10+1 quotes from Hungarian politicians on the anniversary of the country's EU accession

May 02. 2024. – 08:33 AM

10+1 quotes from Hungarian politicians on the anniversary of the country's EU accession
Illustration: Ferenc Bakró-Nagy / Telex

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Hungary joined the European Union 20 years ago on 1 May. We took a brief look at what some of the country's politicians considered important to communicate to the world on this occasion.

1. Tamás Deutsch, MEP, Head of the Fidesz delegation to the European Parliament and the party's EP list leader:

The main lesson of 20 years of EU membership = Change is needed in Brussels! That's all.

2. Csaba Dömötör, Fidesz MP, Parliamentary State Secretary:

This is not the European Union we dreamed of.

3. Eszter Vitályos, Government Spokesperson, State Secretary for Government Communications, MP:

We want a Europe that doesn’t recklessly enter into war, one that doesn’t allow millions of migrants to enter and believes in the power of nation states.

4. Ádám Kósa, Fidesz-KDNP MEP:

20 years ago, when we entered the EU, we would never have imagined that today Europe would be living in an era of crises.

5. Tamás Menczer, Fidesz MP, Fidesz-KDNP's communications director:

This is not what we were promised! Change is needed in Brussels!

6. Gergely Karácsony, Mayor of Budapest:

We had a historic opportunity and we unfortunately blew it, specifically the Orbán government, which has been in power for more than two thirds of these two decades did.

7. Szilárd Németh Government Commissioner, MP, Vice-Chairman of Fidesz:

Twenty years ago, we joined the EU because of two fundamental European values: PEACE and PROSPERITY. We must bring these back to Brussels on 9 June.

8. László Trócsányi, Fidesz MEP:

The European Union exists for the Member States, not the other way round! This is our motto and our mission!

9. Anna Donáth, MEP for Momentum and Renew Europe:

More and more people are increasingly often poisoning the soul of the country with false accusations and evil propaganda against Europe.

10. Péter Magyar, Vice Chairman of the Tisza Party:

Under Gyurcsány and Orbán we went from a star student to the EU's second poorest member state and officially the most corrupt one.

+1. Viktor Orbán, President of Fidesz on 19 April 2004:

Joining the European Union provides Central and Eastern European states with a secure future.

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