Speeches

While the European Union is bleeding from a thousand wounds, today Hungary is again on the agenda of the European Parliament. The left-liberal majority of the Parliament, led by the European People's Party, which includes the Tiszáss, is once again attacking Hungary. According to left-wing sources, the People's Party itself asked for the title "the legislative changes in Hungary and their impact on fundamental rights" in order to help the Tiszáss. Representatives of the Hungarian government were not invited to the debate by the European Parliament. So much for European democracy. Whatever the pressure on us in today's debate, we will still defend the best interests of children, safeguard national sovereignty against external interference and make the funding of civil society organisations transparent. We have always opposed the misguided migration policy, the war hysteria, the waking ideology. And we've always been open about our differences. We can have a debate about our country every week, and we will still stand by Hungary!

Dear Mr President, The criticism of the next seven-year budget on our part, on the part of the Hungarian patriots, is not against the Union, but for a European Union that better serves the interests of its citizens. In times of crisis, people expect the European institutions and their governments to preserve their peace, security and prosperity. This is not guaranteed by the Commission's proposal. Instead, billions of euros would go to Ukraine to finance and support left-wing activist networks, while agricultural subsidies would be merged with cohesion policy to reduce by 20%. He's taking most of the money from the farmers who put the food on our table. Moreover, by extending the rule of law conditions on an ideological basis, the Commission would further strengthen its power of blackmail against the sovereignty of the Member States. Which, as von der Leyen said, and what we Hungarians have experienced here, is capable of influencing the fate of governments. It's unacceptable. Today, in contrast to the political drama of the left-liberal coalition in the People's Party, the Patriot faction is the only reliable political force that truly stands up for the interests of farmers, businesses and people. Along with common sense. For us, the interests of the people come first in Hungary and across Europe.

Madam President, I'm sorry. We Patriots expect the Commission and the Council to ensure the safety of European citizens through their decisions. Protect them from terrorist, anti-Semitic acts, against a possible new wave of migration, and guarantee Europe's energy security. All this is still missing. The energy crisis caused by the conflict in the Middle East is only exacerbated by the deliberate closure of the Friendship pipeline by Ukrainians, seriously endangering the energy supply of Hungary and Slovakia. That is why we miss the lack of European support for these two Member States in such a fierce situation. We miss the lack of unequivocal condemnation of the death threats to the Hungarian Prime Minister and his family from the Ukrainian side. As we miss the lack of a spectacular condemnation of the wiretapping of Hungary's foreign minister. What an outrage it would be for you if this were to happen to any other Member State! They say openly that they want a change of government in Hungary, they want to replace the prime minister who stands up for national interests, so they believe that everything is allowed, be it withholding money, extortion, oil blockade, threats and wiretapping. Eighteen days before the elections, today the Commission decided that for the time being only Hungary, the neighbour of a country at war, will be left out of the funds intended to strengthen its European defence. What is this if there is no open interference in the Hungarian elections? European cooperation could not be harmed any more. The European Commission is completely discredited. We, the Patriots, will strengthen even further in Hungary on April 12.

Dear Madam President, Everyone is talking about the decline in European competitiveness, but the main reason for this is being kept quiet. This is high energy prices. The deepening of European competitiveness will not stop as long as Europe is paid multiple times more for energy than its global competitors. Brussels is making the situation worse with its ideologically driven decisions. For example, there is the decree on the phasing out of Russian energy, which further increases energy prices and threatens the energy security of Central European countries. Energy supply is a physical issue, not an ideological one. Moreover, the rules of the game were written in disregard of the will of the most affected Member States. Therefore, Hungary is challenging the regulation before the Court of Justice of the European Union, because we cannot let the household utility bills of families triple and our businesses become impossible. We will protect the reduction of public utility charges and Hungary's energy security. In addition, there is a huge amount of funding for Ukraine, including a €90 billion loan package that puts Europe in a debt spiral, which only worsens the competitiveness prospects. Like the excesses of the Green Deal, the Mercosur agreement, which puts farmers at risk, only adds to the problem. Now we have put simplification enthusiastically on the flag, which is an important and welcome beauty patch only for serious injury. But they are deeply silent about the fact that these burdens were imposed by them, by you, with just as much enthusiasm. Instead of playing an ideological gamble, we expect the European Commission to change course, take concrete steps to reduce energy prices and finally take decisions in the interest of the people of Europe.

