Steven N.Parliament voted 130-50 in support of a government-promoted “vision statement” on the European Union, which details how the Orbán regime imagines the future of the 27-member bloc, and positions they believe the Hungarian government should take in EU debates.
The vision statement reimagines the EU as taking the following steps:
- direct elections to the European Parliament would end in favor of national parliaments delegating representatives instead;
- national parliaments would have a veto over EU legislation;
- a joint army would be set up;
- the powers of the EU’s joint institutions would be curbed;
- the EU would be prohibited from borrowing money.
The statement also condemns the sanctions against Russia and offers support for the countries of the Western Balkans to draw closer to the EU.
The resolution also states that:
Parliament calls on the government to forward this resolution as the position of the Hungarian National Assembly on the future of Europe to the Presidents of the European Council, the European Parliament, and the European Commission, and to the current presidency of the Council of the European Union.
Most current plans underway in the EU, however, are completely contrary to the sentiments expressed in the vision statement, such as discussions on expanding the powers of the European Parliament, as well as limiting the veto power of Member States in the European Council. [Telex]
The usual wishful thinking from Fidesz.
Fidesz has a habit of re-drawing the maps when roads are longer than they are prepared for.
Let’s face it – Fidesz are EU street hustlers.
Orbán has been told that his economic policy – Providing cheap labor and tax-benefits for German auto industry while reaping EU subsidies, coupled with cheaper Russian energy – is in the final phase.
Now he tests Hungarian willingness to consider a Hunxit.
You may be right but it’s going to take a lot of effort to turn the public anti-EU. Years of “Stop Brussels” sloganeering haven’t done it.
I hope to be wrong, actually – about the Hungarian public’s continued willingness to accept the government propaganda, that is. Perhaps now, more people will dare to think that it’s possible to question the future of Fidesz’ politics without making themselves public enemies. Especially now when more skilled Hungarians look to the EU for worthwhile employment with great success. They will tell the folks at home that things aren’t nearly as bad as the home media say they are.
It seems reasonable to assume that Orbán’s one sided effort to strenghten all levels of Russo-Hungarian economic and political relations now causes more problems at home than Fidesz can safely manage, and much current propaganda simply serves as cosmetic damage-reduction without effect.