Speeches

Dear Madam President, The current Hungarian prime minister is trying to create the appearance of the rule of law, while leaving citizens to themselves, fattening their oligarchs and bringing corruption to the top. The lack of rule of law conditions is one of the main reasons for freezing EU funds. The Tisza will get to the government and will give the Hungarian citizens the money due to them. We will ensure decent transport, housing, health care, high-quality education, a strong and competitive economy so that young people remain in our country and vulnerable social groups can be full members of our society. To make the financial security of the elderly, equal opportunities for women, accessible transport and independent living for people with disabilities a reality, so that everything is given attention and resources, because these are also part of the rule of law.

Dear Member, I would like you not to repeat a propaganda message now, but to give me a real answer to my question. Why are they pointing at others when it comes to EU funds? Why is the Orbán government idle when Hungary and the Hungarian people are losing thousands of billions of EU funds? Why are power and wealth important to you, and how can you call the rule of law a country where the prime minister and members of the government do not represent the interests of citizens?

Dear Madam President, In May, the Tisza community took a million steps from Budapest to Oradea. During the trip, we experienced the great gap between the rural regions of Hungary. Emigration, depopulation and the lack of a young, skilled workforce are causing enormous competitive disadvantages. Meanwhile, the EU is lacking billions of dollars from which normal transport links could be established. Rural development is one of the main goals of cohesion policy: to leave no one behind. I am pleased that the report draws attention to tackling demographic challenges and regional disparities, vulnerable social groups, especially women, people with disabilities. It is a special pleasure from the Hungarian point of view – thank you for the rapporteur’s work – to stress the need to provide more direct EU funds to local and regional authorities. Unfortunately, the Hungarian government is abandoning the countryside. However, the Tisza, once in government, will bring home the EU funds due to the people and will implement real developments in the countryside as well.

Dear Mr President, Two years have passed since the PEGA report, and unfortunately we Hungarians know exactly why this investigation was necessary. The current governing party, Fidesz, abused the Pegasus software. Journalists and opposition politicians were observed citing national security. In fact, they were defending their power, not the state and not the Hungarians. Now the same system has reached a new level. In recent days, leaked databases and hacking attacks, reported by the current prime minister himself, have made it clear: the Tisza community is targeted with digital tools for intimidation purposes. This is the introduction of Russian methods in Hungary. The concept of the Fight Club, built by Fidesz, and the data collections targeting volunteers follow the logic of Russian secret service psychological operations. They can no longer only observe politicians and journalists, but also activists and civilians. Tisza does not disclose any sensitive data to third parties, it works with the safest method in compliance with all laws. But it is clear that Viktor Orbán is in panic and would use any weapon to keep his power. We therefore support the recommendations of the PEGA Committee. Strong rules are needed, because state security cannot be an excuse to dismantle democracy. Power cannot play with the tools of fear. The Tisza is working for a new, rule of law Hungary.

I would like to ask the Honourable Member, if he is already making statements that you and the government know very well are not true – and everyone in this house knows that it is not true because the money does not arrive in Hungary because the government is corrupt and anti-democratic – then why does the government not, for example, submit a request for payment on the basis of the recovery fund? Why are they going to let this money go? Because the deadline, August 2026, is very close. And why is the government discriminating against opposition-led Budapest by not even publishing tenders for which the money is not even frozen?

Dear Madam President, In 1956, the last cry for help of the Hungarian freedom fighters reached the free world through Radio Free Europe. It was SOS, a desperate message against Soviet aggression. This radio was, and still is, the voice of freedom. That's why it's worrying that his very existence is in jeopardy because America is withdrawing its support. The Hungarian government can be pleased with this, as its main goal is to silence the independent press. On the example of Hungary, we can see what this logic can do: Fidesz propaganda completely dominates the domestic media, spreading lies, inciting fear, and using more absurd laws to stop the growing opposition, to whom they leave no room in the media. At Tisza, however, we believe that the free press is the foundation of any democracy, and Viktor Orbán will be forced to acknowledge this at the latest in 2026, when Tisza comes to government.

I would like to ask the Member why the Orbán government applies double standards when it comes to foreign subsidies. Why is it acceptable for the Heritage Foundation, for example, to support your fellow group members in maintaining close links with this organisation? Why is it acceptable that there is Russian and Chinese influence in the country, and meanwhile they want to silence the independent free press and withdraw all support from them?

Dear Madam President, Is Quo Vadis? Where is Cohesion Policy heading? The challenges of the Union justify overcoming inequalities, more than ever. This is the guarantee of Europe's security. We're stronger together. It is necessary to strengthen local and regional actors, involve stakeholders, partnership. Simplification, easier implementation, efficient and proper use of money. It is important that investments are used locally and that beneficiaries can enjoy all the benefits. Let us leave no area and no person behind, not the elderly, not women, not Roma, not people with disabilities. Tisza is working to rectify perhaps the biggest crime of the Orbán government, the deprivation of the country from a significant part of cohesion funds. Once in government, we will bring EU funds home, lead Hungary back on the path of a developing economy free from corruption and the rule of law, and I thank the Commission for its cooperation.