Madam President, please. There is no clearer evidence than today’s pointless debate that you on the left – led by the People’s Party – want to interfere in the Hungarian elections. They don't even pretend anymore. Europe's security would also be sacrificed in the hope of overthrowing the government. The security of the Union is united and indivisible. It is not possible to talk about European security if Hungary is excluded from the SAFE defence programme on ideological grounds. Strengthening Member States’ defence capabilities is a common European interest. The guarantee of peace is not the subject of ideological debate. You want to get rid of the Hungarian government at all costs, because you say no to the Brussels dictates on war, migration and Ukraine. They want to help their own people into power, as they have said many times, who will stand in line. But I have some bad news from Brussels, you can't win an election in Hungary.

Madam President, I'm sorry. Europe does not seem to find its place in the changing world order. It is feared that it will be pushed to the shoreline, while others will shape world politics. Instead of a blinkered, ideologically driven policy in Brussels, we need a strategy based on new geopolitical realities. We expect a change of direction from the Cyprus Presidency, because wrong decisions lead Europe to a dead end. The migration pact must be rejected, migration must not be managed, illegal migrants must not be allocated on a quota basis, but they must be stopped at the external borders. We also need a new narrative on Ukraine. Instead of war rhetoric, we need concrete steps towards peace talks in support of American peace efforts. Unlimited funding for Ukraine cannot be maintained in this way either, as this would indebt the future of Europe. Hungary, together with Slovakia and the Czech Republic, were rightly left out of this. The seven-year draft budget is also unacceptable. The Commission's proposals would destroy the Union's two most successful policies, agricultural policy and cohesion policy. All this is now being solved by a bad Mercosur agreement. The people of Europe feel that Brussels does not protect them, but strengthens its own power. We need to go back to what the Union was built for: guaranteeing peace, security and prosperity. We hope that the Cyprus Presidency will take concrete steps in this direction. That's what we Patriots are waiting for.

Dear Madam President, The EU summit of 23 October was marked by strategic paralysis. He pushed for a failed war policy, while Ukraine and the war lacked the necessary financial resources to continue financing it. The raising of money, on the one hand, calls into question the fundamental principles of law and, on the other hand, would be indebted to generations. It is clear that the cost of misguided decisions in Brussels will be paid by the European people. Meanwhile, the Commission would remove additional competences from Member States, for example under the pretext of forced defence preparedness. The EU’s competitiveness is constantly declining due to the bad Green Deal and high energy prices. Meanwhile, the misguided migration pact continues to be pushed. The October EIT rolled all these problems further and is therefore considered to be a failure. It's time for a change of direction. The EU should finally play an active role in promoting peace as soon as possible. Helping, not hindering, peace talks in Budapest as soon as possible.

Madam President, I'm sorry. Today, the EU is unable to respond to the challenges it faces. It pushes for the wrong solutions, putting at risk the three most important basic promises of European integration: peace, security and prosperity. There is no sign of prosperity. The poison green transition has become a symbol of misguided decisions. Runaway energy prices and excessive bureaucracy in Brussels are putting our farmers and businesses at risk. There can be no competitive turnaround as long as EU leaders are on an ideologically coercive path. Instead of cosmetics, we need a real reduction in bureaucratic burdens and a drastic reduction in energy prices. Our security is under threat from illegal immigration. The migration pact is as bad as it is. For many years, we have been saying that European migration policy must be put on a completely new footing, that illegal immigrants must be stopped at the external borders and that those who are in Europe must be returned effectively as soon as possible. Instead of pushing for peace, there is war rhetoric. Peace should finally become a reality in Ukraine. Instead of licking the attitude of the leaders of the European Union and talking about war proposals, everything should be done to support a diplomatic solution. A potential Trump-Putin summit in Budapest would be a historic opportunity, a chance for peace in Ukraine. This is Europe's only interest today.

Madam President, I'm sorry. Two years after Hamas' terrorism brought inhumane suffering to Israelis and Palestinians, the torment in the region could end. After two years of torture, the Israeli hostages were finally able to return home. President Trump's historic move: Diplomacy works when there is strength and will behind it. The Middle East settlement is not just a regional issue, but a global geopolitical turning point. However, the EU has been left out of this settlement in the Middle East. Two weeks ago, the President of the Commission talked about sanctions against Israel here in this room, while preparations were already underway for a peace agreement. In doing so, the Union has weakened its strategic position, while the European Union has to cope with another serious problem, increasingly aggressive anti-Semitism. The anti-Semitic, anti-Israel incidents on the streets of Western Europe are unacceptable. I am proud that Hungary, on the other hand, is an island of security for the Jewish community. This is evidenced by the safe organisation of many events. The peace achieved by Trump in Gaza should be an incentive for further peace initiatives to become a reality in Ukraine after the Middle East. A potential Trump-Putin summit in Budapest could be a historic opportunity, a chance for peace. This is something that the EU should finally be constructive about, so that it does not stay on the bench again.

