Speeches

When the migration debate broke out, Hungary was almost alone in its position that migration must be stopped because it would fundamentally change Europe. We can remember what anger tsunami poured down on the Hungarian government for standing up for border protection. It's been nine years, and the consequences are drastic. Nearly 4 million attempts to cross the border illegally, 8 million asylum applications, mostly from countries where they are not actually persecuted. Even if expulsion decisions are taken, they cannot be enforced by the authorities. What is happening has many victims: Victim is the public safety of many European cities, and to mention a new victim: the Schengen system. Europe is losing the achievement of free movement before our eyes. At the level of words, we can already hear the sounds of awakening, but actions are about something else. Hungary will not receive financial support for its border fence, and will even receive a fine of EUR 200 million for protecting its borders. We don't expect anyone to follow Hungary and say that we were right. Even if we were right. We are waiting for a change of direction in European migration policy. We can only hope it's not too late.

Dear Mr President, Let's talk about another issue of political violence. A week ago, the Ukrainian president threatened the Hungarian prime minister with sending soldiers to his house. My fellow Austrian Members have taken the initiative to discuss this, but have not put it on the agenda. Instead, Zelensky was awarded a European Order of Merit for the promotion of European values. Since then, there has been another threat. A Ukrainian politician, a former security officer, sent a message to the Prime Minister: You can't hide from karma. Orban think about his five children and six grandchildren. They are now threatening their children. If this isn't crossing red lines, what is? Then what is it that you're going to say here that it doesn't fit anymore? What do you think is the limit of violence in politics? No, the threat of soldiers is not a European value. He doesn't deserve an award, he doesn't deserve billions more, he definitely doesn't deserve accelerated membership. The Prime Minister will respond, not in the language of the threat, but with votes. Not alone, but millions. It will be a democratic response and a worthy one.

Dear Mr President, It is already clear that the main consequence of the Iranian war is the same as that of the Russian-Ukrainian war. In economic terms, it puts Europe in the most difficult situation. The price of gas and oil is falling, and Europe has tightened the possibilities for imports, so everything is in place to keep prices high. The first signs of panic have arrived. Ursula von der Leyen says it was a mistake to phase out nuclear power. A few months ago, the cooling towers of the decommissioned nuclear power plants were blown up in his own country, and now they are saying that it was a mistake to phase them out. Well, good morning. If you're so wrong about nuclear power, what else are you so wrong about? For example, in the case of sanctions? You have legislated for Europe to cut off energy imports from the East. Those who have made this decision here should answer the question: where will this energy come from in Europe at an affordable price? The U.S. sells at a higher price, and Norway can hardly produce more gas. The situation is tragic, but it is also an opportunity for re-planning. Part of this is not to persecute those who say in a democratic way that this is not the right direction. It may also be part of the rethink that Ukraine is blackmailing EU member states into blocking oil shipments if they don't give more money. And they do not ignore the fact that the Ukrainian president threatens the Hungarian prime minister to send soldiers to his house. We may have disputes, but there's one thing that doesn't fit. The Commission’s collusion with third countries vis-à-vis EU Member States. It is time to look not only at the requests of other countries, but also at the interests of the Member States.

Dear Mr President, The basic principles of enlargement policy have been completely overwritten, and this is particularly visible in the case of Ukraine. They're talking about a reverse enlargement procedure, what does that mean? It means that they will first grant membership, and then let's see if Ukraine fulfils the conditions. And they're pushing it so hard that the fundamental issues haven't been clarified. How the EU budget should be restructured, what will happen to European farmers, or whether minority rights will be enforced. It's just as important: They're talking about a target date of 2028, and it's a country at war. If Ukraine were a full member, the EU would include war in its ranks. That is why the question of war and enlargement must be separated. And one more thing: President Zelenskyy threatened to send his soldiers to his house. It is worth asking yourself, if you act in this way as a candidate, how would you behave as a full member? So I suggest that you first ask your own voters what they think about Ukraine's membership. I sincerely ask: dare to do it?

That's an essential question. This house has made many decisions that force European industry into certain modes of production without taking into account the cost of doing so. Ask the German automotive industry if they are in favour of making these rules even stricter. And also ask them if they think their energy costs have increased. I am sure that if you ask German car manufacturers what is causing the downsizing, then the spike in energy prices will definitely be in the first place. I don't want to tell you what decisions German companies should make, but you should accept that we think there is another way.

