The author of the article claims that if Viktor Orban's party wins the April parliamentary elections, the European Union should no longer accept Hungary's membership in the community. As emphasized, German taxpayers cannot continue to finance policies that lead Hungary towards Russia.
“Der Spiegel” described Prime Minister Orban as a “cunning fraudster of democracy” who “undermines the rule of law, represses minorities, attacks press freedom and persecutes the opposition. Recently, he has been conducting an allegedly pacifist election campaign and claims that the EU wants to send young men to war with Russia,” the article reads.
What did the German weekly write about Orbán?
What are the allegations against the Hungarian government?
When will the parliamentary elections be held in Hungary?
What steps does 'Der Spiegel' suggest towards Hungary?
“Der Spiegel” about Orban: let him ask for money in Moscow
In the weekly's opinion, it would be unacceptable to continue tolerating a situation in which the head of the government in Budapest is stoking anti-EU sentiments, blocking the actions of the entire EU, and at the same time using EU funds, feeding, as it was noted, his own corrupt system of power.
“It is often repeated that the exclusion of Hungary (from the EU) is not legally possible. In practice, however, it looks different,” wrote “Der Spiegel”, pointing out, among others, the possibility of limiting access to the single market or depriving Budapest of its voting rights in the EU Council. In the opinion of the weekly, it would be primarily about sending a clear message: “Hungary is welcome as a democratic country, but not with a Putin-style autocrat like Orban.” As it was emphasized, the steps taken would, in practice, mean politically “putting Orban out the door.”
The author of the article also pointed out that negotiations on the EU financial framework for 2028-2034 will begin soon. “Germany, as the largest net payer, must also put pressure on those countries that are still inhibiting actions towards Hungary. If Orban thinks that his real friends are in Moscow, let him ask for money there – not from us,” it concluded.
Reuters reported on Thursday, citing Orban's letter to European Council President Antonio Costa, that the Hungarian Prime Minister had asked the EU to send a fact-finding mission to assess the condition of the Druzhba pipeline in Ukraine. Budapest and Bratislava accuse Kiev of deliberately suspending deliveries of Russian oil through this pipeline, which was damaged in a Russian attack at the end of January. Ukraine announced that it was being renovated.
In response, Hungary and Slovakia released strategic oil reserves and threatened to reduce energy supplies to Ukraine. The government in Budapest also announced blocking the 20th package of EU sanctions against Russia and a loan for Kiev in the amount of EUR 90 billion until the resumption of gas transport.
Parliamentary elections in Hungary will be held on April 12; According to recent polls, the opposition TISHA party is clearly ahead of Orban's Fidesz.
