Speeches

The behaviour of this House yesterday in voting on the agenda was a caricature of itself and of democracy. It shows that the rule of law matters to the left only when it governs the right. When the left is in power, everything is allowed. In Spain, criminal legislation has been reformed to benefit members of the ruling coalition. Penalties for sex crimes have been reduced, 74 abusers are already circulating on the street. The socialist-communist government has an excessive desire to control everything in the long term, including the judiciary, creating majorities in its favor in the courts. There is total interference in the judicial system, freedom, independence of judges and the judicial police are violated. The gender equality law puts women's rights at risk. Cases of fraud involving European money are investigated in the Canary Islands and Cantabria. How is it possible that the European Commission deals only with Hungary and Poland? How is it possible that funds are blocked to these two countries while in Spain embezzlement is considered a less serious crime? I demand a clear European policy without double standards.

I believe that, in the current economic situation, combating tax fraud and tax evasion is even more important than hitherto. Everyone has to pay taxes on their real economic activities. Stable public revenues are in our common interest for economic recovery and sustainable growth. It is also important to reduce the administrative burden for small and medium-sized enterprises and make it easier for them to operate in the single market. For this reason, I agree with the parts of the report that aim to take initiatives in this regard or to improve the exchange of information in tax matters. This is all the more so because the progress made in recent years has made a major contribution to the fight against tax evasion, both at EU level and in the Member States. I am also proud to say that the VAT gap in Hungary has now fallen to 9%. This was supported by three important government actions: the introduction of online cash registers, an electronic road freight traffic control system and an online invoicing system. However, I reject the parts of the report that attack the EU Treaties. I would like to remind my fellow Members on the left once again that tax policy decisions fall within the competence of the Member States. Again, I would like to point out that tax harmonisation would result in a loss of competitiveness for the whole of the Union. I ask my fellow Members to respect the treaties and to create only rules and reports in this House which, even in these difficult times, will help the competitiveness of European industry and not act against it.

Dear Mr President, Parliament's mainstream parties have pushed the Patriots out of the debates on the seven-year budget so far, leaving common sense out of the question. There is no substantial improvement in this report compared to the Commission's draft. You would also pool EU funds for Member States into a single fund, over which the Commission would exercise its full power. Extortion could deprive anyone of the money owed to them, resulting in a farmer not receiving support for, say, non-fulfilment of an expectation by the Commission that falls outside EU competence. Brussels, for example, currently expects Hungary to phase out the reduction of public utility charges, and in the future it would be punished for refusing to do so. Would this be a good fiscal policy in these turbulent times, plus the introduction of European taxes? The left side of the Parliament and the People's Party are enthusiastically assisting and reducing the sovereignty of the Member States. Conditionality is a political weapon disguised as a budget for the Federation. Instead, we need a budget in the interest of citizens that does not divert cohesion and agricultural subsidies to political activists, migrants and Ukraine.

Mr. President, please. Every day, €4 billion worth of goods are exchanged between the US and the EU. This shows the importance of a balanced partnership based on mutual respect. Ursula von der Leyen made a humiliating deal with the US last summer. He has given evidence that Europe is weak and blackmailable. A very unequal agreement has been reached, which is far from being mutually beneficial. We used to pay 2-3% tariffs on our exports, now we're going to pay 15, and the US is going to import industrial goods duty-free. Why did the Commission agree to this humiliating deal? In order for America to continue to support Ukraine. Donald Trump represented the interests of America, and Mrs Von der Leyen represented the interests of Ukraine, not the interests of European citizens and businesses. Since then, of course, the US has stopped funding Ukraine, and only Europe is pouring money into a hopeless war. There is only salvage left, because European companies need predictability and less tension. The Commission should learn from the US President how to effectively stand up for our own interests.