Dear Mr President, Another war broke out. This is not our war either, but Europe is again in the greatest trouble in terms of economic impact. Oil and gas prices have gone up, and there has been a fierce competition between European and Asian countries for available supplies. And it's all there to keep the prices high. Why is Europe in trouble again? Because the Grand Coalition here closed down for ideological reasons, it narrowed down the supply possibilities. They have succeeded in sanctioning a product that Europe needs the most and needs to be imported. One thing, however, was not accounted for, the consequences. And they're here. The new war only exacerbates the last four years. U.S. energy companies are making a lot of money. Russia can sell oil and gas if it wants to elsewhere, say in Asia. Intermediary companies also do well in remote countries, there is one region that is really on the drain: Europe. The consequences are deadly, with European companies paying several times more for energy than their American counterparts. In Germany alone, 124,000 jobs were lost in the industry in one year. Volkswagen is cutting tens of thousands of jobs and relocating production of the Golf to Mexico. It is one of the prides of European industry. The sanctions are causing even more damage to Slovakia and Hungary. You are cutting these countries off from cheaper imports. On top of that, Ukraine is blocking oil supplies for political blackmail reasons. That this phenomenon is brutally increasing the energy bill of the Slovak and Hungarian people is of no interest to you. Who's gonna take care of them here? It's time for a change of direction! Review the sanctions policy. If they do not, the European economy will be destroyed, and then the question will be who will turn off the last lamp of European industry. If the Grand Coalition of the People's Party is not willing to redesign, we ask only one thing: Don't call yourself a pro-European force because you're ruining it.

Dear Mr President, While the whole world is watching Iran, the Commission is implementing the Mercosur agreement in the background in an extremely scandalous way. A few weeks ago, the European Parliament voted to take the case to court, so the majority does not want an agreement, but it is still being implemented. They are opening up the EU markets to the giant economies of Latin America without even a vote or debate in this House. This week we will be talking about certain cases in Niger, events in Georgia, but the contract threatening the work of hundreds of thousands of farmers, that is not possible. This is what great coalition democracy looks like in practice. If I add to this that they want to cut subsidies by 20 percent, then this is already a conscious attack on European agriculture. If the farmers protest in front of the House next time, the members of the Grand Coalition can go out to them and tell them that if it is up to them, they have no future here in Europe, because they have renounced them. It's a big shame. The content of the contract and the procedure. Farmers will know who is responsible.

Dear Madam President, In 1950, a historical statement was made by a Robert Schuman. One line of this is: The goal is to make war unthinkable and financially impossible. For decades, this idea has been at the heart of European cooperation, but the majority here, led by Ursula von der Leyen, has forgotten it and even wants to do the opposite. War is once again seen as conceivable, and financial support as an obligation. This House has not wanted to separate two things in the last four years: That we need to help those in trouble, and that it doesn't mean we have to get into a war. My country has condemned the Russian military aggression, there is a parliamentary resolution about it. We took in refugees, provided electricity and fuel, and provided school supplies for refugee children. No thanks, but threats. They are now blocking oil shipments to Hungary. I'll tell you right here: We will not succumb to blackmail. You're roaring the war pump with one thing you don't care about: with the consequences. In this war, four hundred thousand people per year were killed or disabled. If they keep sending the billions, we're gonna need more coffins. The economic consequences are also brutal. Europe has spent €200 billion so far, is now borrowing €90 billion and adding another €300 billion to the new budget. Meanwhile, the sanctions have pushed energy prices up so that European industry loses its competitiveness. One million jobs have been lost in European industry. And we also know that Ukraine's funding would cost 1,500 billion over the next ten years. You would also pay this bill. Did they tell their constituents where they would take that money from? From development funds, agricultural subsidies or national budgets? Who's going to stand in front of them? The European dream was based on peace and the ensuing prosperity. You are betraying this dream. We don't expect fond words, but we expect one thing: not to persecute those who still believe in him. This war will end someday. If this continues, Europe will by then be the best place in the world to be a sick person in the world in terms of self-esteem, security and economy. Millions of people will ask who is responsible. And everyone will know the answer. We think there's another way, Robert Schuman's way. Take out your statement and ask yourself why you forgot.

I would like to tell you about our job. Our community in this House has consistently stood up against the principle of collective guilt since 2007. We were the ones who organised a hearing on the Beneš decrees already in 2007. We have also asked the Commission that if there is any contentious issue, the Hungarian government will consult with the Slovak government and be sure that there will be no contentious issue that will not be put on the table. In contrast, the Grand Coalition of the People's Party, when it comes to voting on the human rights report, will not allow the protection of indigenous minorities to be included in the 2025 report. And here's another thing: When they violate the rights of Transcarpathian Hungarians, the right to use language, when they die after forced recruitment, where are you? You don't care about the rights of minorities. I mean, at all.

Madam President, what we've got here is this liberal migration policy at its finest. The Spanish Government wants to legalise hundreds of thousands of illegal migrants without any parliamentary confirmation. They do not even know exactly how many migrants they would legalise, possibly half a million or more. That means they legalise the methods of those who came illegally. This is your rule of law in practice. At the same time, the ruling coalition in Brussels punishes Hungary for defending its borders and rejecting the migration pact. EUR 1 million per day: that is the sum of the fines for keeping Hungary safe and keeping the trouble out of our country. How absurd. What the Spanish Government does is an open‑ended invitation to many more millions. And the EPP coalition here wants to relocate these millions with the migration pact. I am sure that Spanish people did not ask for this, neither did Hungarians. Their response will reach you. You are destroying the best place on earth, called Europe. Call us anything. But don't even think that we will watch this silent.

