Hungary FM Draws a Clear Line on Role of EU Ambassadors + Video

The Hungarian government will not accept any criticism, commentary, or lecturing from the ambassadors of European Union member states stationed in Hungary regarding the April elections, Foreign Affairs Minister Peter Szijjarto declared on Friday in Budapest. He warned that Brussels is doing everything it can to install a Brussels-aligned government that serves Brussels’ interests.

It is already evident that, anticipating the likely defeat of the Tisza Party, efforts have begun to erode confidence in Hungary’s elections. They are already talking about manipulation, attempting to discredit our electoral system, criticizing it in advance,

he said, noting “We do not accept this. We do not criticize other countries’ electoral systems, and therefore we expect ours to be respected as well.”

The foreign minister added that he would make it clear to ambassadors that if they interfere, comment on, or criticize Hungary’s electoral process in the coming period, “their ability to do their work in Budapest will become extremely difficult. They certainly will not be able to meet with any senior leaders of the state administration, and they will not get beyond the level of deputy department head,” he warned.

We expect respect. We expect our sovereignty to be respected. And we expect that not a single ambassador serving in Budapest will lecture, speak out, criticize, or comment on Hungary’s elections,

Szijjarto concluded.

Foreign Affairs Minister Peter Szijjarto also delivered his message in a video posted on his Facebook page.

Cover photo: Peter Szijjarto, Hungary's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Photo: MTI/KKM).