Dear Madam President, Prime Minister, Europe is in crisis today and cannot find its place in a changing world order. The Union has strayed from the path set by the founding fathers, which made it such a successful project in the second half of the 20th century. Let us not forget that the European Union was created to bring peace, security and prosperity to its citizens. Where national interests are respected and a balance is maintained between Brussels and the Member States. Today we see the opposite. Centralisation efforts and misguided decisions in Brussels threaten the future of the Union. Today, instead of peace, the President of the Commission himself talks about Europe being at war. Sending more weapons, sending more soldiers, would drag Europe into the war. Instead of security, we see the consequences of the misguided Brussels migration policy. Women and children are not safe. Anti-Semitism is rising again. Instead of prosperity, Europe's competitiveness and economy are in decline as a result of poison greening. The Brussels bureaucracy is working today to overwrite the founding treaties and further curtail the sovereignty of the Member States. This is the exact opposite of a Europe based on the cooperation of sovereign nations. If there is no change, the EU can take the path of disintegration. Most people want change, where they finally deal with their real problems. This was the result of the Czech election. The only credible alternative to defending Europe today is the Patriots.

Dear Madam President, Today, the European Union is weaker than ever. The series of erroneous decisions initiated by the European Commission is destroying the continent's economy, threatening the security of its citizens and undermining the sovereignty of the Member States. You are calling for more arms and sanctions instead of peace as soon as possible. Instead of protecting our borders, it's pushing for a bad migration pact. With the Green Deal, bad trade deals, it has weakened Europe's competitiveness, leaving families, farmers and businesses behind. Ukraine’s accelerated accession threatens the Union’s security and prosperity. Observance and enforcement of the principles of democracy and the rules have become ideologically based, while the functioning of the President of the Commission lacks transparency and accountability, and the rule of law is used as a political weapon. They withhold EU funds and apply double standards to democratically elected governments. Instead of a plurality of opinions, other opinions are silenced. In your State of the Union speech, you confirmed: They don't want to change direction. This is detrimental to European cooperation. The European Commission has become the problem. Madam President, please. Citizens’ trust has steadily declined, I say to Manfred Weber, who seems to be suffering from Orbán’s phobia, and an increasing number of Europeans – just two days ago in the Czech Republic when they voted for Patriots – see that their future is at stake. For all this, we Patriots are demanding change for the sake of Europe. Our message is clear: It's time to leave!

Dear Madam President, We expect respect for the rules of democracy, other opinions for national sovereignty, treaties, including unanimity. Contrary to your understanding, this is what democracy and the ‘Rule of law’ mean. Today, the Patriot faction was waiting for answers to serious questions affecting people. Why Europe today is weaker than ever, with all its consequences: farmers, businesses, the safety of women and our children? Instead of answers, we once again heard a credo of flawed Brussels policies, in addition to indebting our future, along a war logic. Instead of a solution, the European Commission has become the problem itself. We therefore need a new leadership that represents the real interests of the people of Europe. Madam President, please. It's time for you to leave. That's what we Patriots call it.

Dear Madam President, Madam High Representative, Commissioner, When I hear proposals for EU troops to be stationed in Ukraine, I am terrified as the mother of four boys. Any such statement will bring war closer to the European Union, rather than peace for Ukrainians. Today, Europe is weaker than ever. This is evident in the US President's efforts for peace. Today, Ukraine continues to experience the most terrible forms of Russian aggression, destruction. And here, in spite of countless debates and resolutions, in spite of a lot of money sent to Ukraine, we are in the same place, because we lack the confession and the series of actions that this war cannot be won on the battlefield, but only through diplomatic means. Enlargement policy cannot be confused with security guarantees. The Commission is falsely pretending that Ukraine is already fulfilling the conditions, while far from being prepared for an accelerated accession. This is not a merit-based enlargement policy, but a political mistake with serious consequences that must not be concealed. This is particularly cynical of the candidate countries in the Western Balkans, which have been performing for many years. It is in the fundamental interest of the Union as a whole that these serious decisions can only be taken by unanimity and not bypassing Member States. Decisions over people's heads cannot be made prematurely, as they are also about what kind of European Union we leave for future generations. A weakened one, or one who can stand up for his own interests? If we do not face reality honestly, Europe will soon wake up in a cold shower.

