Socialist Leader Discusses Migration, EU Future With Brussels Officials

  • 1 Sep 2016 9:00 AM
Socialist Leader Discusses Migration, EU Future With Brussels Officials
Gyula Molnár, the leader of Hungary’s opposition Socialist Party, met European Union officials on Tuesday and Wednesday to discuss migration and the future of the bloc. Molnár held talks with European Parliament President Martin Schulz, European Commission Vice President Maroš Šefčovič, EU commissioners Vytenis Andriukaitis and Corina Cretu, as well as Gianni Pittella, the president of the EP’s Socialists and Democrats Group and other members of the group.

Molnar said that although his party, too, believes that the European Union is in need of reform, they do not agree with the direction Prime Minister Viktor Orbán wants the EU to go in.

The reforms should instead be about giving more power to member states and their elected officials, he said. Molnár said his party does not support the EU’s mandatory migrant quota scheme, adding, however, that Hungary’s referendum on the matter will be pointless because it will not have any legal consequences.

He described his talks with EU officials as substantive and said they focused on Europe’s future and the management of the migration crisis. EP President Martin Schulz said after the talks that the EU’s interests lie in a strong Hungary and vice-versa. He called Molnár a strong and important partner who can contribute to shaping the EU’s future.

Lajos Kósa, the leader of the ruling Fidesz party’s parliamentary group, reacted to Molnár’s remarks saying that the legal consequence of the referendum would be that if the migrant resettlement plan is rejected by Hungarian voters, the EU could only implement it in Hungary with the consent of parliament.

In the referendum scheduled for Oct. 2, voters will be asked: “Do you want to allow the European Union to mandate the resettlement of non- Hungarian citizens to Hungary without the approval of parliament?”

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

  • How does this content make you feel?