Speeches

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.

Dear Mr President, This Parliament is once again the champion of timing. He runs forward without a role at the negotiating table. A number of people are shouting wolf, which could worsen the EU's already weak negotiating position. Yes, it must be said, ladies and gentlemen, that we are weak. The Commission has weakened the EU on the global stage. Competitiveness, bargaining power, relationships. We have more enemies and rivals than ever before. Moreover, it was difficult for Brussels to swallow who had been elected as president of their own free will overseas. It was a serious strategic mistake to vote for the Democratic candidate. We still suffer from this effect. And the U.S. negotiates from a position of power, so it's not easy. We expect the Commission to defend the interests of the Union, but to be open to innovative solutions. You have to negotiate with a businessman like a businessman. Make the U.S. interested in reaching an agreement with us. The left of the house wants retaliation. They are confident that it will create a lot of jobs. It's also interesting to think that Trump made a deal with a number of countries, including China, the eternal rival, before he made a deal with us, the historic ally. It is also a sign that we are doing something very wrong. The domestic task is to develop a new EU economic policy, not to complement and patch up the Green Deal. It's the only way we'll be competitive. The external aspect is to re-build partnerships in the spirit of connectivity and see what is good for European companies. And it is an illusion to create an alternative WTO with Asia, without China. This would be as useful as sanctions against Russia. Neither the US nor China can be renounced as partners, neither of which can be replaced. Let's stand on the ground with both feet. The market wants predictability. Let the Commission rise to its responsibilities.

Dear Mr President, This Parliament is once again the champion of timing. He runs forward without a role at the negotiating table. A number of people are shouting wolf, which could worsen the EU's already weak negotiating position. Yes, it must be said, ladies and gentlemen, that we are weak. The Commission has weakened the EU on the global stage. Competitiveness, bargaining power, relationships. We have more enemies and rivals than ever before. Moreover, it was difficult for Brussels to swallow who had been elected as president of their own free will overseas. It was a serious strategic mistake to vote for the Democratic candidate. We still suffer from this effect. And the U.S. negotiates from a position of power, so it's not easy. We expect the Commission to defend the interests of the Union, but to be open to innovative solutions. You have to negotiate with a businessman like a businessman. Make the U.S. interested in reaching an agreement with us. The left of the house wants retaliation. They are confident that it will create a lot of jobs. It's also interesting to think that Trump made a deal with a number of countries, including China, the eternal rival, before he made a deal with us, the historic ally. It is also a sign that we are doing something very wrong. The domestic task is to develop a new EU economic policy, not to complement and patch up the Green Deal. It's the only way we'll be competitive. The external aspect is to re-build partnerships in the spirit of connectivity and see what is good for European companies. And it is an illusion to create an alternative WTO with Asia, without China. This would be as useful as sanctions against Russia. Neither the US nor China can be renounced as partners, neither of which can be replaced. Let's stand on the ground with both feet. The market wants predictability. Let the Commission rise to its responsibilities.

Dear Madam President, Dear fellow Members, Connecting as wide a range of countries as possible is essential for the recovery of the European economy and for improving competitiveness. We can strengthen through connectivity. To do this, however, it is necessary to give up the ideological struggle to divide the world into good and bad, and to trade only with the good. The new geopolitical situation also requires us to put our relations with China in order. Let us finally accept that there will be no democratic rule of law in our sense, and that we will not agree on everything. We can still trade for mutual benefit. This resumption would be the task of the EU-China summit at the end of July. It must be acknowledged that it is not only like-minded political systems that can be productively co-operated. The United States, which has declared China its main enemy, has already been able to reach an agreement with Asian power on certain issues. So let's be able to do it. Let's reduce addiction, let's stand on more legs. And, of course, let's not be naive. Let's make China interested in relations with us. We look at what is good for European companies and what creates jobs. Negotiations and results can only be achieved in the language of mutual respect.

