US sanctions against Minister Rogán: what do Hungarians think?

According to a survey conducted by the Publicus Institute on behalf of Népszava, the reason for the historic US sanctions and corruption against the Hungarian Minister Rogán is also plausible, according to the Hungarian public, and according to the majority, he should resign. It is also interesting to add that the Trump administration has not yet lifted it, although in theory, they are in close alliance with the Orbán government.

According to the official justification, Minister Rogán is being sanctioned because of his involvement in corruption in Hungary. In short, the ban means that Rogán will not be allowed to enter US territory, and his assets, if any, will be frozen. In addition, any organisation or company owned directly or indirectly by the sanctioned person to the extent of 50 percent or more will be blocked.

Eight out of ten Hungarians have heard that Antal Rogán was placed on the US sanctions list at the beginning of January, and 33 percent of Hungarians believe that the US accusations against the Minister of the Prime Minister’s Office are definitely true, while another 17 percent believe that they are probably true, the survey said.

The allegations against the minister were definitely not true according to 21 percent of respondents, 7 percent said they were probably not true, and 22 percent did not respond. 21 percent of pro-government voters also said the accusations could be true, compared to 77 percent of opposition voters and 43 percent of undecided voters, who said they were certain and likely to be true. Half of the respondents said it was “very likely” that other government officials were involved in corruption, with a further 19% saying it was “more likely”.

Only 15 percent of respondents said it was not at all or rather unlikely. 43 percent of respondents said the real reason was corruption, and only 26 percent said it was a political reason for Antal Rogán being on the sanctions list. A further 9 percent think that both are possible at the same time. 58 percent of people believe Antal Rogán should resign from his position in the government because of the allegations, compared to 21 percent of pro-government voters.

The survey also showed that more than two-thirds of people (72%) believe that the Hungarian government should investigate the accusations against Antal Rogán, an opinion shared by every second Fidesz voter. PM Orbán doesn’t want to hear about this, even though it would help his government politically and make him look better.

As we reported a few days earlier, the United States embassy in Budapest has removed statements by former ambassador David Pressman from its website, details HERE.

Also, as we published yesterday, new documentary digs deep into the wealth of Hungarian PM Orbán’s family. Watch the VIDEO with English subtitles here