Have Wrong Choice Makers Foot the Bill, Not Hungarians

In an interview with Hungary's public Kossuth Radio, the prime minister delved into the extensive debates at the EU summit in Brussels, Hungary's withdrawal, its veto of the EU's 50-billion-euro subsidy for Ukraine, the partial unlocking of EU funds for Hungary, and the emphasis on safeguarding sovereignty.

– We once made an exception and we were wrong," Mr. Orban said. He emphasized that the situation in Ukraine doesn't look promising, so financing the war should be avoided, with a focus on promoting peace.

 – It is unacceptable that the money owed to Hungarians should be given away for war, he declared.

Better late than never

Better later than never," PM Orban remarked in connection with the release of one-third of EU funds due to Hungary. He emphasized that Hungarians are entitled to these amounts. Despite the challenges of the past year, the Hungarian economy has managed to survive without EU money. Mr. Orban criticized a tendency in Brussels to abuse their powers.

He mentioned that other countries aim to amend the EU's seven-year budget, a move Hungary has vetoed. Mr. Orban added that if someone wants to modify the budget, it's a good opportunity for Hungary to secure what it is entitled to.

Sovereignty is the greatest treasure

PM Orban underscored that the greatest treasure of any country is its independence, and that constitutional system is there to serve this fundamental purpose. Delving into specifics, he explained that while the Hungarian system had solid foundations, it became evident during the 2022 parliamentary election campaign that foreign funds and interests had somehow permeated these foundations.

The left, partly through left-wing media and partly via NGOs working for them, found a way to influence the election with foreign donations. Hungary's Sovereignty Protection Law was enacted to prevent this from happening again. Dollars cannot just flow into the left's coffers anymore," 

– Mr. Orban stated. He acknowledged that those whose interests are affected by the legislation might dislike it, but the intention behind this legislation was not to please everyone but to protect Hungary.

– The reason we can live better is because we produce for the entire global market. Sovereignty is not a question of isolation or integration but of the right integration into the international sphere," Mr. Orban explained in response to a question about the increasing value of sovereignty in the current international political climate where the world is moving towards forming blocs. Addressing the National Consultation survey, he emphasized that representing the voice of the Hungarian people is an obligation on the government's side, making its job easier in asserting the interests of Hungarians in Brussels.

Mr Orban underscored that he didn't represent the prime minister's or the government's view but, above all, Hungary's position. He highlighted that the left-wing, acting as mercenaries, doesn't genuinely represent Hungarian interests.

– The most crucial thing is that in all key issues, the decision rests with the elected representatives of the Hungarian parliament and the Hungarian people. This will also be the case with Ukraine's accession to the EU and other important issues.

Cover photo: PM Viktor Orban in Kossuth Radio's studio (Photo: MTI/PM's Press Office/Zoltan Fischer)