On Friday Government Spokesperson Zoltán Kovács told Hungarian television channel M1 that for democrats there is no alternative but to argue for people voting in the quota referendum. Mr. Kovács said this in reaction to opposition party campaign events which encourage people not to vote on 2 October.

Referring to the poster campaign by the opposition parties Együtt and PM, Mr. Kovács said that these parties are insulting voters – and this style is leading nowhere. He said that the only responsible action is to argue that people vote.

Mr. Kovács also said that during the campaign – via as many channels and formats as possible – the Government will seek to send citizens the message that the quota package proposed by Brussels must be rejected in the firmest way possible. He added that the V4 countries are jointly opposing the quota package, but more and more countries are beginning to realise that this strategy cannot proceed: the migration wave must be stopped. For this to happen, he added, effective border control is needed, in order to enable Europe to protect its own citizens.

(Cabinet Office of the Prime Minister/MTI)