“We have a choice between protecting our country and allowing it to change forever,” Balázs Hidvéghi said, citing recent estimates, according to which 60 million migrants are expected to flee Africa for Europe over the coming years. The “mass migrant invasion”, which “poses a fundamental threat” to Europe, is now in its third year, he said.

Hidvéghi criticised the leftist opposition, which he called the “Soros company”, referring to US financier George Soros, saying that “all of them have made it clear that they are ready to accept mass migration”. He singled out László Botka, the Socialist Party’s candidate for prime minister, who he said “went straight to Brussels after his nomination” to make it clear that he intends to dismantle the fence on the southern border.

“Ferenc Gyurcsány and the Democratic Coalition fall into the same category,” Hidvéghi said, arguing that the former prime minister was also an “enthusiastic supporter” of Brussels’ migration policy. He said the opposition Együtt party also belonged to the “Soros company”, arguing that its leaders had protested against the Hungarian government’s border protection measures “with the leaders of Soros organisations” at the southern border.

As regards the leader of radical nationalist Jobbik, Hidvéghi said “we’re used to hearing Gábor Vona deny everything he says within a day for money and power”, arguing that Jobbik had become a “completely unreliable” political player.

Answering a question, Hidvéghi said his party was counting on the possibility of violent street protests over the course of the autumn campaign period. He said there had been numerous examples of violent protests in central and eastern Europe by “self-declared civil groups who actually serve Soros”.

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