Dear Mr President, Dear fellow Members, We have said many times that Brussels' ideological economic policy has resulted in slow growth, low productivity, little innovation and high energy prices in Europe. According to the IMF, the U.S. economy is growing three times faster this year than ours. Since the Draghi report, it is no secret that we are severely lacking in resources. In a negative story, the European Investment Bank is a positive player because, unlike the Commission, it makes investment decisions on a relatively rational basis and focuses on SMEs. The Budapest Declaration calls for increased engagement on its part, which I support, as well as for simplifying the conditions for accessing EIB loans and significantly increasing the EIB's loan guarantee facility. The bank must maintain its excellent credit rating, because only in this way can it obtain cheap credit and continue to lend. For this to happen, it is essential that its operation continues to be guided by economic rationality. The Bank should also play its part in investment in the defence industry and nuclear energy development and help to realise the long-term development vision of the Member States. I therefore say 'yes' to the bank's activities, but 'no' to this parliamentary report. I would warn you, I would say to the EIB representative if he were here, not to give in to ideological pressure from my fellow Members on the left. This is what they are trying to do in this report. The financing of certain investments would be subject to conditions, such as a code of conduct on human rights as a condition for access to finance, and third countries would be educated on the rule of law, democracy and gender ideology. We know them well. Thank you very much, we don't want any. This is not economic rationality, this is ideology. And I've never heard of a successful bank that was able to do business on that basis. Licensing should be based on market needs and on the principle of equal treatment, and in any case not on political criteria. The Hungarian opposition, therefore, has an enlightenment. I hope that actions will follow.

Thank you for your question. You know very well that the judiciary in Hungary handles corruption extremely harshly. There were cases, and they're under the proper procedure, and whoever's supposed to be in prison is there. If you are aware of any case, please go and report it to the police and you can be sure that there will be proper justice. The accusations, the general accusations we experienced here in the previous debate, have no place. By the way, it could be agreed that everyone should have domestic politics in their own house, and that Hungarian voters should decide whether they like the government or not.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, in Spain, for years, not a day has passed without a corruption scandal linked to the socialist government, the Sánchez family or the PSOE. The Judiciary is under pressure, the Prosecutor's Office is under political orders and the Constitution is no longer sacrosanct to the left. The European Public Prosecutor's Office has processed more than 311 notifications in Spain, worth €2.8 billion in damages. The European Court of Auditors states that it has identified serious problems in the use of European funds. What about Brussels' answer? Well... none. And what if conservatives rule? They take away your funds and organise a debate about you in plenary every month, as is the case with my homeland, Hungary. The Poles have already learned. If they vote according to the taste of Brussels, they are given the money. This is called hypocrisy and double standards politics. And as it is very fashionable to give political advice, I have one for the PP: to have the courage to go to the polls, so that the Spaniards can elect a new Executive.

You have recently been delighted to quote: "the deteriorating standard of living of Hungarians strengthens the opposition". I would like to ask you whether you are planning further actions and colluding with the Commission in the remaining time before the elections, so that Hungarians do not have access to the resources that are due to them for railway renovation, hospital renovation, infrastructure development or the positioning of small and medium-sized enterprises?

Dear Madam President, The report recognises problems in many places, there are delays in the disbursement of funds, transparency issues and the Commission applies double standards. However, its conclusions go astray. Firstly, we cannot allow the RRF to serve as a model for future EU funding. This would result in Brussels making the disbursement of most funds subject to its own arbitrary political conditions. We know what we are talking about, because the left-wing elite in Brussels is still wrongfully withholding the recovery money due to the Hungarian people, simply because we Hungarians think in a different homeland and in a different Europe along the lines of traditional values. We cannot allow the Von der Leyen cabinet's loneliness to determine access to EU funds in the future. Secondly, the report calls for the introduction of new taxes at European level so that the EU can repay the joint loan taken out under the RRF. We patriots say no to that. We are clearly advocating that the consequences of Brussels' flawed policy should not be passed on to European taxpayers. Perhaps the left should not have made an irresponsible decision and indebted the future generation. Thirdly, this House would once again disregard the EU Treaties and seek to increase its influence beyond its sphere of competence. If it were up to you, the left-wing MEPs, the European Parliament could already have a say in the design of Member States' recovery plans. It's a mistaken role. I therefore call on you to respect the rules of the game and on the Commission to stop political blackmail and to pay the money due to the Member States. Learn from the mistakes of the RRF and do not use it as a model when planning the next multi-annual budgetary framework.

Madam President, I'm sorry. This report bears all the hallmarks of a misguided left-wing economic policy. He acknowledges that Europe has competitiveness problems and competition is not such a curse word anymore, but it does not face the main problems. You on the left can't understand that without a fundamental turn, we're just going downhill. With some cosmetics, they remain in the venomous green ideology, which has failed. Factories settling abroad, expensive products and services, excessive rules, unaffordable energy prices remained behind. No wonder there is no economic growth. The rest of the world, on the other hand, does not redeem the world, but looks to its own interests. It attracts investment and companies with a business-friendly environment, i.e. much cheaper energy prices and easily accessible financing. The Commission should also act in this regard. Competition policy should ensure a level playing field between the different regions of the single market and improve global competitiveness – not against Member States, but in cooperation with them. Flexible State aid rules are needed to support the European economy in a simple, rapid and effective way and to offset international disparities.

