Referendum – Orbán expects ‘no’ votes to win referendum

Budapest, October 2 (MTI) – Prime Minister Viktor Orbán cast his vote in Hungary’s referendum on European Union migrant quotas on Sunday morning, and told reporters afterwards that it was crucial that ‘no’ votes should outnumber the ‘yes’ ones.

Orbán said he expected that outcome, and added that a victory of ‘no’ votes would provide “sufficient legitimacy” to parliament and the government, even if the referendum turns out to be invalid.

“A valid referendum is better than an invalid one, but there will be legislative consequences anyway, because we have pledged… to enact parliament’s exclusive authority to determine whom the Hungarians wish to live together with”, the prime minister said. “We will do that whether the referendum is valid or not”, he added. “There is just one condition: one more ‘no’ is needed than ‘yes’ votes”, he said.

Orbán did not exclude the possibility of a constitutional amendment, but suggested that this option would be of secondary importance to talks in Brussels aimed to ensure that “Hungary should not be obliged to accommodate people we do not want” and that the right of decision on such issues should be left with the country. “If the EU is a democratic community, it must accept the opinion of Hungarians,” he added.

Orbán said he was proud that Hungary is the first country to have a referendum on the subject and added he would welcome to see other countries follow suit.

The prime minister also proposed talks between the parliamentary parties concerning “the legal format of enacting the will of the people”.

Answering a question whether he would offer his resignation should ‘yes’ votes win, Orbán said “yes”.

Photos: MTI

Source: MTI