Next Hungarian president prepares for ideological cold war

“I am prepared to take action rather than gestures,” Katalin Novák, the ruling parties’ candidate for president said in an interview published by the weekly Mandiner on Thursday. “We must be prepared for an ideological cold war with freedom against licentiousness,” she said in her interview.

Novák called for “finding common areas to manifest the unity of the nation” and mentioned national pride, protection for families, promoting the national heritage and young talents as such areas. She also pledged to suspend her (ruling Fidesz) party membership once elected.

As president, Novák said she would strive for good neighbourly relations with other countries, adding that

“Hungary is a key player in cooperation between central European countries”.

Katalin Novák, the presidential candidate of Fidesz. Since the ruling parties have supermajority, she will probably be elected by the parliament in March. Photo: facebook.com/csaladesifjusag

Concerning the current situation, Novák said the coronavirus pandemic and inflation were the greatest challenges. She welcomed that “wages and family assistance have increased considerably” since 2010, but added that wage hikes should be continued especially in health and education. But in the long run “it is of paramount importance that

Hungary should stay a Hungarian country”,

she added.

On another subject, Novák called for vigilance because “in the West LGBTQ propaganda is targeting kindergartens and schools” and voiced agreement with a government-initiated referendum on the subject. “It is my conviction that parents should have the primary right to educate their children. Anyone influencing minors behind their back and contrary to their intentions is wrong,” Novák said.

Read also: Hungary’s next President announced what she will do in early 2022

Touching upon the election campaign, Novák said “social media has now become a part of everyday life … demanding more and more, becoming more and more aggressive and personal”.

“I have always avoided harming the human dignity of others and will continue to do so,”

she added.

As for environmental protection and sustainability, Novák said it was natural for her not to waste anything. In her childhood, she said “it was natural to use whatever we could and never throw away food”. “Sustainability starts with having a young generation to pass an environment-friendly attitude to. If there is no next generation, there is nobody to preserve the Earth for,” she said.

On the subject of the rule of law, Novák said that protecting the constitutional order was a presidential task irrespective of political affiliation. “I will not assist to toppling the rule of law,” she insisted.