On a recent radio programme on Thursday, 4 January, Barna Pál Zsigmond, the Parliamentary State Secretary for European Union Affairs, criticized Brussels for making poor decisions, and mishandling the migration crisis and warfare. According to him, the European Commission’s decisions are flawed, the European Council is predominantly led by centre-left leaders, and the liberal side of the European Parliament makes irresponsible statements while being preoccupied with their corruption scandals.
He expressed concerns over the slow progress in holding representatives accountable for misusing hundreds of thousands of euros. He also highlighted contradictory reports and voting patterns of these representatives against Hungary in the European Parliament, juxtaposed with the Commission withholding funds due to Hungary for what he described as ‘fabricated reasons.’
The State Secretary emphasized that a crucial goal of Hungary’s upcoming six-month presidency, starting on 1 July, is to restore the EU’s global competitiveness, particularly against the United States and Asia, while properly managing migration.
Hungary’s approach advocates allowing only those entitled to protection into Europe, diverging from the EU’s practice of admitting migrants first and then examining rheir eligibility, often unsuccessfully attempting deportations thereafter. Addressing the query about the potential withdrawal of Hungary’s presidency, he firmly responded in the negative, asserting Hungary’s confirmed position as the rotating president for the second half of 2024.
He went on to underscore the reliance of Hungarians on themselves and
recalled the excellence of Hungary’s presidency in 2011, expressing confidence in the country’s preparedness once again.
Secretary Zsigmond expressed hope that the European direction would improve following the European Parliament elections on 9 June. In discussing the impact of war-related sanctions on Europe’s competitiveness, he attributed the decline to the lack of long-term strategic visions within the Brussels elite. He also criticized their persistence in advocating poor decisions on migration.
The significance of the 9 June European Parliament elections was highlighted by the state secretary, framing it as pivotal to Europe’s future. He called for a return to the vision of the founding fathers, envisioning a Europe of nation states. Honest dialogue, especially on issues like war and migration, was emphasized as essential to achieving this goal. Zsigmond acknowledged that not all countries are as fortunate as Hungary, citing a ‘liberal opinion terror.’ However, he expressed optimism that the voice of the Hungarian people could potentially shift the political landscape towards a right-wing majority in Europe after the 9 June elections.
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Source: Hungarian Conservative/MTI
