The government’s upcoming anti-quota referendum serves just that purpose, the Socialists said. The leftist Democratic Coalition (DK) welcomed Varga’s “apparent change of heart”, saying the best way to promote Hungary’s national interests would be to adopt the euro.

DK board member Szabolcs Kerék-Barczy called on Fidesz “to decide whether they agree with Varga or wish to continue fighting against the EU, Hungary and its citizens”. Should Fidesz back Varga, the ruling party “must immediately stop its hate-mongering” against the EU and drop the upcoming quota referendum, seen as the first step in “the process of Hungary’s departure from the EU”, he said.

The ruling Fidesz party said that “it is not the EU and Hungary’s membership in it that is the problem but the erroneous migration policy of Brussels”.

It added that parties with a “sanctimonious” message in support of Europe and the single currency would now be joining efforts to settle migrants in Europe and in Hungary if they were in power. Fidesz underscored its commitment to Europe, saying Hungary is now a member of the bloc and would continue to be one in the future, too.

Republished with permission of Hungary Matters, MTI’s daily newsletter.