Hungary’s Quota Referendum To Encourage Other Countries

  • 19 Aug 2016 9:00 AM
Hungary’s Quota Referendum To Encourage Other Countries
Hungary’s upcoming referendum on migrant quotas could encourage other countries with a similar foreign policy position, House Speaker László Kövér said in an interview published in weekly Heti Válasz on Thursday. Concerning the outcome of the referendum, Kövér said “it would be difficult to conceive that the European Union should in a political sense neglect the opinion of a member country’s voters.”

Referring to allegations that the quota referendum is paving the way for Hungary to quit the EU, Kövér said that EU “membership is in Hungary’s fundamental interests despite all reservations”. He added, however, that he “would not want to see” the community grow into “an empire oppressing national sentiment”.

Kövér also promoted his Fidesz party, and said it was the “best political option”. He argued that the ruling party “not only has a vision for Hungary’s future but can also successfully handle challenges”.

The opposition, on the other hand, “has no values or mission apart from the mighty desire to win power”.

In connection with critical remarks on the assets of some ministers, Kövér said that “they may have been unprepared for an increasing exposure to attacks as they grow wealthier; irrespective of whether those assets were obtained legitimately or not.”

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

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