Will Hungarians vote about leaving the EU soon?
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Opposition Jobbik has initiated a referendum aimed at prohibiting parliament from approving a decision that could lead to Hungary’s exit from the European Union.
The referendum question, submitted by Jobbik leader and a Non-attached member of the European Parliament (NI) Márton Gyöngyösi as a private individual, reads: “Do you agree that parliament should not be allowed to support a proposal or motion that could result in Hungary leaving the European Union?”
The will of the people is crucial when it comes to an issue of this magnitude, which can only be expressed through a referendum, Gyöngyösi told a press conference before submitting his question to the National Election Committee on Monday.
He said that while Hungary’s constitution prohibits holding referendums on matters concerning obligations arising from international treaties, the government “with its two-thirds parliamentary majority could lead the country out of the EU at any time”.
Gyöngyösi noted that his party had said during the 2019 European parliamentary election campaign that the stakes of that ballot would be whether Hungarians would allow “[Prime Minister] Viktor Orbán to drive Hungary out of the European Union”.
Though this view was not taken seriously even by the other opposition parties “the prime minister’s recent speech in Baile Tusnad makes it totally clear that this is his goal”, Gyöngyösi insisted.
Disclaimer: the sole liability for the opinions stated rests with the author(s). These opinions do not necessarily reflect the official position of the European Parliament.
Perilous – if by a referendum process, the citizens of Hungary, voted to leave the European Union.
Its beyond POSSIBILITY – that this present DICTATORIAL led Government, under the Fidesz Party Leader, and present Prime Minister of Hungary – Victor Orban – to resurrect – the brand name of Hungary, to a status CREDITABILITY & Respectability – of membership, in the European Union.
The “Brand” name of Hungary has been Tarnished, Damaged & Ravaged criminally de-faced, by the Fidesz Party & Government of Hungary, for decades, under its Leader and present Prime Minister of Hungary – Victor Orban.
“You made your bed Sir – for You and Hungary – now You must Lie in it”.
Does this muchly sum up what Victor Orban has ORCHESTRATED – DIRECTED and played out – in what our reputation & position is – in the European Union ???
The “Olive Branch” – “Reconciliation” or a “Mea Culpa” process – the deepness of DAMAGE inflicted by Victor Orban under the name of Hungary – on the European Union – Deplorable.
Hungarians – the choices they HAVE – are extremely limited to gain – Respect & Credability going forward in the European Union.
The process or a VITAL starting point NEEDS to be the removal of the name – the present Prime Minister of Hungary – Victor Orban.
Absolutely ridiculous. Are they insane. Brexit has not worked. It’s a complete failure whatever the government says. Most people want back in as they realise the campaign to leave was based on lies.
It’s not about independence or sovereignty, Hungary’s not rich like Switzerland, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein. This country of 10 million people is nothing on its own, unless of course we become part of China or Russia.
Whether Hungary stays in the EU or leaves it is the right of Hungarian people to decide. Membership in the EU has not been anything but a headache. The EU does not respect the sovereignty of Hungary and tries to interfere in internal affairs. Since the EU stopped transferring money, even money earmarked for Ukrainian refugees, there is no advantage of staying in the EU.
If it will occur, Hungary will return 100 years back within 5 years. Look at the U. K…. ONE OF THE SADDEST PLACES IN THE WORLD.
@Anonymous, spot on. Brexit is wrecking the UK economy with 4% drop in GDP, exports down by a conservative estimate of 20% and hundreds of UK firms relocating or setting up facilities within the EU, particularly in The Netherlands and France. All this for what? A blue passport (made by a French company at their factory in Poland) and the ability to sell more powerful vacuum cleaners?
The way I see it, is that the people of Hungary decide NOTHING – except who is elected to parliament. From then on, I fear, that most decisions are in the hands of Pm V.O. – all elected Fidesz parliamentarians tow his line, and if some do not, they know where the sin-bin is.
By suggesting that Hungary gave up it’s sovereignity because of being in the EU, it is ALSO suggested that so has France, Germany, The Netherlands and the other EU countries. Let’s get real!
Hungary needs EU money, or it’s back to pre-1989 days of austerity, or, like someone here suggested, getting in bed with X.J and V.P.
There ARE reasons (very good reasons!) why some EU funds are put on hold. When the said country meets those requirements, the monies will keep on flowing, oops, I mean they’ll continue to be internally diverted in some other manner. 😀
Whether there would/could or would/could not, be a referendum innitiated by some opposition factions or not, it’s still common knowledge (even to people who are vaguely informed about Hungary) that the MAJORITY of the people of Hungary prefer to be a member country of the EU. The Pm is well aware of what would follow if he were to innitiate an HuXit, unless of course, he were to change the constitution so that he could become Pm for life.
Some interesting comments but first, is Jobbik trying to commit suicide? Anyone on the Right who does not support Fidesz cannot possibly support Jobbik now they have gone globalist poodles! Mi Hazank will continue to increase their support.
Second, being a Brexit hardliner, I am interested to know why so many comments are negative to UK.
Leaving economics for another comment Brexit enabled UK to move quickly on the covid vaccine.
It allowed UK to do its own sanctions on Ukraine. I am not saying that I agree with sanction or the vaccine but the important point is that UK could act alone without listening to Macron, Rutte and Dragi!
