"The message of our heroes is timeless ... They dreamed of a sovereign Hungary with its own destiny," the statement said.Continue reading
The path of European democratic tradition based on the 1848-49 revolution and freedom fight has no alternative, the opposition Párbeszéd party said in a statement marking the March 15 anniversary on Tuesday.
In 1848, Hungarians wanted freedom, independence and self-governance, Párbeszéd said, adding that those values were vital for all European countries, and each of them had fought against “dictatorship, autocracy and imperial ambitions throughout their history.”
“The war launched by Russian President Vladimir Putin, regrettably, brings the current commemorations, which had become somewhat textbook-like, to life,” the statement said, adding that Ukraine was facing “an expansionist, aggressive empire trying to occupy and destroy it.”
“We are witnessing flesh-and-blood people ready to sacrifice everything for freedom and sovereignty, just like our 1848 heroes,” the statement said.
“Political and ethical divisions are now clear: supporters of freedom, self-determination, equality, democracy, European values and peace are on one side, while there are those who set their store by power and violence, supporting oppressive empires rather than free nations, preferring eastern-type despotism rather than European liberal democracies”.
Párbeszéd slammed the government for making “ambiguous remarks” and representing “false neutrality”, and insisted that leaders were needed who were “not cowed by despots and who do not walk a fine line; those who do not seek the favor of bloody-handed dictator Vladimir Putin … but stand by freedom and sovereignty unfalteringly,” Párbeszéd said.
Featured photo illustration by Tibor Illyés/MTI