Mr. President, please. In the current turbulent period, there is a need for strategic calm, just no haste, no threats. You have to think coldly about what's in Europa's best interest. It's definitely not a trade war. That would do the most harm to our own citizens, our companies and our industry. Supply chains would be damaged, prices would rise, companies would be lost. It was a serious strategic mistake that the Brussels mainstream clearly voted in favour of the Democratic candidate before the elections. The correction came too late. We should finally get used to Brussels trying to tell the citizens of certain countries what kind of government to vote for. We expect the Commission to deal with the situation through effective negotiations. Be open to innovative solutions. You have to negotiate with a businessman like a businessman, and at the same time you have to tidy up our own reception. We must finally cut red tape, have fewer and simpler rules, put an end to the ideological, economic and trade policies of the last five years, protect farmers and make the internal market more attractive. In this way, Europe can remain open to all in the hope of mutual benefit. Only in this way can we regain our competitiveness and become once again a major player in international affairs.

Dear Mr President, The first step in correcting Brussels' flawed economic policy is to improve competitiveness. This requires investment, but not credit. As Patriots, we will not allow future generations to be dragged into debt. Deepening the capital market and mobilising private capital is a good way forward. The capital market should be easily accessible to citizens and businesses, as stated in the Budapest Declaration. But a few comments: The first is that Europe's risk appetite will never be the same as America's. Encouraging a complete cultural shift is an illusion, but instead we need to create a business-friendly environment here that keeps and mobilizes savings. Less and more reasonable rules: That's the key. Second, the common market in capital is important for all Member States to provide the same opportunities. The third: the link between savings and investment should be left to the market, without politics or ideology. The Commission should not want to dictate, but should build on good practices and opinions from Member States. Do not focus, but seek synergy. Respect the competences of the Member States, in particular in supervisory and tax matters. We patriots will continue to fight for a fair business environment based on the needs of the market.

Mr. President, please. The European Semester was established in 2011 under the Hungarian Presidency in order to coordinate the economic processes of the Member States and to ensure financial discipline. The left is now pushing its own ideological convictions instead of the topic. It is not enough that the framework has now lost its original macroeconomic focus, you on the left are fighting to ensure that the Commission can hold Member States accountable for as many issues of national competence as possible. I would like to thank the rapporteur for his efforts to prevent this as much as possible. The CSRs should only cover areas of EU competence and should in no way apply double standards. Unfortunately, you did not want to see any reference to this in this report. You will continue to stand up for green ideology when it has become crystal clear how harmful it is to the European economy. You encourage further borrowing, we patriots do not want our grandchildren to pay the price of your ideological campaign. Instead, we believe in cooperation for the competitiveness of the Member States, where no one is coerced into ideologically based economic policies.

Madam President, I'm sorry. I first remembered a meme about the Commission's latest strategy, which portrays the EU as a rainbow-colored plug-in tank whose leader reads a rule book. Then I remembered that we already had a strategy, full of objectives, called the Lisbon Strategy, and it didn't turn out to be anything. We wanted to be the most competitive region in the world by 2010, and now we want to be the most circular. Meanwhile, industrial production fell by 0.8% in December. This is the result of the misguided economic policies of recent years. The clean industry strategy will not change anything. It's a relabelled green pact. The Commission wants 40% of the ingredients in clean tech products to be produced in the EU. Today, solar panels and windmills are almost exclusively produced in China. So I ask you, how realistic is that? Has a feasibility analysis been carried out? We need measures to help industry and people in the short term. This would include, for example, an immediate reduction in energy prices. Instead, Brussels is continuing its campaign against the reduction of utility bills and wants to phase out subsidies for fossil energy projects. The patriots will not assist you with this. We don't want ideological economics.

