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Former Hungarian PM: The Orbán government is planning for a long-term exit from the EU
Hungary’s potential withdrawal from the European Union is part of the Orbán government’s long-term strategy, according to former prime minister Gordon Bajnai. Speaking in an interview with HVG, Bajnai said that while the ruling party currently lacks both the public support and the economic roadmap needed for such a move, the political direction clearly points towards an eventual exit.
Bajnai: Orbán aims to exploit EU membership first
According to Bajnai, the government is preparing to lead Hungary out of the EU “at a suitable moment”. Until then, it is seeking to extract as much benefit as possible from EU membership while simultaneously weakening the Union’s institutional framework. He added that although criticism of the EU can be justified and necessary, it must always be accompanied by a crucial question: what would happen to Hungary outside the EU?
In Bajnai’s view, Hungary’s national interests can be far more effectively represented within European frameworks than beyond them.
He sees the NER as politically successful
Bajnai described the System of National Cooperation (NER) as politically successful, pointing out that Fidesz has won four consecutive elections. However, he stressed that this success has come “at the cost of pushing the country into long-term decline”, as quoted by 444.hu.
Based on objective indicators, Bajnai believes Hungary has underperformed relative to its potential. Many EU countries that joined at the same time as Hungary (or even later) have caught up with or overtaken it in terms of economic growth, corruption indicators and the absorption of EU funds.
The system is not sustainable within the EU
Bajnai emphasised that in these countries, sovereignty has not diminished, migration problems have not worsened, and in many cases, emigration has reversed. Economic growth has been faster, and state institutions function more efficiently.
All this, he argued, suggests that the system built under the NER is not sustainable in the long run within the European Union, which is why the government may be factoring in a future exit.
The stakes are far higher than in a normal democracy
Speaking about the upcoming elections, Bajnai said the stakes for the NER elite are far higher than in a “normal democracy”. He claimed that in Hungary, a single ruling party has effectively captured state institutions and large parts of the economy. As a result, an electoral defeat would not merely mean a change of government, but a change of regime.
For those who have accumulated significant wealth within this highly centralised system, such a shift would pose serious risks. Consequently, both the political struggle and the period following the elections could be extremely intense.
Two opposing forces are needed for change
Bajnai also addressed the opposition, saying that defeating Fidesz in individual constituencies is only possible if two clear political forces face each other. For social reconciliation, he believes it is essential to confront past decisions, clarify questions of responsibility, and then formulate a shared national foundation.
While he acknowledged that rational, fact-based politics is currently at a disadvantage compared to divisive populism, Bajnai argued that populism is ultimately doomed to fail. In his view, Hungary too may eventually enter a more sober and clear-headed political era.
Why should Orban not maximise what he can get from EU? Every country does this!
I also want to point out that the EU of 2016 was infinite stronger, more prosperous and safer than the EU of 2026! UK saw the coming decline and got out.
It must now be considered that EU may NOT survive much longer. The only people now benefiting from EU are NGOs, gender freaks, climate change nutcases and beaucrats
Very good point, Bruce.
Of course, to understand the Liberals in Budapest, and why they complain so much against Hungary benefitting more from the EU than it supposedly receives, is just a part of their desire to hurl so much mud at the Orbán Administration that it cannot win elections.
It will not work, however, because to win elections in Hungary, The Budapest/Kun Béla Left has to figure out a way to talk to Hungarian smalltowners and Rednecks.
One thing, however, is clear : the Hungarian Left has figured this problem out.
Why is this so?
Because The Hungarian Left is filled full of people who hate their own kind.
In this way they are kin to the university-created Modern American Woke Liberal.
Any organism that extracts everything it can from a host while at the same time causes harm to the host is defined as a PARASITE.
‘Any organism that extracts everything it can from a host while at the same time causes harm to the host is defined as a PARASITE.’
In that case, Dear Larry, you have just proclaimed the EU a parasite – The King Parasite, or, in the case of Hungary, a would-be parasite, this because they are not going to get the better of Hungary with our beloved Viktor in charge…
I hope this note finds you in fine fettle’
There are many cities in ruins like Paris, Berlin, and Lisbon, but there are still many amazing, like Prague, Budapest, and Munich. The UK left Europe and is covered in debt and filled with Pakistanis and Bangladeshis. Europe is beautiful; it doesn’t need to be divided, it just needs to change the people who govern it. And besides, crime is unfortunately widespread worldwide; look at the statistics of the world’s most dangerous cities and you won’t find a single European city among the top 10.