Madam President, I'm sorry. EU-India relations have significant untapped potential in economic, strategic and geopolitical terms. That is why it is to be welcomed that there will be an EU-India summit at the end of the month, and it would be good if the free trade agreement with the fourth largest economy in the world could be concluded there with one last turn. We have a great opportunity ahead of us, it would be a shame to spoil it. We expect the Commission to consistently represent the European interest in the negotiations and to fight for the best possible conditions for our strategic sectors, in particular the automotive industry. Pragmatism is just as important. We don't expect a trading partner to agree with us on everything just so we can do business with them. Let the Commission learn from past mistakes and leave the ideology out of the negotiations. Instead of blocking, the EU needs connections. Only in this way can we deal with the world's great powers and strengthen Europe's economic position.

Madam President, I'm sorry. Today the world speaks the language of power. It is possible to grunt, to cool down, to shake a fist, but I would rather recommend that the Union switch to fast-boat mode and adapt instead of a slow-turning battleship. This should also be the case for Venezuela. During the communist dictatorship of Chavez-Maduro, the country went from a God-given paradise on Earth to a poor country, from which millions fled, hundreds of families to Hungary. It is an open secret that the state was run by drug trafficking, elections were cheated, and the regime was maintained by the military institutional structure of the Soles cartel. The left denies it for ideological reasons, but without the complicity of the Venezuelan state, drug trafficking in the world would not be as extensive as it is. The United States did not act as a lawyer, but acted to send a message to all narco-regimes. And if Europe does not want its land to be subject to daily shootings, such as those in Antwerp or Brussels between dealers, then it should work with the Americans to eradicate the drug that cripples everyone. There is zero tolerance in Hungary, and it should be in Europe as well.

Dear Madam President, After a long wait, we just lived it. Tomorrow we will finally conclude the first of the simplification packages. Unfortunately, the left-wing factions have not lied to themselves this time either. All efforts were made during the negotiations to slow down the process and not to reduce the administrative burden on businesses, but to force them to count according to new indicators. We, the patriots, have not let this happen, and we have finally managed to find a compromise that really simplifies the lives of European businesses and facilitates their access to finance. Firstly, the InvestEU guarantee will be increased by €2.9 billion. Hungarian businesses will also benefit from this. In addition, we will provide €40 million in additional resources to the advisory centre that will help companies navigate. Secondly, we are also tripling the threshold for reporting obligations. Projects below €300,000 are exempt and the most burdensome green transition reporting obligation has been removed. Thirdly, we protect small and medium-sized enterprises, so that subsidiaries of large multinational companies do not have access to funds through tricks at the expense of smaller ones. This package is therefore finally a real relief for European companies. More resources, less bureaucracy. We Patriots believe in this and we will continue to work for a competitive Europe. It's a long way to go, but we're persistent, and we're confident we'll make it to the finish line.

Dear Madam President, China is an unavoidable player in global supply chains, the EU's second trading partner, from whom we like, dislike and are heavily dependent. Our dependence on rare earths is even more significant than in others, but there is no green transition, i.e. solar power, windmills, without China. The EU therefore urgently needs to rethink its approach to China. America saw that relations with them could be settled by dialogue rather than by fist. The EU should finally take this path. An open economy, in principle a great trading power, cannot close itself. Already the human rights or trade restrictions imposed so far have caused us much harm. If we continue to live under the spell of trade defence instruments, we will further undermine our own competitiveness. The dialogue between Commissioner Šefčovič and the Chinese Trade Minister at the end of October, as well as China's commitment not to further block exports of semiconductors produced by Nexperia, clearly shows that if we talk to them, we can reach an agreement. So let us give up the ideological struggle and finally stand up for our own European interests. I thank the Commission for our balanced relationship with as many regions as possible and after as many negotiations as possible.

Congresswoman, I'm sorry. The thing is, he probably didn't understand what I said. This committee, with your support, has put forward a proposal – your faction is conspiring to put it together – that would be bad for every Hungarian citizen, for every Hungarian family. The fact that this committee does not give the money now has no tangible proof other than that we have already agreed a thousand times, and then there was always an order from the top that we should not agree with the Hungarians. You know, that's what I said about being handed out in the face, and that's what's destroying the European Union if you take it in that direction.

