Hungarian government says National Consultation was a success: but was it?

The government has processed the results of the latest National Consultation public survey and found that the more than 1.5 million respondents “overwhelmingly supported” Hungary’s national sovereignty, the government spokeswoman said on Thursday.

Over 98 percent of respondents favoured a ceasefire and peace in Ukraine over weapons deliveries, Alexandra Szentkirályi said in a video on Facebook. Respondents also opposed the establishment of “migrant ghettos” in Hungary and said child protection regulations should be tightened. They also expressed support for Hungarian farmers and the agriculture sector’s GMO-free status, she said, adding that respondents also wanted stronger steps taken against foreign influence.

More than 98 percent of respondents said the caps on household utility bills should be kept in place and that the freeze on interest rates should be extended to this year, Szentkirályi said. Close to 98 percent supported maintaining taxes on excessive corporate profits.

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Was this truly a success?

Originally planned for 7 weeks, the campaign was extended by one week to 17 January 2024 due to the relatively low response. Out of more than 8 million people eligible to fill in the questionnaire, only 1.5 million returned it. In protest against the government’s demagogic propaganda and in favour of dialogue on real issues, aHang, the Egységes Diákfront (United Student Front) and the Szikra Mozgalom (Spark Movement) are collecting blank questionnaires until the end of January.