Speeches

Dear Madam President, Dear Madam Prime Minister, Dear Minister, The responsibility of the Member State holding the rotating Presidency is enormous. Its primary task is to facilitate coordination between the Member States, even when we are talking about socialist governments. Already at the beginning of the Danish Presidency, you have taken politically-based positions, which are particularly threatening to my country, Hungary. I don't get it. Europe now needs peace, real competitiveness. You want to accelerating the accession of a country at war to the EU. The Hungarian people clearly said no to this. With this step, you would destroy European security, economy and agriculture, while blackmailing Hungary's freely elected government and its electorate. In 2015, Hungarians once said no to their threats, to their education, to illegal migration, to integration difficulties, to imported terrorism and anti-Semitism, to the atrophy of the majority language in our schools and institutions. This may be the way to Brussels, it may be your way, but we are not asking for it, just as we are not asking for it now, for education, for incitement to war and for the destruction of the European economy. I ask the Danish Presidency to respect the democratic decision of my compatriots, the Hungarian people.

Dear Madam President, Since the COVID-19 outbreak, European aviation has been facing an increasing number of problems. Cancellations, long delays, missing baggage and, in many cases, airline liability-averse, often cynical attitudes all over Europe. Our citizens often wait weeks or months for legitimate refunds. This practice is not only unfair, but also profoundly unfair. The experience is clear: the current regulatory frameworks are outdated and do not provide adequate protection for travellers in the digital era across Europe. We must ask ourselves, how can it happen that citizens of the 21st century are still forced to travel according to the rules of the 20th century? This situation is not worthy of the European Union, the pace of legislation is not reassuring, more than a decade has passed without any real progress in this area. We are in favour of a modern, passenger-friendly and predictable consumer protection, where the rules are not only formulated but also implemented.

Mr. President, please. One of the most important achievements of the European Union is our single internal market. However, the competitiveness of the Union is constantly declining and our global competitors are increasingly ahead of us. Excessive bureaucracy is hampering European businesses and especially producers, while success sectors are increasingly abandoning production on our continent. Our market is flooded with unsafe products of dubious origin and unhealthy agricultural products are pushing down our domestic producer prices. Instead of focusing on strengthening the single market and making it more efficient, decisions are now under threat to allow third countries to enter this already damaged single market. This is irresponsible and dangerous. Such a move could further increase economic instability and ultimately reduce the resources available to Member States. Honourable Members, this cannot remain the case.

Dear Mr President, We Hungarians know well the horrors of communism and the Arrow Cross dictatorship. Our ancestors and we remember how they deprived people of their freedom, their faith and their national identity. During the communist Arrow Cross dictatorship, political repression, forced labour camps, the secret police and the suppression of freedom of speech were commonplace. The government brutally suppressed all resistance. On the Day of the Righteous, we remember with respect all those who have sacrificed their lives in defence of human dignity and in the struggle for freedom. Unfortunately, we see that democratic values in Europe are still at risk. In some cases, we drift in the direction of arbitrariness. In Europe, elections are cancelled and politicians are banned from democratic elections. This day should therefore not only be a memory of the past, but also a warning. Europe can never again afford to drift in the direction of arbitrariness. We must fight for freedom, for justice, and defend what the victims of communism and fascism have tried to defend, national self-determination and genuine democracy.

My colleague has visited Hungary several times, perhaps for the last time at the event of the Tisza Party. May I remind you: In Poland, Constitutional Court rulings are ignored, fellow party members have taken over public television, MPs are arrested on the open street. On the basis of a statement by your representatives, I have printed it here, and you have received support from the same left-wing NGOs that have actively intervened in Hungarian domestic politics. I would like to ask you, is this why you are attacking the constitutional rights of Hungarian parents and children? Is this why you want to force NGOs spreading gender and transideology on Hungarian families? We protect our children!