Dear Madam President, Commissioner, This is at the heart of the European Citizens' Initiative. I have been following her strenuous development for twelve years and, contrary to the beautiful words the Commissioner has said, in practice the Commission has done everything to make this citizens' initiative impossible and impossible. My father's countryside is a Hungarian-inhabited region in Romania that needs special attention. These regions all over Europe face the same problem: Young people are forced to migrate because their chances are not equal. There is no clear vision. With cohesion policy and legislation, the Commission would have the tools to support communities in these regions, around 50 million citizens belonging to traditional national and linguistic minorities. Unfortunately, it is precisely in these communities that political will is always lacking in a discriminatory way, even though it is about concrete situations and lives, not abstract norm-making. Concrete action is finally needed. To promote the prosperity of these communities in their homeland and to preserve cultural values and traditions. Make investments that prevent natural disasters, such as floods in Szeklerland or the salt mine in Praid. The Commission's hostile, discriminatory attitude is unacceptable. Now is the time to finally act and take the requests of more than a million citizens seriously!

Dear Madam President, Commissioner, This is at the heart of the European Citizens' Initiative. I have been following her strenuous development for twelve years and, contrary to the beautiful words the Commissioner has said, in practice the Commission has done everything to make this citizens' initiative impossible and impossible. My father's countryside is a Hungarian-inhabited region in Romania that needs special attention. These regions all over Europe face the same problem: Young people are forced to migrate because their chances are not equal. There is no clear vision. With cohesion policy and legislation, the Commission would have the tools to support communities in these regions, around 50 million citizens belonging to traditional national and linguistic minorities. Unfortunately, it is precisely in these communities that political will is always lacking in a discriminatory way, even though it is about concrete situations and lives, not abstract norm-making. Concrete action is finally needed. To promote the prosperity of these communities in their homeland and to preserve cultural values and traditions. Make investments that prevent natural disasters, such as floods in Szeklerland or the salt mine in Praid. The Commission's hostile, discriminatory attitude is unacceptable. Now is the time to finally act and take the requests of more than a million citizens seriously!

Dear Mr President, Madam President, People all over Europe are looking for real solutions. However, at the last EU summit, the Hungarian Prime Minister was the only one who dared to speak the truth. The forced accession of Ukraine to the EU would destroy the Union. It would have serious consequences for agriculture, the labour market and our security. Opening up markets to Ukraine has far-reaching consequences for our farmers. It is therefore unacceptable that the Commission will once again conclude a trade agreement with Ukraine behind closed doors. We support the strengthening of Member States' defence capabilities and industries, but this must remain a Member State competence and not a tool for further centralisation. Finally, the misguided migration pact should not be enforced. A radical change is needed, even by reviewing the practices of international institutions and courts. The decline in competitiveness is a burning problem, we have heard it many times today. Still, the Commission is making further self-defeating proposals to skyrocket energy prices. Bypassing the treaties and the unanimity of the Member States will lead to the destruction of EU cooperation. Europe finally needs real solutions, not ideological dead ends. That's what the Patriots are fighting for.

Dear Mr President, The Patriots do not support accelerating enlargement policy in line with geopolitical interests. This discredits the EU in the eyes of countries in the region, such as those in the Western Balkans, which have been working hard for years to meet the conditions for membership. This is not the first time that the Union's political compass has gone in the wrong direction, ignoring the real interests of European citizens. For example, it would be necessary for the Commission to carry out without delay a comprehensive impact assessment of the likely consequences of a possible accession of Ukraine. Ukraine does not meet any accession criteria. We are talking about a war-torn country, so with its accelerated accession, we would also import war. For example, the situation of national minority rights is insufficient. The influx of Ukrainian labour is threatening jobs, and the massive influx of agricultural products and the loss of agricultural subsidies are threatening farmers' livelihoods. Cohesion funds would be disproportionately diverted from other Member States. There can be no hasty decisions over people's heads. This is why we initiated a referendum on this issue, which is unique in Hungary and Europe. We will not allow the Hungarian people to pay the price of forced Ukrainian EU membership, just as we cannot allow our sovereignty to be undermined by another stealth withdrawal of powers. Decisions in enlargement policy can only be taken by unanimity, not bypassing Member States on a political basis. This is in the fundamental interest of the Member States and of the Union as a whole.

