This is a new sign of hostility on the part of Viktor Orban’s government towards the European Union (EU): the latter has launched a new national consultation aimed at “defending the sovereignty” of the Central European country in the face of various positions of the EU, the the country belongs, Friday, November 17th.
“Brussels wants to build migrant ghettos in Hungary. What do you think ? » he asks in one of the eleven questions in the form published on his Facebook page.
In addition to European migration policy, the consultation repeatedly addresses the war in neighboring Ukraine, with which Hungary has tense relations. For example, the Hungarian population is asked to express their opinion on two related topics, formulated as follows: “Brussels wants to give Ukraine more weapons and money”, “Brussels wants Ukraine to join the European Union”.
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The nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban is used to this legally effective method, which he has regularly used to legitimize his anti-EU positions since 2015. Last week he said he hoped to get a blank check on his policies in order to “stand firm” in the fight with Brussels.
Very oriented formulations
Although Hungary is a member of NATO, it refuses to make military contributions to Kiev and maintains ties with the Kremlin. She had warned the European Commission not to start accession negotiations with Kiev.
As far as the import embargo on Ukrainian grain is concerned, which Budapest refuses to lift despite the advice from Brussels, voters have a choice: “support Hungarian farmers by all means” or “open our market to genetically modified Ukrainian grain”.
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Throughout the questionnaire, the wording is often very biased and even presents claims without evidence.
A question about Hamas states that the Palestinian Islamist movement has received financial support from Brussels. Viktor Orban unconditionally supports Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the military operation in the Gaza Strip in retaliation for the bloody Hamas attack on Israeli territory on October 7th.
On another issue, the government accuses Brussels and “various foreign organizations” of interfering in Hungary’s political life by “distributing billions of euros to the opposition.” And calls for a decision on stricter legislation, a project that is currently being discussed.
Citizens are asked to return the questionnaire by post by January 10th, and there will also be an option to fill it out online soon.
In 2022, the last consultation on EU sanctions against Russia cost Hungary 2.7 billion forints (7 million euros). Of the eight million voters, 1.4 million or 17.5% took part. Citing their answers, the government assured that 97% of Hungarians were against the sanctions.
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