Every Country Has the Right to Prevent Foreign Influence

Anyone gaining public power while being in someone's pocket endangers the country's sovereignty, the Fidesz parliamentary group leader pointed out on public radio's Sunday morning program.

Budapest, 2023. március 6. Kocsis Máté, a Fidesz frakcióvezetõje felszólal napirend elõtt az Országgyûlés plenáris ülésén 2023. március 6-án. MTI/Kovács Tamás Fotó: Kovács Tamás

 Mate Kocsis expects that the operation of the Office for the Protection of Sovereignty will come under serious attack, not only from the Hungarian Left, but also from "micro-donors" who sought to gain influence in Hungarian public life with money. He called it a widely-known fact in Hungarian domestic politics that speculators, billionaires and even certain agencies of foreign states interfere in Hungary's public life from abroad. Suffice to think of the fact that for a long time, more than fifty percent of the Hungarian media was financed from abroad, or how much so-called "civil" money NGOs receive from abroad.

What is at issue is not anyone financing media from abroad.  However, it is an issue if someone seeks to exercise public power and they or their organizations are funded from abroad,

the Fidesz parliamentary group leader explained the difference, adding that the laws will likely have sufficient deterrent power. However, he noted,

knowing the Hungarian Left and the financing system of the international Left, they will try to cheat all the rules in the future too.

Mate Kocsis expects the use of double standards against Hungary once again, with the liberal elite calling for "all kinds of procedures", but it is important to see that the Hungarian regulations will not be in any manner exceptional compared to those in other countries. In many EU member states there are rules in place to protect sovereignty, he noted.

"Like it or not, a country has the right, to prevent interference in its internal affairs by anyone, from anywhere, from the United States or Brussels, or from any corner in the world," said Mate Kocsis. He added that no one should buy Hungarian left-wing politicians or finance organizations that could be in a position to make decisions affecting the country, because this would violate Hungary's sovereignty.

The Fidesz parliamentary group leader stated that they are happy to participate in debates, they stand firm in their position, and will use all means to enforce everything contained in the law on the protection of sovereignty.

Cover photo: Mate Kocsis in parliament (Photo: MTI/Tamas Kovacs)