Dear Madam President, Pour clean water into the glass. This new debate on Hungary cannot bring up anything new; it is not about the enforcement of fundamental rights. It fits perfectly into the political witch hunt and hysteria that we have been witnessing against Hungary for many years. This is precisely the thirtieth time that the left-liberal, People's Party majority in the European Parliament has put our country on the agenda. Most of the time with complete disinterest, with the same lying accusations, with outrageous double standards. They use the rule of law to exert political pressure, because Hungary has a sovereign conservative government that refuses to submit to Brussels' expectations and bravely represents its national interests against the dictates of the mainstream. We say no to war, we do not support Ukraine's forced accession to the EU, and we protect our borders from illegal migration. Our biggest crime right now is standing up for the protection of children against genderlobbies. Everyone in Hungary can live and assemble freely, but for us the best interests of children and their physical and mental development come first. This must be respected by everyone. While this Parliament is attacking Hungary, it is awkward to avoid putting truly serious scandals on the agenda. Where is the debate on the European Court of Justice ruling against the Commission in the Pfizer case? Where is the debate on the Commission's opaque NGO funding? There is a deep silence in these matters. Despite the fact that the patriots initiated a debate, our proposals are being swept down by the left-liberal coalition of the People's Party. This is nothing more than a spike in hypocrisy, dear fellow Members. But they can organize a Hungarian debate every week, they can blackmail us in any way, we will continue to protect our children from gender propaganda, and Hungary from external interference. We will continue to stand for peace. We say no to illegal migration, just as we say no to the forced accession of Ukraine.

Madam President, I'm sorry. After the unimaginable destruction and suffering of the Second World War, Europe was in ruins. Never again! The Founding Fathers, recognizing the consequences of destruction, have created a common Europe whose main goal is to ensure lasting peace, security and prosperity on our continent. Eighty years of celebration in May and the end of the war have not brought true peace and prosperity to all European nations. Because in Central and Eastern Europe, so for us Hungarians, the suffering has not ended. The dark years of communism followed, with the gulags of thousands of men and women, expulsions, reprisals, political purges and restrictions on freedom keeping people in fear for decades to come. Our parents and grandparents, and even in our memory, still live these feelings vividly today. They were therefore justly longing for the Union, beyond the Iron Curtain, which was a symbol of freedom, peace, security and prosperity for them. This, however, had to wait a long time, until 2004, which is why it is particularly painful for us to feel that these values are now in danger, because instead of peace, war is raging in our neighbourhood. Instead of security, illegal migration poses an increasing threat to public security. Instead of prosperity, we have to face economic weakness. We need to get back to basics: a Union based on mutual respect and sincere cooperation between sovereign nations. Which doesn't lecture me, but respects and supports me. Only in this way will Europe remain a home of peace, security and prosperity.

Mr. President, please. We have had almost 50 plenary debates on the war situation in Ukraine. The EU has sent more than €150 billion in support to Ukraine. Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of people were lost on the frontline, and we were no closer to ending the war. This is a failure of the European strategy. At last, the Union should be determined to take active action and support diplomatic efforts to achieve a ceasefire and lasting peace as soon as possible, since that is why the founding fathers established the Union at the end of the Second World War, and this is what the people of Ukraine need most rapidly today. The institutions with the left-liberal People's Party coalition at the forefront, as can be seen from the document of the People's Party Congress, would nevertheless further increase Ukraine's military support. More recently, the legitimate goal of developing European defence capabilities has also been used to send more weapons and money to Ukraine. This is not in Europe's interest. Just as tightening energy supplies, raising energy prices and making Central European countries impossible is not in Europe's interest, nor is it in Ukraine's interest to join by 2030 on a purely political and accelerated basis. Moreover, opening up the internal market to Ukraine even before full accession would have unforeseeable consequences for the economy, agricultural policy, cohesion policy or the labour market. Ukraine does not meet any accession criteria, but this is not the case. However, there is no room for double standards in the EU's enlargement policy. EU decision-makers must represent the interests of the European people. This question cannot be decided over the heads of the Hungarian people.

Mr. President, please. Stability in the Western Balkans is a fundamental interest of the European Union and Serbia is a key country. It is therefore in our security and strategic interest to support the country's European path. After 20 years of accession, the EU has slowly lost credibility in the region. As Patriot responsible for the report we are discussing, I see the text as unbalanced, too one-sided. There is no doubt that the country still has a lot to do in many areas, but the Serbian government's European commitment and efforts made so far should be evaluated in the areas of energy policy, family policy, visa policy or minority policy, including the situation of the Hungarian community in Vojvodina. Instead, the text focuses only on shortcomings and contains grossly unfair ideological biases. There is no room for double standards in European enlargement policy. Unfortunately, the ideological approach, the actual political interest is becoming more and more pronounced instead of neutral, performance-based evaluation. While Ukraine's accession will be put on an accelerating track, the Western Balkan candidate countries, which have been struggling for many years, will remain on the shores. Serbia's European integration can contribute to curbing illegal migration and ensuring energy supply in the long term, so it is in Europe's and Hungary's interest to have a stable Serbia committed to the EU. That is why we support Serbia's accession to the EU.