Mr. President, please. Over the weekend, we watched the acting of some self-appointed MEPs and the Commission. Sounding promises to the farmers, all the rules are broken conciliation, and then the result: the big nothing. This was achieved by the great coalition including the Tisza bank and the DK. Let's look at the facts. The overall amount of the next MFF will not change and farmers will not receive more money. The common agricultural policy would be cut by almost 20% and merged with traditional policies into a single fund. The creation of the so-called rural target does not compensate for the loss of the second pillar of the CAP. Then where would the money go? Well, for Ukraine and loan repayments. Conditionality would be extended, so that, to speak Pestiously, it could be even more handed out in the face. The written and unwritten rules of the budgetary procedure, which has been functioning well for decades, are being broken. The role of the European Council, which represents the sovereignty of the Member States, would be reduced in order to eliminate the possibility of a veto. All this without a treaty amendment requiring unanimity, of course. This is the road to the United States of Europe. The Commission should present a new proposal which respects the Treaties, the powers of the Member States, competitiveness, the interests of farmers and regions. Von der Leyen's proposal is only good for fishermen to use her words.

Mr. President, please. Only the substance of the Commission's 32-point work programme has been omitted. Another €60 billion to arm Ukraine and €130 billion to run the Ukrainian state in two years. The title "For the Independence of Europe" therefore has no relation to reality. The Commission continues to march on the road paved by war, which is our greatest burden. Without peace, there is no economic growth and competitiveness. Until then, all other proposals that are supposed to be aimed at competitiveness and the single market are just beauty patches. It would therefore be urgent for the Commission to support initiatives that promote peace, such as the efforts of President Trump and Hungary to end the war. It must also be seen that Ursula von der Leyen is now paying back to the left the price of remaining in power. They didn't even tell the left that they liked the program. Depriving Member States of additional competences, harmonising pension systems, social and green measures. To this end, the People's Party, which also knows the Tisza Party, assists. Brussels does not want to dictate in areas such as pensions. So far, the only thing that has come out of that is a reduction in emoluments. We Patriots want change, we want the Commission to finally work for peace and for Europe's competitiveness.

I understand, Congresswoman, that you're trying to fix the irreparable. You once said that the worse for Hungary, the better for you. They also said they wouldn't tell them what they wanted to do after the election. It's a story about KATA that you said was abolished by the Orbán government. Do you know that big companies have hired people to fit into KATA, and the wretched have no access to gyes, no bonuses, no social security? This was a circumvention of the system, so I would like to ask you, on what grounds do you dare to say such things, when you have already been discredited 62 times in tax matters, and you are saying and deceiving such things to this audience, which is simply not true?

Dear Mr President, A competitive tax environment is essential to put the European economy on a growth path and improve our global competitiveness. Unfortunately, the von der Leyen Commission continues to play its role as a voluntary world saver rather than serving the interests of European people and companies. Any simplification proposals in this report aimed at creating a competitive tax environment are therefore welcome. However, the Left of this House and the Commission continue to push for a toxic green ideology that is destroying the Union's economy, and this is reflected in the report. He advocates excessive climate targets and would be ideological about what is good or bad investment. This is a Member State competence, and Brussels has no say in this. The report also expects a strong commitment to the implementation of the global minimum tax rules. The international scene has completely changed. Brussels transposed global minimum tax rules too early, while with the agreement of the G7, U.S. corporations will be subject to much more favorable U.S. rules, and tech giants will get away with taxation again, negotiations have stalled. There are no pillars, pillar 2 is mandatory. This puts European companies at a serious disadvantage. Brussels is back up against the wall. We should be champions in tax cuts, not taxation, but the Commission is putting tax-reducing countries at risk. The EU is therefore doing its best to reduce its own competitiveness. It is time for the EU to finally look at its own interests, as others in the world do. We, the Patriots, want a radical change in this.