Mr. President, please. Good morning, European Commission, I'm glad you're awake! The previous body, in the spirit of leftist ideologies and ill-considered greening, imposed around 850 new obligations and 5,000 pages of legislation on European businesses, with this House assisting from the People's Party to the Communists. And the pinnacle of hypocrisy is that these same factions are now in a state of ecstasy of simplification. Omnibuses 1 and 2 came too late and few. All that's happening is they're trying to make up for past misfortunes. We on the right, together with business advocacy, have said that the direction is wrong. You've hurt Europe, you're anti-European. Although the proposal seeks to simplify, the level of ambition falls short of what is necessary. We need more than just beautification. We should look at what are the main problems on the regulatory side, i.e. what are the main obstacles preventing companies from accessing funding, developing and concentrating on their core business rather than reporting. They are not bold enough to approach the taxonomy, so they continue to discriminate between investments on ideological grounds. Green ideology will remain, and it will once again defeat competitiveness. Of course, access to finance would also be improved if, for political reasons, you did not also withhold EU funds from my country. In the EU, it is not necessary to educate each other, but to work together for prosperity. Unfortunately, you are also working against this. European businesses deserve more than that. We need a real business-friendly turnaround with real burden reduction. That's what we patriots will work for.

Dear Madam President, The Hungarian presidency, which ended in December, gave the EU a chance to take a new direction. I urge you to continue on this path to make Europe great again. We have a political presidency with clear goals. We have been thinking strategically for a strong Europe. That's why the Prime Minister went on a peace mission. As long as there is no peace in Europe, we cannot be strong. We worked in an unprecedented counterwind. From the People's Party to the Left, you have issued the wrong certificate in advance. For eighteen dossiers, the EP blocked, which was 18 wasted options. Ursula von der Leyen has rejected the principle of sincere cooperation. Then, in December, our political opponents thanked us for our work. It is time to overcome Orbán's phobia, because the results are undeniable. The Budapest Declaration for the Competitiveness of the Union was born. Bulgaria and Romania became part of the Schengen Area. We relaunched the frozen enlargement negotiations in the Western Balkans, started defence industrial cooperation and laid the foundations for a farmer-friendly common agricultural policy. In the fight against illegal migration, we have put the emphasis on protecting borders and expulsions. I ask the Commission to work along these lines. The patriots will demand this of you.

Dear Mr President, Maduro and his regime want to keep power through electoral fraud. He unfairly influenced the electoral system, forbade candidates from running, brutally retaliated against protests, imprisoned opposition figures, exiled them abroad, and even persecuted them there. He stole the presidency from the real winner of the July elections, Edmundo González Urrutia, and now he can only sustain himself through abuse and violence. Despite the fact that the election files undoubtedly prove González's victory, the regime prevented him from returning home on the day of the presidential inauguration. The opposition leader, María Corina Machado, was arrested and released as a result of international outrage. In the end, Maduro took the presidency again, although only González would have had the right to do so. Quietly, I note that the Biden administration even increased its oil imports from Venezuela last year, thereby prolonging the regime's survival. As far as I know, the heating of American citizens does not depend on this. Maduro continues to defame the democratic opposition in Venes. I know this well, it was also the tactics of the Hungarian Communists in connection with the 1956 revolution. Communism sometimes changes clothes, but it doesn't change. I ask the People's Party to be a partner so that a strong decision can be made in this house. The Council to recognise President González and to stand with us in the fight for a democratic Venezuela. The commitment and courage of the Venezuelan Democrats must not be in vain. Hungary and the patriots are still with them and support them in their fight for freedom, democracy and human rights. ¡Estamos con Ustedes, patriotas venezolanos!

Mr. President, please. Europe has spent the last few years under the misconception that it can stop global warming on its own. He takes on all its costs, sets a good example, and then everyone follows. That's not how it happened. The foolish legislation of the last five years, conceived in the spirit of green ideology, has impaired the competitiveness of the Union. The Commission has often failed to assess the impact of this. It has placed an unbearable burden on the European economy and population, putting at risk the sustainability of the European welfare model. People outside the EU did not use this recipe. This was a typical example of shooting in one's own foot. It is a great step forward that, as a result of the Budapest declaration of the Heads of State and Government, no legislation can be passed without an impact assessment and a competitiveness filter, and the administrative burden must also be reduced within six months. The People's Party promised change during the campaign, then deceived its voters and teamed up with the venomous green left. In this debate, the EPP is acting as if they have not voted in favour of greening legislation. Are you suffering from amnesia, fellow Members? The Patriots are calling for change. We expect reasonable proposals from the Commission, we protect agriculture and industry, and we will only adopt rules adapted to our ability to pay.

