Referendum – DK launches month-long ‘stay at home’ campaign

Budapest, August 29 (MTI) – The leftist opposition Democratic Coalition (DK) is launching its own month-long campaign in protest against the government’s referendum on the European Union’s migrant quotas, the party’s deputy leader told a press conference on Monday.

DK will put up 500 billboards and 100,000 smaller posters encouraging voters to stay away from the Oct. 2. referendum, Csaba Molnár said. DK will also launch a campaign over social media sites and tour the country, he said, adding that DK’s campaign is likely to cost 10 million forints (EUR 32,300).

The October referendum will be an “anti-EU, fake referendum” with a “fake question” whose only aim is to authorise the government to initiate Hungary’s exit from the EU, Molnár insisted, adding that DK wants voters to realise that staying away would be tantamount to voting for Hungary to remain an EU member.

In the referendum Hungarians will be asked: “Do you want to allow the European Union to mandate the resettlement of non-Hungarian citizens to Hungary without the approval of parliament?”

Molnár said the campaign will start with an event on a Danube boat, where DK leader Ferenc Gyurcsány will give a speech on Friday. It will have a London stretch in the second half of September. On the last day, Oct. 1. plans are to form a live chain around the Hungarian Parliament building, he said. The campaign’s main slogan is: “Stay at home, stay in Europe!,” he added.

Asked if there was any cooperation between opposition parties for the campaign period, Molnár said the Socialists and DK have agreed to activate each other’s support camps at their respective events on Oct. 1. and Oct. 2.

State secretary Csaba Dömötör said in response that the quota referendum was a national issue that stands above party politics. He called on DK to make it clear whether it opposes or supports Brussels’ migrant policy plans. DK has joined those who try to make the referendum invalid, even if the issue is crucial as Brussels is trying to move thousands of migrants to Hungary.

“A referendum is the best way to say no that endeavour”, the state secretary added.

Source: MTI