As you know, the Hungarian government and the Ukrainian government have a lot of disputes. And there's a reason for that. We do not follow your path, we do not want to step on the war path, and this also means fierce disputes with the Ukrainian government. You do not mention it, but the Hungarian Prime Minister has been subjected to a number of threats from Ukrainian public figures. When that happens, you never speak up. There is a double standard here.

Dear Mr President, Attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure are only causing more suffering in the four-year war. Hungary, as you know, is having a lively debate about the EU's policy towards Ukraine, but we are still helping those in need. In January, 45 percent of Ukrainian electricity imports came from Hungary, while 45 percent of last year's Ukrainian gas imports also came from Hungary. The Hungarian oil company sends 50,000 tons of diesel fuel to Ukraine every month. We don't get many thanks for this, all the more so in a threatening tone. Looking at the devastation, the deaths of tens of thousands more, we have a umpteenth reason to want peace in this war tone. Unfortunately, the majority's answer to these tragedies is not peace talks, but more money for war, which will turn into more tragedies. In the end, one more thing about energy systems, I would like to propose something to you with respect. They should also be so sensitive when other key facilities are attacked, which are key for other Member States. The Friendship Oil Pipeline has been attacked several times. You did not have a word, the Nord Stream pipeline was blown up – the perpetrators were Ukrainians, by the way – the Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs expressed hope that the pipeline, on which Hungary and Slovakia receive oil, would also be blown up. What irresponsible madness! So if you can see the attacks on Ukraine, you can also see the attacks on the Member States. The flags of the Member States are sometimes hoisted next to the Ukrainian flag.

Madam President, I'm sorry. I would like to warmly welcome those Members of the European Parliament who think that there is nothing left to do in their own country, so they are also dealing with my country tonight, for the 35th time. I'm not kidding. Let me recall last year's editorial position of the EU-observer. They said that Hungary must be disciplined by all means. Hit them with anything you can. That's how they described it. Freezing of funds, rule of law proceedings or court rulings. They also mentioned intelligence tools, and one more thing: public insults. That's how they described it! Ladies and gentlemen, this is all happening. In today's debate, public insults are combined with the withholding of money. There is nothing new about this, it has been going on ever since there was a government in Hungary that was following its own path and was not singing from your sheet music. I would like to assure you that every time such a debate is held, we will continue on our own path and the answer will come on 12 April.

Madam President, I'm sorry. The Cyprus Presidency does not have an easy task. The Grand Coalition here and the European Commission expect him to make progress on big issues, such as budgetary issues. This is gonna be a bumpy ride. So far, 193 billion euros have gone to war, now 90 billion euros are being borrowed and another 100 billion euros are being put into the budget – the seven-year-old. They can only do this by cutting cohesion funds and cutting the agricultural coffers by 20%. In her speech in Cyprus, President von der Leyen also said that she expected the migration pact to be implemented. They're trying to spread the problem. Dear Cyprus Presidency, These plans are opposed by the majority of the European people, and when anyone objects to these plans, the steam cylinder starts. Instead of unanimity, they force cases through a qualified majority, cut the resources of critical Member States, and turn the voices of citizens down with fact-checkers. So, in addition to the successful work, I wish you one more thing: that you do not have to participate in this undemocratic operation. Lots of insight, strength and courage to do it!

Mr. President, please. Ursula von der Leyen and her colleagues signed the Mercosur agreement over the weekend without the European Parliament even approving it. This in itself says a lot about what those who constantly refer to democratic rights really think about them. In a few hours, farmers will be protesting in large numbers in front of Parliament. They are angry and have every reason to be. They open up EU markets to South America, to Ukraine, and they want to cut their support by 20%, and then compete as best they can with the giant economies of South America, where environmental rules are much looser. There is another scandalous circumstance. There are protests in many parts of Europe against Mercosur, the ball stands. There will be no debate in this house. There will be a debate about Honduras and the Central African Republic, but not about Mercosur. The treaty, which affects the lives of hundreds of thousands of farmers and whether healthy food is on the table for European families, cannot be debated. What a shame! You're playing with fire.

Mr. President, please. Do you know what tells us about the true nature of the rule of law procedures? Politico's headline last week, quote: “Belgium will also be treated like Hungary if it does not support the Ukrainian financial package.” It is as simple as a wedge. If someone does not stand in line, the conditionality procedure, the withholding of funds will start and there will be a umpteenth condemnation report in this House. But if you're in line, you can do it all: abolish the election result, suspend right-wing TV, silence citizens on the grounds of hate speech, or openly talk about banning the most popular German party or banning the most likely presidential candidate from running in France. But my favorite is the Democracy Shield program, what does it mean? A new censorship system. This is what the democracy of the Grand Coalition looks like, but not for long. Their coup against national governments is weakening and the rebels are increasing. They want to punish patriotic governments, but the voters will give the answer. Get ready to go!