{"id":41370,"date":"2021-03-12T16:00:05","date_gmt":"2021-03-12T15:00:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/libmod.de\/?p=41370"},"modified":"2021-03-15T16:17:43","modified_gmt":"2021-03-15T15:17:43","slug":"we-will-put-an-end-to-the-corrupt-and-anti-democratic-rule-of-viktor-orban-interview-with-mep-anna-julia-donath","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/libmod.de\/en\/we-will-put-an-end-to-the-corrupt-and-anti-democratic-rule-of-viktor-orban-interview-with-mep-anna-julia-donath\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cWe will put an end to the corrupt and anti-democ\u00adratic rule of Viktor Orban.\u201d \u2014 Interview with MEP Anna J\u00falia Don\u00e1th"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

\"Foto:
Foto: Shutter\u00adstock, Zoltan Galantai<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=\u201d.vc_custom_1508253699488{margin-top: 30px !important;}\u201d][vc_column width=\u201c2\/3\u201d css=\u201d.vc_custom_1508252387886{padding-right: 20px !important;}\u201d][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Anna Donath, MEP, comments on Orban\u2019s FIDESZ Party leaving the European People Party\u2019s (EPP) faction in the European Parliament and a new alliance of the Hungarian opposition gainst the anti-european Prime Minister. (Die deutsche \u00dcbersetzung des Inter\u00adviews finden Sie hier.<\/a>)<\/h3>\n

<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Viktor Orb\u00e1n decided last week that his Fidesz Party left the group of the christian democ\u00adratic EPP in the European Parliament. Why he did that now and not before?<\/em><\/p>\n

The relationship between Orban\u2019s Fidesz and the EPP has been full of conflict for the last few years. The author\u00adi\u00adtarian politics and EU shaming of Viktor Orban were no longer tolerable for the European conser\u00adv\u00ada\u00adtives. However, the members of Fidesz did not decide to leave the EPP, they were made to by the new policies imple\u00admented by EPP.<\/p>\n

The EPP to years ago had suspended membership of Fidesz but had hesitated to throw the party out although Orb\u00e1n and his government violate main values of the EU and of the christian democ\u00adratic party family as rule of law. What do You think are the reasons for that? And why they changed now their view shortly before Orb\u00e1ns move?<\/em><\/p>\n

I think the EPP should have been more strict. They were reluctant to act against Fidesz, mostly because it would\u2019ve meant losing valuable members. They changed their views due to the many issues they could no longer ignore, such as the remarks made by Tamas Deutsch about the party family or the many accusa\u00adtions of Orban. The leaders of EPP were no longer able to sweep these under the carpet.<\/p>\n

However, it needs to be empha\u00adsized that the actual conse\u00adquences of this breakup are yet to be seen. This could be just mere acting insofar as Fidesz retains a close relationship with EPP and would support their policies from the outside. There have been examples for such affil\u00adi\u00ada\u00adtions, i.e. the torys of the UK with the EPP.<\/p>\n

It is also worth\u00adwhile to note that the coalition partner of Fidesz, KDNP (Christian Democ\u00adratic People\u2019s Party) retained its membership within the EPP group.<\/p>\n

What does Orb\u00e1ns step say about his further policy in the EU?<\/em><\/p>\n

I think Orban made it clear that he no longer considers himself a conser\u00adv\u00adative, moderate politician. Fidesz will continue towards a far-right shift that they have been promoting for a long time now.<\/p>\n

Will it be now more difficult for him to carry through his nation\u00adalist interests in the EU, because he miss his connec\u00adtions to christian democ\u00adratic and conser\u00adv\u00adative heads of govern\u00adments, and to form alliances with other East European governments?<\/em><\/p>\n

If Fidesz really joins the far right, it might be even easier for them to push their illiberal agenda as no restric\u00adtions will be imposed upon them. Their ability to actually achieve anything might be weakened though, without the powerful allies in EPP.<\/p>\n

