Orban: Fidesz Will Protect the Nation, Not Govern

Former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban confirmed at his traditional summer forum in Tusvanyos that he supported former Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto's move to the Chinese company BYD. Orban also hopes that Szijjarto will learn a great deal in China and return one day, according to the website hvg.hu.

Orban announced a change in Fidesz's strategy. According to him, the party will not act as a traditional opposition in parliament, but as a "service center and incubator", and its goal is no longer to seize power, but to build "national resistance" and a "coalition of freedom".

He admitted that the current government of Prime Minister Peter Magyar was "set in motion" by someone from within Fidesz, for which he apologized. He declared that if there was one thing for which he had to apologize, it was this.

He also rejected accusations that President Tamas Sulyok is a party candidate. According to Orban, Sulyok is the first president without direct party affiliation.

He described the introduction of the euro as a "code name for austerity measures" and warned against a "fifth plundering" of Hungary.

In his view, the current government is not pursuing economic policy but is merely "governing on Facebook". He also believes that disappointed Tisza voters will join the 2.5 million Fidesz voters, thereby creating the constitutional majority needed to change the government.

(mja)