Mr. President, please. The European Consumer Day is an opportunity to take stock of the current situation, the responsibility of the Brussels administration. We rightly expect the European Union to assert the protection of its 440 million citizens firmly and consistently. Instead, however, we see the internal market flooded with dubious products of uncertain origin, while being plagued by excessive bureaucracy in their own businesses. We need to build a Europe where regulation in the internal market is genuinely in the interests of citizens, not at the mercy of poor-quality products.

Madam President, I'm sorry. Family law issues are deeply rooted in the legal systems and social traditions of the Member States and it is therefore essential that EU legislation in this area respects the principle of subsidiarity. With this proposal, you want to crush with one foot the democratic decision of the Member States, our common treaties and the Fundamental Law of my country. It is not possible to regulate the issue of parenthood and parenthood at Community level, as advocated by my left-wing and liberal colleagues and NGOs. It is important to respect the cultural and legal traditions of the Member States. It is important that the European Union does not again exceed its competence and that the Member States are free to decide on family and parenthood matters. It is not Ursula von der Leyen who decides who is a parent in a Member State. Luckily for you.

Dear Mr President, Europe is lagging behind its American and Asian partners in developing strategic communication tools for the 21st century. Of course, we need to change that. This question, this idea, is clear. European left-wing decision-makers were not particularly interested in this House until Donald Trump was elected President of the United States of America. He eliminates left-wing media hegemony, which is partly financed with public money, public funding of political pressure organizations without electoral authority, lying to NGOs, and unilateral left-wing censorship of social media, including Facebook. It is feared that in this House, under European sovereignty, not the development of indispensable infrastructure and technology, but the evacuation of left-wing NGOs and dubiously funded media products, self-proclaimed sensors that despise democracy, would be financed.

Dear Mr President, Particular attention was paid to Mr Freund, who seemed to be a fortune-teller, but perhaps later. So the European economy is weakening, European decision-makers cannot find a solution to mass migration. Germany's left-wing federal government has also allowed millions of people into Europe. In Western Europe, in the complete absence of cultural integration, immigration is tearing societies apart. Europe is losing its global competitiveness. There is a terrible war going on in Ukraine. And what do we see today? In this House, an imperial posture is assumed by a left-wing pact elite. It's you. And for a newspaper article without a source, funded by George Soros, in the midst of the mud-throwing, he initiates a umpteenth debate on Hungary in this House. Yes, you are again. What's next? Do you read from your palms or do you pour fish blood over yourself? You think that you can divert the attention of the European people, but what you are doing is that Italy, Hungary, the Netherlands, the United States, and, I might say, they will suffer further defeats. Next time in Germany, in federal elections.

(Start of speech when microphone is switched off) ... gladly ask: Have you forgotten what democracy means? Donald Trump won a democratic election in the United States. Mr Kickl won a democratic election in Austria. Hopefully he will be able to establish and form a strong Austrian government. You are not a Democrat. You are insulting voters, you are insulting democracy, you are insulting democratic elections. Shame on you!

Dear Mr President, Today's leaders have isolated the European Union. Unfortunately, the EU economy is weak. Just think of the Draghi report. The Union cannot stand up for peace, stop migration and even support immigration, and it does not give European agriculture a perspective. For about a decade, every left-wing politician in the European Commission has been crying out for the 45th and 47th Presidents of the United States. US voters re-elected Donald Trump in a democratic election. We don't learn, they don't learn. They're not trying to reduce our isolation, they're continuing to attack our American friends by ignoring the will of the electorate, even though it's time to wake up. Donald Trump is just doing what he promised. Protect your country's borders. I know it's from the devil. It stops unrestrained illegal migration, curbs the toxic ideology that is poisoning society, and once again strengthens the American economy. Let's not isolate ourselves from the new American leadership, let's work together. For them, America comes first, and for us, our nation-states, through which Europe can be stronger.

