Sovereignty Has Always Been a Key Issue for Hungarians, Says PM's Political Director

Balazs Orban, the Hungarian prime minister's political director battled for the country's sovereignty on March 15, before European Commission for Democracy through Law - commonly referred to as the Venice Commission.

"The current draft opinion of the Venice Commission is unacceptable to the Hungarian government," he explained, arguing

On the one hand, the draft opinion does not recognize sovereignty as a European value and a legitimate goal. Although the need to defend sovereignty is not enshrined in international conventions, it is clearly the foundation of statehood. This opinion of the Venice Commission should therefore be of particular concern to Europe as a whole. On the other hand, the Commission is proposing to abolish the entire institution of the Sovereignty Protection Office, which not only goes against its own standards, but also precludes the possibility of any constructive dialogue.

The political director highlighted that 

For us Hungarians, sovereignty has always been a key issue, and it is in this spirit that we can engage in constructive dialogue.

Cover photo: Balazs Orban addresses the Venice Commission on March 15 (Source:  Balazs Orban's official Facebook page)