Local Opinion: Orbán Rejects EU Pressure

  • 14 Sep 2018 7:52 AM
  • BudaPost
Local Opinion: Orbán Rejects EU Pressure
After the Hungarian Prime Minister told the European Parliament that he will not yield to what he called ‘blackmail’, commentators weigh the pros and the cons of voting for or against the Sargentini report.

On Mérce, Bálint Misetics lambasts those Hungarian MEPs who reject the Sargentini report on the state of the EU values in Hungary. Although he admits that the report contains several factual mistakes, he agrees nevertheless, with its ‘cautious’ main statement that those values are in ‘jeopardy’.

He accuses those Hungarian MEPs who refuse to support the Sargentini report, especially Tamás Meszerics of the LMP, of being prompted to do so by fear of ‘the terror press’ within Hungary.

On Azonnali, LMP MP Péter Ungár takes up the defence of his colleague and suggests that the opposition should stop behaving like ‘the local salesmen’ of the EU leadership. Hungarians are unlikely to support the idea that more power should be given to those European leaders who have proven to be incapable of taking decisions in times of crisis, he argues.

He concludes therefore that as long as the opposition frames the stakes within Hungary as a choice between ‘Orbán or Europe’, Orbán’s victory is guaranteed.

In a short comment on his Facebook page, political scientist Gábor Török predicts that after some of his closest allies within the European Peoples Party decided to support the Sargentini report, Mr Orbán can no longer remain within that Christian Democratic group – nor will he want to. He will move towards his new allies on the radical right, Török opines.

This opinion does not necessarily represent the views of XpatLoop.com or the publisher. Your opinions are welcome too - for editorial review before possible publication online Click here to Share Your Story 

MTI Photo: PM's Press Office: Szecsődi Balázs

  • How does this content make you feel?

XpatLoop Media Partner

BudaPost

Launched in May 2011 to provide a balanced picture of matters covered in Hungary’s national press. Their aim is to make it easier for English-speakers to understand where this country is now and where it’s heading according to the full spectrum of media opinions.

Explore More Reports

  • Contingency Plan in Place If Gas Deliveries to Hungary Stop

    Contingency Plan in Place If Gas Deliveries to Hungary Stop

    • 14 Jul 2022 11:20 AM

    Ruling Fidesz and Christian Democrat MEPs on Wednesday dismissed a draft report by the European Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) “condemning Hungary” as “a lie”.