Dear Madam President, Let's call things by name. The DSA in its current form can also serve as a tool for political censorship. Mark Zuckerberg also said that content was unilaterally censored at political request and under political pressure. Many in the United States have succumbed to pressure, but there the law does not prescribe censorship, and it seems that they have learned from their mistakes in the United States. Not so in Europe. I am afraid that in Europe the left is not learning, it is not learning again. But this DSA must be eliminated in this form. We do not need more officials in Europe who are censoring. Let's spend it on border protection, but they don't want to spend that much money on it. Freedom of expression and a level playing field must be ensured. This is the foundation of our democracy. Say no to political censorship.

Oh, Mr. President. The EU Digital Services Regulation is key. At the same time, it is essential that any such regulation also takes into account the fundamental right to freedom of expression. We cannot allow a distinction to be made between investigations on the basis of political influence, because regulation must and must remain impartial and transparent. The European Union is not a censor. Central restrictions on freedom of expression must be avoided in all circumstances. The European Commission's criticism of Elon Musk on digital regulation goes in the wrong direction. These attacks are not only about digital regulation, but can also be interpreted in a broader political context. Protecting freedom of expression and managing the digital space responsibly are not mutually exclusive, and one provides for the other. In a democratic society, both elements are necessary for citizens to be able to exercise their rights freely without being subjected to manipulation. Dear fellow Members, Every effort must be made to strike a balance between freedom and responsibility and to keep freedom of expression as a fundamental democratic value in mind at all times. Ensuring freedom of expression for the Union must be the basis for all our actions. And after I speak for the last time in this room this year, allow me to wish you all a blessed Christmas.

Dear Mr President, Product safety is an increasingly pressing issue in Europe, especially with the rapid growth of e-commerce. Let's be honest, today's market surveillance system is not efficient enough to keep pace with the challenges of the digital world. This lack of action poses a serious risk to the security of our citizens and threatens Europe's competitiveness in the long term. Due to the fast pace of e-commerce and cross-border sales, Member State authorities have a difficult task to control every single product. As a result, consumer safety is often at risk and faces challenges in maintaining regulatory transparency. The European Parliament can no longer block trilogue negotiations and start work. Start discussing proposals on product safety, including rules on toy safety. Let us not let the price of delay be the safety of European citizens or of our children. Let us take the necessary steps together so that Europe can continue to be a continent of innovation and safe products. To the members of the TISZA party present or not present, I would like to say that they should not be afraid if they ask a question in this House, it is possible to answer it in this room.

Dear Madam President, The internal market is the economic engine of the European Union. It faces serious challenges. While our competitors are well ahead of us in terms of innovation, digitalisation and technological developments, the EU is lagging behind. Why is that? Because the European Commission is not reacting in a timely and decisive manner to these international changes. The wrong approach to the green transition, the slowness and rigid regulation of bureaucracy are extremely hampering the ability of EU businesses and citizens to adapt quickly to the digital transition and the new requirements of global competition. Let's say: Our economy is on the road, energy prices are rising in Europe and businesses are suffering. The quality of services and services in the EU is declining. Europe is lagging behind in the digital race. This is particularly challenging for small and medium-sized enterprises. Our SMEs could also be viable on the global market if the EU were to effectively help them keep up with digitalisation and new requirements for sustainability. Stop the over-regulation. The future of the European Union is at stake. We need quick and effective action.

(beginning of speech when switched off microphone) ... obligated. I understand, but I still ask you the question: Why don't you deal with your green federal government? Why don't you question the mass and uncontrolled migration to Germany advocated by the Greens? Why don't you talk about the catastrophic energy transition – the Greens? Why don't you say why your green government threatens the once powerful German auto industry and cuts thousands of jobs? And don't tell me you're dealing with Europe. You are only concerned with my home country in this House. We've had enough! Their Greens flew out of the German state parliaments. They fly out of state parliaments. People have had enough of you. They are single-digit nationwide. Go home!