‘The Orbán government is planning for a long-term exit from the EU…’
It would seems so, IF … he cannot succeed in reforming it from the inside.
To be clear, Bajnai is not taking into account Orbán Viktor’s style and preferences to ride the fence and work from within.
Orbán Viktor will not leave the party unless all possibilities to make it cheery are lost.
‘Bajnai argued that populism is ultimately doomed to fail. In his view, Hungary too may eventually enter a more sober and clear-headed political era…’
If the EU cancels it’s policies of White Replacement, the Sexualization of Children, and the criminal, and ruinously expensive, War against Russia, then, yes, I think Bajnai’s prediction has some basis to become reality.
If, however, Bruxelles continues on the same track, not only is Bajnai’s prediction utterly baseless, ‘Populism ‘ will continue it’s meteoric growth, and, in some places, might result in the top ministers of those governments receiving some variant of the Mussolini/Ceaușescu treatment.
To my mind : Bajnai is projecting here, based in his frustration to see Europe moving decisively against what he thinks is proper.
Bajnai is quite accurate in his description. The one thing Fidesz can’t sweep under the rug is the decline in Hungary relative to the other members of the EU. That is the definition of failure pure and simple. They spent the beginning of their regime blaming the previous government. After a number of years that doesn’t work anymore so you try to blame external enemies for your own problems. Fidesz has complete and through control over everything in Hungary including rule by decree for the past five years. There is no other government in the EU that so throughly holds responsiblity for its’ failure to make the lives of the people better.
Should read “thorough” and “thoroughly” .
A spelling error , Dear Larry?
Very suspicious!
Clearly you are from Vladivostok … or is that Novgorod?!?
‘The one thing Fidesz can’t sweep under the rug is the decline in Hungary relative to the other members of the EU…’
Well, Dear Larry, it would be difficult for Fidesz to sweep under the rug the Treaty of Trianon, the failure of Operation Barbarossa, and the unpleasant lingering side-effects.
Why not go further back and blame Genghis Khan. Dear Pretend American you are absolutely ridiculous when you know you don’t have a leg to stand on. “Operation Barbarossa”? Are you mad?
“Are you mad?’
No, dear Larry – if anger management issues rest with anyone on this blog, they rest with you, not me!
‘There is no other government in the EU that so thoroughly holds responsiblity for its’ failure to make the lives of the people better.’
If that is so, Dear Larry, then why are so many Westerners rushing to move to Hungary and Russia, as opposed to France, Germany, and England?
Again Dear Pretend American you are ridiculous. Anyone who works for a living leaves Hungary with Austria being the preferred destination. Anyone who has already made a living in the West has the option of buying cheaper real estate in Hungary to spend retirement years there. That’s how it works. As for rushing to move to Russia are you out of your mind? Hundreds of thousands of young Russians have fled because they don’t want anything to do with Putin’s war. Does anyone actually believe any of the nonsense you put out?
@Larry As a full-fledged left-liberal globalist, you politely forget to mention that hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians between the ages of 18 and 60 left their country and are now benefiting from social security in numerous EU countries! Children enjoy free education and numerous other benefits! In my country, Belgium, there are Ukrainian families with two children who earn up to €3,000 net each month without working! They don’t pay rent and live comfortably in social housing, while Belgian families have been on a waiting list for 10 years!I hope you understand that this is an untenable situation and is causing discontent among the Belgian population! Belgians are currently being asked to make enormous financial sacrifices because of the excessive waste of money by previous left-wing liberal governments! The story that Ukraine is currently fighting for our freedom is a big fat lie! The leaders in Kiev, and especially the comedian, want to prolong this war because it will further increase their own fortunes! Before the war started Ukraine was After Syria, Venezuela and North Korea, the most corrupt country on the corruption index! The fact that von der Leyen and her unelected, corrupt gang of bureaucrats continue to donate tens of billions of euros stinks more than the biggest cesspool! Time will tell why they do this! The comedian has just named the head of the Ukrainian secret service as his closest advisor! He is now trying to get US troops stationed in Ukraine! This is yet another attempt to prolong the war and torpedo the peace process! Meanwhile, the EU leadership and the foolish NATO secretary are busy scaring people with the message that Russia is preparing an attack on the Baltic States! Those who believe this nonsense are naive! All they want is for the citizens to become docile like a flock of sheep!
