On Monday, 3 October, in the program of Hungarian television channel M1, Minister of Defence István Simicskó stated that “with the 3.2 million no votes at the 2 October referendum, Hungary has been able to send Brussels an important message. From this aspect, the referendum has attained its goal, and can be considered successful.”

The minister said that “our goal was to express our will and our disapproval of the intent that the bureaucrats in Brussels can make a decision without asking the Hungarian people” in such a serious question like the handling of the migration crisis. The overwhelming majority of people understood what was at stake in the referendum, and many went to the polls, he added.

In answer to a suggestion that a valid referendum could have been a more effective argument both in Hungary and abroad, the minister said that it is indisputable, but independent of it, it is worth taking into account the opinion of the majority. He added that he hopes that the European leaders will understand this message.

Speaking about an amendment to the Fundamental Law of Hungary – which is urged by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán in consequence of the referendum – István Simicskó said that this is another “weapon” against Brussels so that we can “steer Brussels to the right direction”, as Hungary is continuously working to save the European Union. The minister pointed out that from the very beginning, Hungary has been pursuing a sincere and honest policy on the migrant quota, although there must be some EU politicians who accept the quota but then “find a technical solution to make sure that their country does not have to receive any migrants”.

(Ministry of Defence/MTI)