Hungary under Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s rule has become “the poorest and most corrupt country in the European Union,” the country’s main opposition leader has said.
MEP Péter Magyar, who is president of Hungary’s opposition Respect and Freedom (Tisza) Party, hit out at the Hungarian leader during a session of the European Parliament on Wednesday.
Addressing Orbán directly, Magyar said: “I’m happy that at least here, on behalf of the opposition and millions of Hungarians, I can ask you questions.
“I hope that now you can explain to Hungarians how Hungary has gone from being a bright star to what is officially the poorest and most corrupt country in the European Union.”
Magyar highlighted the stark contrast between Hungary’s past and present, describing Orbán’s nearly 14 years of rule as an era of “missed opportunities.”
He said: “For 14 years, you have been leading our country with an unrestricted mandate. You had all the opportunities to make Hungary a land of kept promises.”
He added that despite Orbán’s eurosceptic stance and his talks of economic neutrality, most Hungarians remain firmly entrenched in the western camp.
“The overwhelming majority of Hungarians voted in favor of joining NATO and the EU.
“…if there were a referendum today, they would do the same…we are members of the European and Western club, even if you [Orbán] want to fantasize about economic neutrality.”
Magyar also criticized the Hungarian prime minister for talking about changing the global system rather than solving the real problems of Hungarian people.
Turning to the war in Ukraine, Magyar said that both Hungary and Brussels need to work towards a ceasefire, but that does not mean that Ukraine should not be supported in its fight for territorial sovereignty.
Addressing Orbán directly, Magyar said: “I’m happy that at least here, on behalf of the opposition and millions of Hungarians, I can ask you questions.
“I hope that now you can explain to Hungarians how Hungary has gone from being a bright star to what is officially the poorest and most corrupt country in the European Union.”
Magyar highlighted the stark contrast between Hungary’s past and present, describing Orbán’s nearly 14 years of rule as an era of “missed opportunities.”
He said: “For 14 years, you have been leading our country with an unrestricted mandate. You had all the opportunities to make Hungary a land of kept promises.”
He added that despite Orbán’s eurosceptic stance and his talks of economic neutrality, most Hungarians remain firmly entrenched in the western camp.
“The overwhelming majority of Hungarians voted in favor of joining NATO and the EU.
“…if there were a referendum today, they would do the same…we are members of the European and Western club, even if you [Orbán] want to fantasize about economic neutrality.”
Magyar also criticized the Hungarian prime minister for talking about changing the global system rather than solving the real problems of Hungarian people.
Turning to the war in Ukraine, Magyar said that both Hungary and Brussels need to work towards a ceasefire, but that does not mean that Ukraine should not be supported in its fight for territorial sovereignty.
Orbán’s ‘end is nigh’
Magyar warned that Hungary is moving toward a ‘demographic catastrophe,’ adding: “We haven’t seen so few babies born in Hungary in 60 years.
“Tens of thousands of Hungarian children are now born in London, Paris, Vienna or Brussels.
“Rather than working to bring hundreds of thousands of Hungarians back home, you [Orbán] decided to bring in 60,000 Asian migrants without asking the Hungarian people.”
He added: “The end is nigh… the sea has revolted. Whatever you threaten, millions of Hungarians, brick by brick, step by step, will take back our home, and we will build a peaceful, European, and livable Hungary.”
Madgar concluded his address with the words of Pope John Paul II: “We should not give up hope, we should not doubt, we should not become tired, we should not lose our courage. Do not be afraid.
“Prime minister, we are not afraid, and we are working to achieve our goals.”
Magyar warned that Hungary is moving toward a ‘demographic catastrophe,’ adding: “We haven’t seen so few babies born in Hungary in 60 years.
“Tens of thousands of Hungarian children are now born in London, Paris, Vienna or Brussels.
“Rather than working to bring hundreds of thousands of Hungarians back home, you [Orbán] decided to bring in 60,000 Asian migrants without asking the Hungarian people.”
He added: “The end is nigh… the sea has revolted. Whatever you threaten, millions of Hungarians, brick by brick, step by step, will take back our home, and we will build a peaceful, European, and livable Hungary.”
Madgar concluded his address with the words of Pope John Paul II: “We should not give up hope, we should not doubt, we should not become tired, we should not lose our courage. Do not be afraid.
“Prime minister, we are not afraid, and we are working to achieve our goals.”
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