Although the situation poses a serious risk to national security, the Hungarian government has not yet reacted to Moscow's ultimatum, while PM Orbán is set to meet with President Putin next week.Continue reading
MPs of the united opposition have submitted a constitutional amendment proposal with the aim of ensuring that Hungary cannot leave NATO or the European Union without a referendum, István Szent-Iványi said at an online press briefing on Saturday.
The opposition parties want to ensure that in the case of international organizations where Hungary’s membership was preceded by a referendum, it should only be possible to decide on a withdrawal based on a valid and successful referendum, the opposition politician said. He recalled that the referendum on joining NATO was held in 1997 and one on joining the EU in 2003.
According to the Fundamental Law, decisions on international treaties cannot be made by referendum, Szent-Iványi said. However, the law also states that the people are the source of public power. Consequently, the people must decide on issues that fundamentally determine the state of Hungary, he said.
The parties of the united opposition believe that Hungary’s place is within the EU, Zita Gurmai, the deputy leader of the Socialists’ parliamentary group, said.
featured image illustration via Sándor Ujvári/MTI