Madam President, Latin America is a region with enormous potential, as well as being an ally that shares our values. The problem is that EU leaders have been neglecting relations for years and betting on the wrong partners. The European left often collaborates with Latin American authoritarian regimes and keeps the narco-communist regimes of Cuba, Venezuela or Nicaragua alive. He has even intervened openly in electoral processes. Over the last ten years, civil society organisations have received close to €1 billion from the EU. A good part of this money has gone to projects related to gender and ideological issues. How can European taxpayers' money be spend in such a way? Moreover, Brussels is not acting decisively enough against organised crime. He watches with indifference as the drug flows into Europe. I urge the Commission, in cooperation with Washington, to take the lead in the fight against drugs. Enough of the policy of double standards and ideological pressures. More collaboration and respect for the freedom-loving peoples of Latin America.

Dear Madam President, The single market is the foundation of our prosperity. By doing so, the benefits of the Union are tangible. Unfortunately, it is still full of internal obstacles. According to the International Monetary Fund, this would be equivalent to a tariff of 44% for goods and 110% for services. Instead of breaking down barriers, the Commission is focusing on war. Officer, I haven't heard anything new that hasn't been promised before. What should be done? Reducing energy prices, improving interconnections, and not penalising Member States with more difficult geographical conditions than my country, Hungary. There should be equality between the regions. The Commission's hand has always been somehow inclined towards Western Europe, as in the case of the Services Directive or the Mobility Package. The Savings Union is coming. I expect the Commission to take into account the interests of smaller capital markets, especially in Central and Eastern Europe. Without them, there is no local ecosystem. Then the SME: easier funding, simpler and fewer rules, but simplification is sluggish. This is where the Council was blamed. I would like to point out that, because of the left of this House, there is no progress in simplification. The Patriots want change, action. It is time for the Commission to finally focus on what its mandate is about.

Dear fellow Members, This agreement is proof of Europe's weakness and blackmail. The EU is getting sicker. In 2008, it accounted for a quarter of the world economy, today it accounts for 17%. Since yesterday, we have also known that only 11% of the recommended recipe, the Draghi report, was implemented in one year. So let us not be surprised if the Union is treated and humiliated on the international stage, as happened on the golf course in Turnberry. But we know the reason. The Commission has not concealed: It was a political bargain for the U.S. to continue funding Ukraine. So for von der Leyen, Ukraine is more important than its own citizens and businesses. I cannot applaud the fact that we have paid 2-3 percent for exports so far, now we have to pay 15 percent, while American industrial products come in duty-free. This is far from a fair, reciprocal and balanced agreement. Moreover, there was no mention of how the Commission intends to compensate the losing sectors, such as the European winery. The Commission has gone beyond its remit, it promised America “cheap’ purchases, without authorisation, of energy and investments. The 28th of July will be included in the history books as a day of humiliation for Europe.

Dear Madam President, A year ago, President Draghi made a very serious diagnosis of the EU: declining competitiveness, low productivity, high energy prices, stifling administrative burden, low investment, fragmented capital markets and a lack of innovation. However, the Brussels elite parks this, together with the Budapest Declaration, which makes implementation mandatory, in the branch and continues the ideologically based economic policy. He is not doing everything he can to end the Russo-Ukrainian war, which is our greatest burden, beyond the fact that thousands of people die every day. We're gonna crash into it. For this reason, European industry pays more for energy than its American or Chinese competitors. The Commission would penalise Member States buying cheap energy and commit to buying expensive LNG without a mandate. And he would do it all out of debt. The left always spends money that it doesn't, hoping it will come from somewhere. Others first earn the money and then spend it. This is the difference between the world's leading powers and the Union. Europe does not understand the new geopolitics, it is unable to adapt, it is weak. And what is the response of the majority of the EP from the People's Party to the Communists? To indebt future generations with another joint loan, to introduce new EU-wide taxes, while from 2028 almost 1/5 of the EU budget should be spent on debt repayment. It would take away the powers of the Member States in the capital markets so that Brussels can tell us what to invest in. So we'll be ruined. We need to reduce corporate burdens, we need real competitiveness, and we say no to indebtedness.