease the billboard campaign by Friday, the broader implications for Fidesz's standing within the EPP remained a subject of ongoing discussion.

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Why did Orban apologise to European conservative parties?

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