The atmosphere was electric on Wednesday October 9, when the Hungarian president spoke before the European Parliament in Strasbourg. His country has assumed the presidency of the European Union since the beginning of July but the head of state is known for his opposition to the policy pursued by the European Union, particularly on the migration issue.
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Viktor Orban persists and signs. On Tuesday October 8, he caused an outcry by calling on the European Union to change strategy by Ukraine or by promising to open the champagne in the event of a victory Donald Trump to UNITED STATES. The next day, in front of the European hemicycle in Strasbourg, he again asked the European Union to change its policy. “ Many of you object to what I say. But the facts speak for themselves. In Europe, illegal immigration is increasing, as is anti-Semitism, vile violence against women and homophobia. he declared in front of deputies, who were mostly hostile to him.
“ The result of this unsuccessful migration policy is clear. Illegal immigration and security fears have led to the reinstallation of border controls. I think it is time to address this issue at the highest political level and see if we can restore the proper functioning of the Schengen area or the political will to ensure its proper functioning “, he continued. Viktor Orban has therefore chosen to place the migration issue at the center of the priorities of his country’s presidency. He wants to take advantage of a more conservative Europe today to tighten the rules. Statements which further strain relations with the European Commission, less than six months after the adoption of the asylum and immigration pact.
European replica
For their part, the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and Manfred Weber, the leader of the right-wing group (PPE) in Parliament, have in turn castigated Hungarian position on the war in Ukraine. In particular: the meeting between Viktor Orban and Vladimir Putin in July, thus going against European diplomatic positions. “ Your trip (to Moscow) has never been a peace mission. It was a big propaganda show for the autocrats », Launched Manfred Weber to the Hungarian Prime Minister. “ There is only one way to achieve a just peace for Ukraine and for Europe: we must continue to strengthen the resistance ofUkraine with political, financial and military support », asserted Ursula von der Leyen.
Speakers from the center and the left also increased their attacks. “ You are not welcome here, this is the home of European democracy “, criticized the leader of the environmentalists Terry Reintke.“ The more you work to dismantle the rule of law in Hungary, the more we will defend it everywhere on European soil », Launched Raphaël Glucksmann (S&D, left).
Viktor Orban sharply responded by speaking again. “ This is a political intifada, you repeat the lies of the Hungarian left! “, he criticized the MEPs. “ You want to teach us lessons in democracy while you exclude Patriots from positions » keys, he denounced, in reference to the cordon santé opposed to the far-right group of Patriots for Europe where MEPs from the Hungarian Fidesz and the French RN sit in particular. Mocking the “ easy propaganda » of his political opponents, he regretted that the debate had “ exceeded the limits of truth “.
Anti-fascist signs and chants
Before his intervention in the hemicycle, radical left deputies brandished signs “ no money for corruption », in reference to European funds intended for Hungary, and partially frozen for reasons of rule of law. “ Democrats versus autocrats », We could also read on posters brandished by the social democrats. The anti-fascist song Bella Ciao was briefly sung in part of the hemicycle before a reframing by the President of Parliament Roberta Metsola. “ It’s not Eurovision “, said the Maltese.
“ This is one of the strongest debates I have ever attended. », declared in conclusion the Slovak Vice-President of the European Commission, Maros Sefcovic. He advocated “ the unity of Europe in the face of the challenges of the future”, without which “all Europeans will lose, including the Hungarians “.
Many backgrounds
Since his return to the head of the country in 2010, Viktor Orban has strengthened his grip on power while restricting the rights of oppositions, clashing several times with Brussels on questions of migration and the rule of law. In July, the European Commission found in a report that Hungary did not meet EU democratic standards, notably on corruption, political financing, conflicts of interest and media independence.
In the latest episode of the conflict between Budapest and Brussels, the Commission announced, a week ago, that it would refer the matter to European justice regarding the Hungarian law on “ sovereignty », which NGOs consider as a new offensive to muzzle counter-powers.
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