At the inaugural session of the legislature, the head of state asked Viktor Orbán, the leader of the Fidesz-KDNP list, to form a government for the fifth time.Continue reading
President János Áder on Monday opened the inaugural session of Hungary’s new parliament, calling on lawmakers to “say yes to national interests.”
In his opening address, Áder called on lawmakers to “say yes to national interests, to the prosperity and security of Hungarians, to fact-based debates and joint successes, but say no to self-serving, myopic politics, serving foreign interests, and to discord and lies.”
Hungarian voters have expressed their opinion at the general election, which is “politically and legally indisputable”, Áder said. That decision grants legitimacy to the new parliament and government, and must be respected by all, he said.
Áder proposed that the parliament elect Viktor Orbán as Hungary’s next prime minister. At talks last week, the president asked Orbán to continue to work as Hungary’s prime minister, and the Fidesz leader accepted the nomination, he said.
Áder noted that the 2022 election has seen more observer missions visiting Hungary and, at the same time, fewer procedures seeking legal remedy, than any other election since 1990. The binding results of the election have never been announced as fast as this time, he said.
The president thanked everyone who participated in the election and helped the elections as vote counters. He also thanked those who assessed the appeals so that the new parliament could be formed as soon as possible.
Áder warned Hungary was facing “difficult years to come”, with the coronavirus pandemic lingering, albeit in a “milder form”. “The war in Ukraine also seems to drag out and an economic crisis is about to kick our door down,” he said.
The war is expected to keep prices high and possibly raise them further, Áder said. The new parliament will need “all its experience in crisis management” to steer Hungary amid those circumstances, he said.
“The voters’ mandate is clear… Success requires superhuman effort. But no matter the difficulties, the debates you have to stand your ground in, no matter the vile attacks you will be exposed to, never forget: the country before all,” Áder said.
featured image via Szilárd Koszticsák/MTI