Thank you so much esteemed colleague, I want to raise a very short question. I just read that in 2023, your country, Spain, issued 92 401 and Portugal over 70 000 visas to Russian citizens. Are you afraid of that? Do you want to have a political debate here in this Chamber about this issue? Are you afraid that over 200 000 Russians got visas in France and more than that in Germany. Should we have a debate about that in this Chamber? So that's a very simple question.

Oh, Mr. President. The EU's Digital Services Act (DSA) is designed to ensure transparency on the internet. It regulates how to deal with illegal and harmful content on websites. However, what is harmful and dangerous, who decides? And that's a very important question. Unfortunately, as the first analyses and practical experience show, this legislation is not without its flaws. Among other things, the NGO sphere, which was described as professional but moved by political interest groups, was also integrated into its implementation procedures, again. I believe that this can have serious consequences, since it is not official state bodies or courts that can decide whether a given content is hateful content or fake news in Europe today, but an international network of NGOs driven by private interest groups. The EU Digital Services Act therefore raises a number of questions and concerns about its future ability to ensure the effectiveness of freedom of expression on our continent. These are legitimate concerns, and I would ask the Commissioner to address them.

Mr. Congressman, I'm sorry. Let me ask you a quick question. How does it feel to speak out against your own country over and over again in this Chamber? And when we are debating a discharge here, would you tell the Members present here, or perhaps the students, how it felt to accept millions of dollars in your opposition campaign in the last Hungarian national political campaign, which they cannot account for? So, technically, you're in a discharge debate here, and you have the nerve to stand up and talk about how to account for funds when you're using illegal money.

Dear Mr President, My fellow Members! How is it possible that the reports submitted to the plenary and adopted by the commission have become such biased, politically motivated texts, instead of giving a fair, objective and clear picture of the financial situation and management of the European Union? How is it possible that the reports attack Hungary through pages, demanding the immediate withdrawal of legitimately liberated resources? Meanwhile, the report mentions the biggest corruption scandal in the EU’s history only as ‘alleged corruption incidents’. That, and no more, is what you think is deserved in thousands of pages of reports for the cause that has shaken the very foundations of European voters' faith in the Union. What is the point of the discharge procedure and these reports? How can the European Parliament even get discharge for 2022?

Thank you for your time and I wanted to ask you to talk about NGOs, but in the previous national election campaign in Hungary, you and your comrades accepted more than $11 million from NGOs of dubious origin, NGOs linked to George Soros. How do you intend to account for that? Is this what the protection of the civil society means to you? Accepting money from NGOs and not holding it accountable to voters? Please answer that to me.

Mr. President, please. There is a constitutional order in the Member States of the European Union. Part of this is that everyone has to abide by the law, even civil society organisations. The latest political manipulation of the European left is using the principle of ‘more Europe’ to remove the control of civil society organisations from the jurisdiction of the Member States. This law is a direct attack on democracy and public order. There is no need for more Europe to regulate NGOs. You want to put left-wing organisations that carry out political activities without electoral authorization above the law, which interfere in elections or organise illegal migration. Fidesz and the Hungarian government stand up for the defence of national sovereignty and constitutional order. We will not succumb to political pressure. Europe deserves a better democracy, a true rule of law!

Mr. Speaker, you feel that you are losing the political debate. You, the Liberals, the Greens and, of course, the Communists. Your understanding of democracy is, if you can't win the debate, imprison your political opponents. They have them removed from electoral lists and deprive dissenters of the right to vote. Honourable Member, why don't you hear the voice of Europeans, including German citizens, who obviously have had enough of you, go home and talk to them?

Dear Madam President, European foreign trade is facing serious challenges today. We must recognise that it is in Europe's interest not to block the global economy, but to develop economic connectivity. The economic partners of the future are located in Asia and especially in India. The development of trade relations is beneficial not only for Hungary, but also for the whole Central European region. Connected trade policy would lead to cooperation in areas such as research and development, innovation, technology transfer, water management, culture, tourism, health and pharmaceuticals. If, however, instead of recognising interdependence, we make the development of trade relations subject to ideological conditions, we subordinate the interests of Europe and our region.