Márki-Zay Slams PM for “Betraying” Hungary’s Western Allies Ahead of Putin-Orbán Meeting

Hungary Today 2022.01.29.

Viktor Orbán is “conducting relations with Moscow solely for his own personal financial and political interests,” and in doing so, he has “betrayed” Hungary’s Western allies and the country’s “historical traditions,” the united opposition’s candidate for prime minister, Péter Márki-Zay, said in reaction to Viktor Orbán’s upcoming meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Although the conflict between Russia and Ukraine has been rapidly escalating, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is still scheduled to visit Vladimir Putin in Moscow on February 1st, to discuss several topics including the Paks 2 nuclear power plant project, the extension of Hungary’s gas supply contract, and the production of Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine in Hungary.

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The Paks 2 nuclear power plant project will be one of the most important matters of discussion, Foreign Minister Szijjártó said.Continue reading

In reaction to the Putin-Orbán meeting, Péter Márki- Zay, the opposition’s candidate for PM, slammed the Hungarian Prime Minister on social media on Thursday.

In his post, Márki-Zay noted that Hungary striving for good relations with Russia is not the problem, adding that the “new government” will also do its utmost to develop economic and cultural relations and to shape the relationship between the two countries in the spirit of mutual respect.

However, according to the united opposition’s candidate for prime minister, Viktor Orbán is instead conducting relations with Moscow solely for his “own personal financial and political interests.”

Because of this, in recent years “Hungary has betrayed its Western allies, betrayed the small Baltic states, betrayed Poland and Ukraine, and betrayed all those who are threatened by state terror in Russia for their political opinions,” Márki-Zay continues.

In addition to all this, the politician believes Viktor Orbán has betrayed Hungary’s “historical traditions” as well, the martyrs of 1948 and 1956, and the country’s thousand-year-old dream of western integration.

“While Viktor Orbán is turning to the East to ensure his own survival, I am turning to the West to seek those with whom we can ensure Hungary’s progress. First of all, those Hungarians who left the country because they wanted to live in freedom and prosperity. I send them the message that we will put an end to the Fidesz economic policy based on a weak forint and low wages, and we will stop the creeping dictatorship. We will create a free world! A Hungary for all of us,” Márki-Zay concluded his post.

Fact

In his regular weekly interview with Kossuth radio, in reaction to the opposition’s suggestion that “Putin ordered” him to visit Moscow, PM Orbán said the Hungarian public “knows very well we cannot be ordered anywhere,” adding that “Hungary is a sovereign country; its government and leaders are acting in a sovereign manner.” The Prime Minister said he would negotiate at next’s week’s Hungary-Russia summit to increase gas supplies as part of Hungary’s long-term contract with Russia. The Prime Minister, however, added that it was “inevitable” that besides economic matters, European security issues would be on the summit’s agenda. “Hungary’s stance is clear: we have an interest in maintaining peace.” Orbán stressed that since Hungary is a member of NATO and the EU, he regularly consults with the country’s allies “before every such meeting”.

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Reacting to the opposition's suggestion that "Putin ordered" him to visit Moscow, Orbán said the Hungarian public "very well knows we cannot be ordered anywhere."Continue reading

Featured photo via Budapest mayor Gergely Karácsony’s Facebook page