Accusations rained down on Viktor Orbán ahead of his speech to the European Union Parliament. The head of the Hungarian government is said to be a “total failure”. Hungary’s opposition leader, who is on trial for allegedly throwing a man’s cell phone into the Danube, will also speak.
A heated exchange of votes is underway with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán in the European Parliament. Manfred Weber (CSU), leader of the conservative European People’s Party (EPP), said on Tuesday that Hungary’s EU Council presidency was a “total failure”. The right-wing nationalist has “totally isolated himself” in Europe – partly because of his pro-Russian politics. Other Democrats say Orbán is an intellectual “arsonist” and his government is corrupt.
Orbán plans to address the EU parliament on Wednesday about his country’s priorities as he chairs the EU cabinet this semester. Weber wants to open the next plenary debate and announced Hungarian opposition leader Peter Magyar as the second speaker. Magyar is considered Orban’s main challenger and has been sitting in the EU parliament for the centre-right Tisza party since June’s European elections.
Weber confirmed that the Hungarian judiciary is seeking to waive Magyar’s immunity. According to media reports, the opposition leader will face investigations on charges of embezzlement. Magyar took a man’s cell phone and threw it into the Danube when he filmed it against his will. Weber accused the Hungarian government of “politicizing” the case.
Orban represents the interests of Russia and China
There was also strong criticism of Orbán from other groups in the European Parliament. Iratxe García Pérez, head of the Social Democratic Party, accused the EU’s long-time head of government of “reaching out to the EU’s enemies”. He represents the interests of Russia and China, citing Orban’s visits to Kremlin boss Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the start of his Council presidency in July.
Valerie Heyer, head of the liberal renewal group, called Orbán an intellectual “arsonist” who endangered the European idea. “He wants to burn down a democratic, liberal and tolerant Europe,” he insisted.
Green MEP Daniel Freund accused Orban’s government of “corruption and mismanagement”. 20 billion euros in EU funds for Hungary have been frozen due to allegations of misuse of European budget funds and violations of the law.
Orban wanted to appear in front of the press after arriving in Strasbourg on Tuesday afternoon. The event was organized by a new far-right group called “Patriots for Europe”. In addition to Orbán’s Fidesz party, these include Marine Le Pen’s Rassemblement National (National Rally Movement) and the FPÖ from Austria.
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