National Petition Launches Today: A Chance to Put a Stop to Brussels’ War Plans

Hungary's government has extensive experience in building common ground with the Hungarian people. Alongside the national petition launching today, national consultations and referendums in the past have repeatedly given citizens the opportunity to express their views on key issues.

Prime Minister Viktor Orban presents the national petition (Photo: Prime Minister’s General Department of Communication/Zoltan Fischer)

Strong Support for the Government's Policy

In response to EU sanctions introduced in the autumn of 2022 over the war in Ukraine, the government again asked for public opinion. According to official information, 97 percent of respondents rejected the sanctions that caused serious damage. About 1.3 million people took part in the consultation.

One of the most widely known national consultations was held in May 2015 during the migration crisis, focusing on immigration and terrorism. Around 1.2 million people participated, and the vast majority supported the government’s stance against Brussels in defense of national interests.

Around 1.2 million people participated, and the vast majority supported the government’s stance against Brussels in defense of national interests.

In the summer of 2021,  the consultation focused on economic topics such as the minimum wage, family tax refunds, and the loan moratorium, as well as migration and domestic vaccine production. Nearly 1.5 million people participated and supported the government’s position.

No to EU Membership for Ukraine and to Migrant Quotas

Consultations are not the only instrument for Hungarians to express their views. Last spring, Viktor Orban announced a consultative vote on Ukraine’s EU membership. In the “Voks 2025” vote, 2.1 million people participated. At the June EU summit in Brussels, the Prime Minister announced that 95 percent opposed fast-tracking Ukraine’s EU accession.

Referendums also give voters the opportunity to express their will and set the direction for government policy.

For example, in 2022, alongside the parliamentary elections, a referendum on child protection was held. On four questions, a large majority supported the government’s position against the spread of LGBTQ propaganda in schools and kindergartens. In 2016, the government asked Hungarians about the EU's migrant quotas. In the referendum held after the migration crisis, 98 percent rejected the plan for quotas and supported the government’s strict migration policy.

Cover photo: Prime Minister Viktor Orban presents the national petition (Photo: Prime Minister’s General Department of Communication/Zoltan Fischer)