Hungary’s Viktor Orbán has launched an ideological attack on Brussels, according to Politico.
The news outlet states that Orbán is looking for allies to reshape the
European Union and turn the Hungarian presidency, which starts in July,
to his advantage.
In the article “Viktor Orbán’s plan for Europe,” journalist Suzanne
Lynch writes that the Hungarian prime minister is in no danger of losing
power at home, so he has launched an ideological attack on Brussels in
an attempt to influence European political culture. As a means of doing
so, he is using the local office of the Matthias Corvinus College
organization (MCC) and the European Conservative news outlet.
The article references Orbán’s recent speech, which was featured in a
Remix News short, in which the Hungarian leader says that “we have no
choice but to occupy Brussels.”
However, in order to accomplish this, Orbán, whose party has become
“politically homeless” by leaving the European People’s Party (EPP) in
2021, is looking for allies, Politico writes, noting that Fidesz could
join the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR).
According to Politico, Orbán is most outspoken against migration,
bureaucracy, the LGBTQ lobby and support for Ukraine, while he is the
only EU leader to stand up for former U.S. President Donald Trump,
congratulate Russian President Vladimir Putin on his re-election, and
call Chinese President Xi Jinping a friend of his country.
Orbán’s vision of Europe is best illustrated by the way he used the
veto in the European Council, the author points out, citing the
sanctions against Russia, the global tax agreement, and the issue of aid
to Ukraine as examples.
The news outlet cites Orbán’s efforts to “influence” the direction of
discourse and policy in the EU, such as through the nonprofit Batthyány
Lajos Foundation, including funding for the English-language European
Conservative. However, what Politico does not note is that Orbán is
outspent by other Western governments in the magnitude of billions of
euros when it comes to media and influence. For example, Germany’s
Deutsche Welle alone receives hundreds of millions in funding. Brussels
itself funnels billions into NGOs, media outlets, and influence
operations aimed against Orbán and other right-leaning political
parties.
The portal also acknowledges that polls
suggest a right-wing surge in the June European Parliament elections,
which will almost coincide with the start of the Hungarian presidency,
which the prime minister will want to turn to his advantage. They note
that migration and enlargement could be the main topics of Hungary’s
six-month presidency, although on the latter, Hungary would focus only
on the Western Balkans, as opposed to Ukraine.
Politico cites remarks from Orbán made last month, who is likely
looking forward to the right enjoying more power in the coming months.
“I haven’t seen such a good opportunity for national, conservative,
sovereigntist and Christian-based forces to become dominant in the
European Union in a long time,” Orbán said.
Politico wrote in response that “Orbán’s statement was posted on his
social media accounts accompanied by clips of him rubbing shoulders with
right-wing European leaders like Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni,
French far-right leader Marine Le Pen and Slovakia’s Prime Minister
Robert Fico.”
The news outlet also finds it telling that the issue of climate
protection is likely to be left out of the Hungarian presidency’s
agenda.
“All indications are that he will relish his role, which — in
addition to allowing him to put his stamp on EU policy — will provide
him with a place on the global stage,” the article concludes.
Source: Remix News
Click this link for the original source of this article.
Author: Planet Today
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