Dear Mr President, It is pleased that cohesion policy is included in the report as one of the pillars of the budget. It is important that the amount allocated to cohesion policy is not reduced and that the long-term objectives of cohesion policy are not lost sight of. It is important to fully implement the principle of "leave no one behind". It is also gratifying that the report mentions direct EU sources that are particularly important for Hungarians. Thank you very much for that! Unfortunately, today Hungary does not receive a significant part of EU funds. In particular, the government penalises opposition-led settlements, thereby depriving hundreds of thousands of Hungarians of quality services, health care and high-quality education. The Tisza party is doing everything it can to bring cohesion funds home and create a livable Hungary from 2026 onwards.

Mr. President, please. Hundreds of thousands of Hungarian families are cold in their own homes, and some are freezing in winter. Viktor Orbán shows himself to be at the forefront of competitiveness, while neglecting the development of infrastructure. Hungary imports more electricity than Germany. Industrial consumers are paying the fifth highest electricity bill in the European Union. They are building huge power-intensive Chinese battery factories in the country and are not reducing dependence on Russian fossil sources. I note that from now on they may switch to American sources, because we know that Orbán is friends not only with Putin, but also with Trump. At the Tisza Party, we are working to ensure the warmth of the home for all Hungarians through diversification, energy efficiency and better utilization of renewables such as geothermal energy.

Dear Mr President, A camel is a good animal, but we don't want to use it as a means of transport. Due to climate change, desertification is also a growing problem in Hungary. The Danube-Tisza Sand Ridge is about 10% of Hungary's territory, and according to the UN it is now officially a semi-desert. This is a symbol of government inaction. Yields are declining, livelihoods are becoming more difficult, sandstorms are occurring, lakes are drying up and habitats are disappearing. And it is not only an environmental crisis, but also a social and economic one, as food supply is at risk and the countryside is depopulated. For two decades, a scientific study and a program have been carried out to address this problem. The then government accepted, but the Fidesz government deliberately ignores the warnings of experts, neglects water management and soil protection, and instead spends hundreds of billions on prestigious investments, such as stadiums. The key to the solution is EU, national and local cooperation. We believe that there is a need for a comprehensive strategy at European level to support sustainable land use and water retention technologies. Tisza is Hungary's most popular party. Once we're in government, we're going to re-establish an independent Ministry of the Environment. We will focus on soil protection and water management, channel European funds to affected communities and support farmers in this fight as well.

Madam President, I'm sorry. A series of catastrophes is rocking Europe. I would also like to express our solidarity with all those involved. Hungary is also often affected by natural events. In September, the biggest flood of the decade crossed the Danube. It is important that cohesion funds are used appropriately also in crisis situations and that those affected have access to these funds as soon as possible. We support the so-called RESTORE proposal, through which EU funds can be used more flexibly not only for reconstruction, but also for food, essential goods and short-term job opportunities. The name of our party, Tisza, is the name of Hungary's second largest river. At the same time, we believe that a systemic solution is needed to deal with floods. On the other hand, it is important for cohesion funds to maintain their long-term original objectives, and the funds must really reach the local level to the people to whom they are owed, and our party, the Tisza Party, is committed to this.

Dear Mr President, The floods that hit Eastern and Central Europe in September caused the suffering and death of many people. I live on an island, not far from Budapest, in the middle of the Danube, so I personally had the opportunity to experience what it's like when water comes from all directions. I have experienced how much the cooperation, the joint work of the local population and the volunteers of the TISZA Party help, how important security is, that the dams are strong and high, that EU funds for investments reach the local level, the people who are entitled to them. According to the TISZA Party, the central distribution of funds is unfortunate, especially if, due to the undemocratic system and the corruption of the government, these funds disappear or do not arrive. According to a recent Commission report, funds may not reach underdeveloped areas. This poses a serious risk to the success of EU support policy. According to the report of the European Court of Auditors, centralised management is also insufficient. It would therefore be advisable to find mid-level players and to increase the decision-making power and financial independence of regions and municipalities. The TISZA Party is also working to achieve this in the European Parliament, so that Hungary can return to its rightful place in Europe.

Madam President, I'm sorry. Today, instead of discussing the Hungarian Presidency, we are talking about extreme weather events caused by climate change. As a rare beautiful manifestation of the sense of shared responsibility, the Prime Minister of Hungary and the leader of the opposition, who is also our fellow Member, the President of the Tisza Party, Péter Magyar, are in charge of flood defences. Péter Magyar is also working on the dams together with thousands of our volunteers. I would especially like to thank them for their work. They are very much needed, as 33% of Hungary's territory is endangered, with nearly two million people on it. Here in Strasbourg, it is our job to work on European unity for recovery and defence. I would like to thank my fellow Members for their openness and commitment to put this topic on the agenda and show solidarity with the population affected by the floods in Central Europe, including the Hungarians. Thank you for the quick reaction of the Commission. MEPs from the Tisza Party will work closely with the Commission to ensure that Hungarian citizens also receive support for damage control and protection as soon as possible. At the same time, we cannot ignore the need for systemic, long-term solutions. Our party, the Tisza Party, which is also the name of Hungary's second largest river, is committed to strengthening Europe's water security and adopting a new strategy for water resilience in Europe. It is also important to make good use of cohesion and restoration funds to adapt to and mitigate the effects of climate change. I would like to ask the Commission to review the use made of the funding provided over the past 14 years in the light of how infrastructure has been tested in the current emergency.