Dear Mr President, The Letta and Draghi reports set out what Europeans, workers, farmers and companies have felt on their own skin for years. Instead of taking a step forward, it's a challenge to stay on top. It is more difficult to pay the bills, you can hardly develop, invest, produce. This is the loss of competitiveness on a daily basis. Since then, it has become clear that the situation is even more serious. The business climate in the eurozone is at its lowest point. Terrifying news is coming from France and Germany. Emblematic European companies announce redundancies. The problems of the two leading economies in the euro area spill over into the whole region. The 0.8% growth expected by the Commission this year is rather stagnant. This is the result of crises and bad economic policies in the EU over the past decade and a half. Legislation steeped in ideology has put Europe at a disadvantage compared to its competitors. Excessively pushing for the green transition, a flawed sanctions policy and an increase in the administrative burden for firms have now put at risk the sustainability of the European economic model, the welfare society itself, of which we are so proud. This is the legacy of Mrs von der Leyen's First Committee. The Hungarian Presidency has thus rightly placed improving competitiveness at the heart of its programme. The Budapest Declaration is the highest commitment of the leaders of 27 Member States to remedy the damage and to take a new direction. There is a need for immediate and substantial action, with specific deadlines, which are worthy of the potential of the strength of the Single Market. I hope and hope that the new Commission will be a partner in all this, although I have been very concerned since this morning, since the previous speeches. What the President of the Commission has said shows that he is ignoring the words of millions of European citizens calling for change. Not just his words, but his vote. He's like the Bourbons, he learns nothing. It also forgets its own electoral promises, such as the adjustment of the Green Pact. But back to the statement. An important step in the Budapest Declaration is the simplification revolution. The Commission has promised for a year, but it has not done so. But now, within six months, it must come up with a concrete plan to cut red tape by 25%. Furthermore, no legislation can be drawn up in the future without an impact assessment and a competitiveness test. I propose that this should also apply to Parliament's amendments, so that the responsibility of the honourable colleagues would also be greater. There is no turnaround in competitiveness without investment. This also requires mobilising public and private funding, as we lose EUR 300 billion a year due to obstacles in the financial market. All this money is flowing to America. The statement is clear: within six months, the Commission should come up with a concrete roadmap to remove barriers to the Single Market and take concrete steps to deepen the Capital Markets Union by '26. There is no European among the 20 largest companies in the world. Three percent of GDP will now be spent on research, development and innovation. Europe is an open economy, and connectivity is vital in order to trade as freely as possible in as many directions as possible. Agreements should not be a lesson to the partners, but a mutual benefit, because dialogue can achieve much more. We must restore the honor of the farmers. Agricultural policy should not be burdened with new, costly rules. A lot has been promised in the campaign, but what we have seen since then is the opposite. We patriots will do everything we can to strengthen European agriculture. We need a new industrial strategy, affordable energy. To this end, we expect immediate reforms from the Commission. It's time to get to work, ladies and gentlemen. Less ideological chatter, more work and collaboration. The Heads of State and Government succeeded. We have to be able to do the same. I urge the Commission to come up with an action plan with pragmatic, business-friendly solutions in the first 100 days, and the European Council not to let go of control, to hold this Parliament and the Commission to account for everything. Let's make Europe great again.

Dear Madam President, The Single Market is the most understandable value of the Union. Cheaper flights, or the advantage of being able to make free phone calls with loved ones at home, don't need to be explained. We have also had some bitter experiences. Services Directive, Posted Workers, Mobility Package. When adopting them, the Commission has always put the interests of Western Europeans first. Where the EU's eastern half is more competitive, it did not want to break down barriers. The challenge is therefore to deepen the Single Market in areas that enhance competitiveness and make life easier for citizens and companies, regardless of their geographical location. Do not centralize where the smaller or underdeveloped are badly off. Therefore, more connections, but for example the centralisation of the energy or telecommunications sector, should not be discouraged, local actors should not disappear, and the service should not become more expensive. Interoperability between financial markets is a good way to go, but be careful to unify national supervisors, not to stifle smaller national capital markets, without which there is no local ecosystem. Mr President, you mentioned the fifth freedom, the movement of knowledge. That's really cool. I am just asking why the European Commission is blocking the participation of Hungarian researchers in the Horizon programme or the movement of Hungarian students within the framework of the Erasmus programme. Without compensating for regional differences, there is no competitiveness. Brain drain must be combated. Prosperity on the ground should be encouraged. Let us keep cohesion policy as it was conceived to counterbalance the single market, where it has created difficulties. This must be maintained without conditioning, because it has become a harsh political tool in the hands of the Commission.