Unfortunately, Mon Cher Hugo – there are many tens of millions of Larrys in The West.
They see the world restrictively through the lies we have been fed for decades, and you cannot get them to contemplate that they have been hoodwinked.
Bon Soir!
@Hugo Wils
Heartfelt*Thank*You.
Finally a Voice of Reason.
You must be joking, Mouton. Tons of westerners heading to Hungary and Russia? In your dreams, mate.
I moved to Hungary from England, I then realised I’d made a mistake and moved back. I don’t regret my decision. Hungary is in a bad way and getting worse. As for Russia, only total nut jobs would move there from a western country.
One thing I noticed during my time in Hungary is that only westerners of pensionable age moved to Hungary, clearly motivated to do so by a lower cost of living and even then they were so rare as to be somewhat of a local celebrity. I didn’t meet a single westerner of working age beyond a handful of ‘expats’ seconded there by their employers on lavish packages for a temporary posting, mostly complaining at length and looking forward to being moved again.
I actually know someone who went to Russia to play in the KHL after he couldn’t get a spot on an NHL team. Any Russian who is talented meanwhile plays in the NHL. The joke about the KHL is that when you win someone shows up with a hockey bag filled with cash and they hand it out to the players. Other than that all you have is some migrant workers from desperately poor central Asian republics who go there and suffer terrible discrimination. What a shit-hole Russia is. They are completely incapable of existing as a democracy and the brutality of the regime is endless.
Dear London – a couple of hundred thousand of Americans have moved to Hungary in recent years.
That does not include Germans and English, who have had it with their respective countries.
Budapest is crawling with folks, white folks, who do not speak Hungarian – and, no, they are not the tourist of which I speak.
As to Westerners moving to Russia, simply go to YouTube and enter the following searches…
Westerners moving to Russia
Western family moves to Russia
What it is like being a Western in Russia.
If you try to watch all these videos, you may get no sleep for months.
@Mouton
You are definitely a Russian troll or something. “A couple of hundred thousand of Americans”??? Hahaha! Good joke. Do you realize that Hungary’s population today is around 9.6m? That many Americans would be a HUGE impact on the country’s demography. It’s a ridiculus lie. The reality is that they might be less than 20k including the expats who do not plan to stay for long years.
Hungary maintains accurates figures of local residents along with their country of nationality. US residents in Hungary number a couple of thousand. There are more Brits but the numbers are in the same realm, about 6-7000. These are paltry figures. In comparison, during the last UK census about 90,000 Hungarians were recorded as living in the UK and this is almost certainly an undercount as many will have since become naturalised British citizens due to the length of time they’ve been living there so they then fall into the category of British citizens (although they can separately identify as ethnically Hungarian in the census questions).
Mouton’s comments about hundreds of thousands is pure fantasy. If you’re not retired, why would a working age US national move to a country with salaries one fifth of those in the US and with an impenetrable language that if you cannot speak fluently your job prospects are extremely limited? Even in central Budapest you don’t hear a great many Americans conversing and those that you do are quite obviously mostly tourists.
Thank you for your reply.
I very respectfully submit that your country has at lke4ast a couple of hundred thousands of foreign Westerners living in it.
They start going there years ago – to live in a stabile place that allows their pensions to go much further (currency exchange rate)
However, in the past 10 years, many many Westerners have gone to Hungary for political and cultural reasons.
Hungary, though small, is seen as a safe haven by untold tens of millions of Westerns.
“Hungary maintains accurates figures of local residents along with their country of nationality”
Your understanding, Dear Steve, about how many Westerners have fled to both Russia and Hungary is incorrect.
You are not well-informed about either country.
Moreover, your believe that any government would accurately report immigrant figures to it’s own people is wildly fantastical – like something out of Tolkien.
In any case, Happy New Year!
