PM Orbán launches new campaign targeting guest workers: Echoes of 2004 anti-migrant rhetoric

In 2004, the leftist-liberal Gyurcsány cabinet encouraged all Hungarians to vote against the introduction of dual citizenship. They argued that if Hungary granted dual citizenship to ethnic Hungarians living abroad, millions would move to Hungary to live and work, and the Hungarian state would collapse under the strain. Now, the Orbán cabinet is stirring basic existential fears by claiming that Ukraine’s accession to the EU would collapse Hungary’s economy and allow millions of Ukrainians to enter the country to work, access healthcare, claim pensions, and so on.

An old threat: 23 million Romanian guest workers

During the first Orbán cabinet (1998–2002), the Hungarian Prime Minister reached a compromise with Romanian PM Adrian Năstase regarding the employment of Romanian nationals (including ethnic Hungarians) in Hungary. The agreement allowed them to work in Hungary for three months, provided they obtained the necessary permits. The Socialist Party, which defeated Orbán in the 2002 election, warned that the deal could allow 23 million Romanians to flood the Hungarian labour market and displace local workers.

In 2004, the World Federation of Hungarians initiated a referendum on granting dual citizenship to ethnic Hungarians living abroad. The socio-liberal government campaigned for a “No” vote, while Fidesz supported a “Yes.” The Socialists launched a billboard campaign and distributed flyers claiming that Hungarian taxpayers would face increased burdens if ethnic Hungarians abroad gained citizenship and that local jobs would be lost to those willing to work for lower wages.

Although the 2004 referendum was declared invalid due to low turnout, a slight majority (51.55%) voted in favour of dual citizenship.

Orbán cabinet launches referendum on Ukraine’s EU membership

The Hungarian government has now launched a referendum concerning Ukraine’s potential EU membership, urging citizens to consider the economic difficulties such an accession could bring. The Orbán cabinet claims that following EU accession, Ukrainians would arrive en masse to work in Hungary. Additionally, Ukrainian pensioners would allegedly become entitled to Hungarian pensions, necessitating the removal of the 13th-month pension.

The government also warns that Ukrainian agricultural products — including genetically modified organisms (GMOs) — would dominate European markets, pushing out Hungarian farmers. Furthermore, it argues that Hungary would lose out on EU funds, as Kyiv would begin to receive them instead.

Although Orbán previously supported Ukraine’s EU membership — particularly after the Russian invasion — he now argues that such a move is unrealistic in the short term. He suggests that Ukraine may one day become an EU member state, but not by 2030, as proposed by Ursula von der Leyen’s European Commission.

Meanwhile, Orbán’s Fidesz party is attempting to convince voters that his main challenger, Péter Magyar and his Tisza Party, support fast-tracking Ukraine’s EU accession. However, Magyar has stated that he and his party did not attend the European People’s Party summit in Valencia, where the resolution on fast-tracking was adopted. Tisza also added that, had they been present, they would not have signed the resolution.

• President Zelensky outraged at PM Orbán and warns of dangerous actions – Responses from FM Szijjártó and Tisza

Guest workers from Ukraine would not stop in Hungary

Despite the political rhetoric, the campaign about Ukrainian guest workers continues in Hungary, even though the Hungarian economy requires significant numbers of foreign employees. Although demand for guest workers is falling due to economic stagnation, tens of thousands of Ukrainians are still working in Hungary. Orbán justifies this by stating that at least they are Christians — unlike the (illegal) migrants arriving from Africa or the Middle East.

• A serious accusation from Hungarian expert: Guest workers could have brought a deadly virus to Hungary

Hungarian authorities frequently express pride in having accepted large numbers of Ukrainian refugees since the Russian invasion — quoting figures exceeding 11 million. However, most of these people did not intend to stay in Hungary. The vast majority had relatives and friends in Western or Central European countries such as Poland and Czechia, and continued their journey there.

Therefore, it can be argued that even if Ukraine were to join the EU, its workforce would not remain in Hungary.

Featured image: depositphotos.com