“The Hungarian Government listens to all criticism, but the opinion of the Hungarian people is more important than party discipline”, State Secretary for International Communications and Relations Zoltán Kovács said on Kossuth Radio’s “Sunday Papers” show.

With relation to the European People’s Party’s criticism of the Government’s poster campaign, Mr. Kovács said that in his view public opinion is being manipulated against the Hungarian Government and the Fidesz-KDNP coalition. “It is the Government’s duty to inform the Hungarian people about what they will need to decide on at the upcoming European Parliament elections”, he declared.

In reply to a question, he pointed out that in recent weeks it has been proven that the Government’s poster campaign is based on fact, and that all of the statements included in it are true. “The pro-immigration measures of the European Commission are aimed at making Europe an immigrant continent”, he said, adding that the information campaign will continue until 15 March.

In reply to a question concerning whether the Government is worried that the European People’s Party will expel Fidesz from its ranks, Mr. Kovács said: “Expulsion would be irrational, since Fidesz represents the voice of common sense, which is in line with the opinion of the Hungarian people, and also with the opinion of increasing numbers of EU citizens, according to which migration is a danger that threatens the foundations of European culture”. “The Hungarians have already declared on several occasions that we must protect Europe’s Christian values and must stop immigration”, he stated.

In reply to another question, the State Secretary voiced his belief that the European Commission is overreaching its sphere of competence and is preparing decisions in secret, without giving member states a chance to influence them. As an example, he cited the decision on the mandatory resettlement quota, which the European Council rejected twice in 2015, but was eventually “forced through” nonetheless.

“The European Union must remain a cooperation between member states of equal rank, in which there Is no compulsion with relation to issues on which there is not full agreement”, Mr. Kovács declared.

(Cabinet Office of the Prime Minister/MTI)