Anyone with a hint of commonsense, bar leftists, would now have realised that the EU is nothing but marxist socialism by the backdoor! The only thing that’s surprising is that the former Eastern block countries that have suffered the most under marxist socialism have stayed with it for so long!
To call the EU marxist socialist is completely ridiculous. On the other hand many of Fidesz’ own policies can easily be described as socialist such as giving preferential loans to families who promise to have three children or subsidizing utitlity rates with taxpayer money. That is socialism. Maybe Fidesz is more National Socialist rather than Marxist Socialist? Of course Hungary doesn’t dare leave the EU because it gets so much in the way of benefits by being a member yet ideological extremists want to take the benefits and work against it at the same time like common parasites. There are always whiners around and the EU can benefit from some improvements. The bottom-line is that having the EU is always better than not having it and its’ policies are the democratic outcome of the collective membership. If anyone doesn’t like it just leave.
@Larry To survive her final vote of confidence in the EP, Von der Leyen had to appeal to the left and green groups in the European Parliament! She even received the support of the communists! This fraction includes former SED (Socialistische Einheidspartei Deutschland) politicians who were in charge in the former GDR (East Germany).These scumbags had their own people shot by VOPOS (Volkspolizei) trying to reach the West! Some were even Stasi informants! So, to survive politically, Von der Leyen called on former Marxists/communists! You need to inform yourself better Larry!?
I think Larry has some merit in his views, Dear Hugo.
The EU is not communist, in that it does not run gulags or have secret police torturing the masses in dark chambers.
That said, I do agree with you they, The EU, are the antithesis of the very thing they declare Hungary is not – democrats or followers of ‘The Rule of Law’.
No, they pretty much do want they want, whenever they want it, with European money and resources.
Probably the best way to see those who run things from Bruxelles are ‘Les Arrogantistes’
I totally agree with you Johnny. The EU is a Marxist entity with an unelected Politburo (The E.U. Commission) Very similar to what was in charge of The Soviet Union. Larry is blinded by his public school brainwashing back home in his country , The USA. You just have to ignore Larry and his ilk. They cannot help themselves with their pro globalist, Pro E.U worship and their vehement Orban Derangement Syndrome.
Yes, Derrick, our Dear Larry grew up in the greatest mind-control system the world has yet witnessed.
I grew up in it, too, but, as the Internet took off, and I had the chance to develop reliable truth-telling source in different countries, I was forced to reassess many of my views.
Many Americans, of our generation, have done exactly this. Many others have not.
Admittedly, it is hard to admit that you have been taken for a fool, but, in my case, I did not blame myself for it.
I was not the one who lied.
So, in middle age, I began again.
Glad I did.
The EU was great in concept, but it’s demise, after European peoples have experienced its reality for decades, would be even greater! Only leftist (marxist) libtards and globalist corporates would lament its passing!
Yes, Dear Johnny – the EU is like so many girls you might contemplate as lovers … great in theory, not so much in reality.
What is more suprising is that the Hungarian population, after many decades under Russian rule and 1956 would be behind Orban who is obviously in the pocket of Russia.
IF Russia were still the Soviet Union, Dear Even More, then yes, it would be ‘surprising’ that Hungary would be friends with Russia, BUT … as this Russia is NOT the Soviet Union, but, rather, an incarnation of traditional czarist Russia, (Czar Vlad, Orthodoxy, Autocracy, and a Free Market) it is not surprising.
Hungary may not have to formally leave the E.U. The E.U. is well on the way to self dissolution. Frau Ursula Fond of Lying and the E.U. Commission have driven the E.U. into a wall with all of their Russo phobic warmongering that is wrecking the economies of all the E.U. members. There is a very real possibility that the Euro will collapse due to all the money printing to fund the Ukraine War.
I would also expect to see the US Dollar collapse at the same time. Certainly in the next 2 years.
Yes, Dear Derrick – I do not think that the EU is going to last, BUT … if it does, it will be so reformed that it will stun people.
One thing is for sure – the current situation has made so many people unhappy, the situation cannot go on long as it is.
WOW Mouton!
impressive ! write me an email to this mech.blu.project@gmail.com and I will be more than happy to examine your truth of where you live, learning Hungarian for the last 6 years!, speaking Spanish fluently as well as Russian!
if you may dare to do so!
Thank you for the invitation and your kind comment, Dear Rádzs.