Will Fidesz now join the group of anti European right wing parties in the EP?<\/em><\/p>\n

That is an option for sure, but you have to ask someone from Fidesz about it.<\/p>\n

Do You think other East European Parties will follow him and Fidesz?<\/em><\/p>\n

I trust that they will stay committed to the EU and its core values which cannot be said of Fidesz.<\/p>\n

Will the separation of Fidesz from EPP help the opposition in Hungary or will it enforce support for Orb\u00e1n in public?<\/em><\/p>\n

I think Fidesz lost some face even in Hungary after being kicked out of a major European party. Naturally, Orban will try to control the narrative and suggest that this is a victory for Fidesz and Hungary alike. On the other hand, the Hungarian people are starting to see through the act of Orban and are getting bored hearing about new enemies each week. Our job, as the opposition, is to talk about the facts and promote the values of the EU since Orban will hardly do such a thing.<\/p>\n

Is there enough support by the EU and in the EP for the opposition in Your country, in Poland and other countries in the East? What would you like to see?<\/em> Some critics of Orb\u00e1n and his policy in the West demand to exclude Hungary from the EU. What do You think about that?<\/em><\/p>\n

Hungary does not equal Orban. It is important to under\u00adstand that the majority of Hungarian society is committed to the EU and does not wish to leave at all. We need to get rid of Orban and his corrupt system so we can start to work together with the other Member States in the creation of a new and just Union based on the core values of freedom and democracy. With the new rule of law mechanism, the EU has an oppor\u00adtunity to effec\u00adtively step up against the illiberal regimes such as Orban\u2019s. This is a new chapter that might help the fight against Orban\u2019s illiberal regime, but it will not solve all our problems. The EU can help but it is up to us, the Hungarian people, to fight for a real change.<\/p>\n

And what about financial sanctions? Would that help?<\/em><\/p>\n

We are against imposing financial sanctions against Hungary as they would hurt the Hungarian people more than they would hurt Orb\u00e1n. However, we might use the possi\u00adbility of such sanctions as an oppor\u00adtu\u00adnitiy to strengthen the oversight over EU funds. This oversight is much needed to ensure that EU funds are spent on the things that matter the most, instead of contributing to the wealth of Orban\u2019s family and friends. Healthcare, education, and the job market are all fields that need the support of the EU, especially during these hard times. We need to ensure the devel\u00adopment of Hungary as a whole instead of the elite connected to Fidesz.<\/p>\n

How is the mood in Hungary for the moment especially in view of the Corona crisis? Does Orb\u00e1ns attitude as an author\u00adi\u00adtarian leader help him or is he loosing support?<\/em><\/p>\n

As soon as he is facing real troubles, not the ones created by propa\u00adganda, Orban is losing control over the situation. Right now, as people are losing loved ones and are suffering the financial conse\u00adquences of the virus, the government is unable to provide the necessary support for the country. They keep talking about defeating the virus and winning the war but fail to realize that there are no winners in this fight. There is only suffering and loss and the way things go there will be even more due to the lack of government support.<\/p>\n

The Hungarian opposition is deeply divided, like in Poland. How can there be a chance to replace Orb\u00e1n and Fidesz, and when?<\/em><\/p>\n

The Hungarian opposition is no longer divided. A few weeks ago, the six major opposition parties declared their alliance against the Fidesz regime. Pre-elections will be held to find the most suitable candi\u00addates who will be supported by all the other opposition parties in the general elections in 2022. The country is uniting and our chances have never looked so good. I am confident that together we will be able to put an end to the corrupt and anti-democ\u00adratic rule of Viktor Orban.<\/p>\n

\"Textende\"[\/vc_column_text][vc_separator][vc_column_text]Hat Ihnen unser Beitrag gefallen? Dann spenden Sie doch einfach und bequem \u00fcber unser Spendentool. Sie unter\u00adst\u00fctzen damit die publizis\u00adtische Arbeit von LibMod.<\/p>\n

Spenden mit Bankeinzug<\/h2>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]