Dear Mr President, President Draghi has given the diagnosis, and the French President is also saying that the EU could die if it does not become more competitive. Today, the welfare model of the Union is under threat. People feel it on their skin. In the European manufacturing sector alone, 850,000 jobs have been lost in five years. We need to act now. At the same time, the EP, from the People's Party to the Communists, works exclusively to secure its own power, isolates the Patriots supported by 18 million voters by playing dirty, and tries to interfere with the Hungarian Presidency. I ask the House to finally start working. The misguided policies of the left-wing majority must be corrected. We need a business- and innovation-friendly environment, a reduction in administrative burdens, affordable energy and an ideology-free economic policy. The green transition needs to be adapted to our carrying capacity. Instead of blocking and teaching, we need to strengthen connections with our external partners. Next week, the European Council should give clear guidance to several institutions to adopt the new competitiveness pact in November. From now on, this house should not hinder, but help the Union to become more competitive.

Madam President, I'm sorry. We can safely say that God created Venezuela in good spirits. However, the communist regime, which had been in power for twenty-five years, completely destroyed the country, which had been flourishing until then. There is a lack of basic food and medicines. 8 million people have been forced to leave their country. Hungary had to evacuate more than a thousand veneers with Hungarian ancestry. I'm glad they found success with us. In order for Maduro's communist regime to retain power, he committed serious fraud in the July presidential election. It has unfairly influenced the electoral system, banned candidates from running, imprisoned opponents, and even persecuted its refugee citizens abroad. The polling district minutes have not been made public to this day, but the system operated by the opposition clearly proves that their candidate won with overwhelming power. González Urrutia, like many of his compatriots, was severely persecuted but later released by the regime rather than being at home. It is unacceptable for the Maduros to strike the protesters with iron fists. Retaliation killed at least 27 people and injured 192. There are nearly 2,000 political prisoners, including Europeans. By the way, 1673 of the 2000s were also taken into custody after the elections. At least 60 minors are still being held. The reaction of Borrel and his socialist comrades is weak and misogenic, and they are reluctant to take a clear stand. They point out to Hungary that there is no tougher resolution because of us. Let us be very clear that we are in favour of the Union acting much bolder and more decisively. By acknowledging the victory of González Urrutia, we can force the Maduros to negotiate a peaceful transition so that power can be taken over by the opposition leader who won the election on 10 January, in accordance with the Constitution. Thank you for the presence of the opposition leaders. We Hungarians and the members of the Patriots Group in this House are always on the side of freedom and democracy. We are with you, Venezuelan patriots.

Madam President, I'm sorry. I agree with President Draghi's diagnosis, we are lagging behind. Excessive greening ambitions of ideologically driven economic policy and overregulation have led to this. The Commission in run-off, as well as this House, from the People’s Party to the Communists, have a huge responsibility. As far as the recipe is concerned, the picture is more mixed. I am pleased that the problem of demographic winter is presented in this report as a factor of competitiveness. We in Hungary have been trying to deal with family policy in the headwinds for years. Mr. President would satisfy the investment hunger with further borrowing, and instead of seeking consensus, he calls for majority decision-making, even though more federalism does not make sense. The common agricultural and cohesion policies are underestimated by Draghi when they would just improve competitiveness. Centralisation of the energy, telecommunications and capital markets can be problematic for small players and the CEE region. They don't want to put Western market giants at our expense. Instead, we need a business- and innovation-friendly business environment, reduced administrative burdens and affordable energy prices. This requires an end to the war. The pace of the green transition needs to be adapted to our ability to bear the burden. This is what the Budapest Competitiveness Summit in November will be about.

Mr. President, please. On the positive side, the reform of the fiscal framework continues to focus on curbing indebtedness. The rules will become more flexible and Member States will have more room for manoeuvre. I also welcome the fact that interest, defence and EU co-financing expenditure will be better taken into account when establishing the deficit. This is particularly important in times of distress such as these, when war is raging in the neighbourhood, the competitiveness of the Union is in a state of crisis, Member States are struggling with high debts and deficits, and economic growth is weak. At the same time, I regret that the left has, as usual, fought for ideologies rather than practical solutions in the negotiations. It would fill the European Semester with social issues, continue to indebt the EU, sacrifice the balance of the budget on the altar of greening, fight for powers that are contrary to the Treaties in order to increase their own power, to a large extent in order to hold the Member States to account. Fortunately, most of these efforts have been reduced. Finally, a compromise was reached which guarantees budgetary balance along objective indicators, does not undermine growth and limits the Commission's influence while increasing Member States' ownership. One more remark: I only hope that the post-election Commission will act impartially in disbursing EU funds and will stop the ideological criminal campaign against my country in this term.