Regarding the economic situation for UK following Brexit it is not a simple matter of looking at a bad economic statistic and blaming it on Brexit. That’s what politicians do, not thinking adults.
The whole world is in recession now, inflation is at high levels everywhere. There are fuel shortages and there may be food shortages soon. There is a European war ongoing and the Americans are now provoking China the same way as they provoked Russia.
For the things listed above I do not think Brexit has caused any of that! The question is whether Brexit has made the economy worse for UK.
Exports to EU are down but sanctions has caused exports to Russia to crash as well. The Covid lockdown caused huge damage to the economy. Add to that a government in UK with a crazy Indian Finance Minister who has acted like a socialist I am surprised things are not even worse.
Even if you believe Brexit has made things worse for the British economy it is only a tiny part of the trouble our Govt has done to ourselves. And going back in is DEFINITELY not the answer!
That is precisely what the surely overwhelming majority of EU citizens is wishing for, that Orbánistan leaves the Union. So that we can finally get rid of an irrelevant ( 1 / 50 of the Union ) yet expensive to taxpayers, troublemaking, illiberal member, Putin’s Trojan Horse, a shameful quasi-dictatorship that does not respect any of the principles upon which the EU is based. Nobody in the EU shall be missing Orbánistan.
Gee, since most people feel Hungary does not belong in the EU, not surprised that Hungarians are not EU enthusiast. Yet, over 1000 US companies, over 7,000 companies are located in Hungary. Foreign companies operating in the EU make a profit, otherwise, they would be located elsewhere. EU members blame Hungary for not giving up US gas supply. Gas supply would cripple the economy and reduce foreign companies profit.
There is or was a reason why the EU accepted Hungary, it always had to do with money.
@mariavontheresa – let’s see what US MNCs will do when the US follows through with it’s intent to terminate the 1979 US-Hungary tax treaty (and the 2010 one still in the doldrums). Then there’s the perceived political risk. Comes up in EVERY MEETING with a foreign company investing or thinking of investing in Hungary (much less of the latter, of late – HIPA fights an uphill battle). Whether it’s the rule by decree situation, the incessant EU conflicts, unfortunate “we don’t want to be a mixed race” comments and CPAC grandstanding or perceived corrupt practices. I just respond that we’re “politically stable”… Any suggestions appreciated!
The EU is not only about politics but also about globalists making money. Many factories are located in Hungary because of an educated workforce. Hungary does not graduate hundreds of students in gender studies. Germany, to this date, still wants to increase its labor force. This is unusual because Germany because there are over 2 million refugees, legal and illegal migrant accepted in the past 7 years. It seem, new residents of Germany are mostly uneducated, untrained or unwilling to enter the German labor force.
Brexit has been a total disaster for the UK. Orban may not like the EU and what it stands for, like democracy and human rights, but he sure wants to get his greedy paws on that lovely load of free cash.
Brexit has been a catastrophe. Hungary may not like certain aspects of the EU, such as democracy and human rights, but it sure wants the shedloads of free money.
@mariavontheresa: An educated work force? Less and less, I´d say. I´ve been teaching university abroad for years. And at ELTE for 6 years. Same type of faculty. What I experienced in Budapest was, well, at best mediocre. And ever sine I stopped teaching a good 10 years ago (because teaching doesn´t pay your bills in Hungary!!) I´ve stayed in contact with academia. The situation as further deterioated. Futhermore, had three kids in public school in good neighbourhoods in Budapest. Great conditions for good schooling. But schooling was at best, again, mediocre (apart from a few extremely dedicated and wonderful teachers permanently close to burn-out, trying to cover the up huge lacks in the education system at such). Around 4th. grade, all topics turned bad. We had to take out our kids from public education. even if I truly believe in welfare states and public services in health-care and education. I simply couldn´t defend my choice of school towards my kids. Since then, allegedly, primary school level went down dramatically and became less and less children centric, thereby demotivating and alienating the kids. The old idea about the “very well-educated Hungarians” is slowly turning out to be much just as much of a myth as the idea of the Hungarian hospitality towards foreigners. Willingness to change starts by letting go of preconceptions like that, recognizing the (sad) state of things. The price will be a loss of pride that you can´t anyhow use for anything. And the potential to change, which you (at least in the present situation) seems pretty useful. Well, for what it´s worth, this is just my experiences and opinion.
@Tom S. L.
Your experience underscores what I also knew to be fact.
It’s sad, and very unfortunate, that children of a country with such a wealth of potential to achieve what some of their 20th century (and earlier) countrymen did, are today unable to realise their full potential because of this particular government’s attitude towards the whole of the education system.
As the old adage goes, you reap what you sow.
Ps. Makes me shudder to think that the present government might be grooming the children of today to be future die-hard supporters.
@Tom S. L. Your experience underscores what I also knew to be fact. It’s sad, and very unfortunate, that children of a country with such a wealth of potential to achieve what some of their 20th century (and earlier) countrymen did, are today unable to realise their full potential because of this particular government’s attitude towards the whole of the education system. As the old adage goes, you reap what you sow. Ps. Makes me shudder to think that the present government might be grooming the children of today to be future die-hard supporters.