In an interview published on Thursday, the Hungarian prime minister summed up the past year in domestic and international politics. He also addressed the situation in Poland, which will soon take over the six-month presidency of the EU Council.
Orbán stated that Polish-Hungarian relations are currently at their lowest because “the liberal Polish rainbow coalition cannot distinguish between party and state politics.”
He pointed out that Poland and Hungary have strategic interests in which they should help each other, not weaken each other, while also criticizing the actions of the Polish government in the domestic political arena.
Poland: Sejm seeks to pass censorship bill before Christmas
"The bill primarily poses a huge threat to the constitutionally guaranteed freedom of speech, which is to be sacrificed in the name of the interests of the LGBT lobby," writes President of Ordo Iuris Institute Jerzy… pic.twitter.com/K607vtO1M2
— Remix News & Views (@RMXnews) December 19, 2024According to Orbán, “Polish liberals have invented a new concept of the rule of law – the rule of law by law,” which means using the rule of law and legal instruments to deal with a political opponent.
Asked by journalists whether Hungary would accept Polish political refugees, Orbán replied: “We offer shelter to anyone who faces political persecution in their country.”
Meanwhile, back in Poland, the Tusk-led government has written up its “Christmas list” of companies it seeks to protect from hostile takeovers, namely by entities in Russia, China, and, of course, Hungary.
Included on the list is media company TVN, as well as the Polsat TV channel, which means that any purchase would have to be approved by the Polish government. The Politico news portal noted that the previous conservative ruling party, PiS, “would likely welcome a takeover linked to its political ally, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.”
Despite facing unceasing inflation, hospitals set to shut down, and employment woes, the government under Tusk seems only interested in going after PiS, currently in opposition (formerly in power) and other political enemies such as Orbán.
Since taking power late last year, Donald Tusk has purged state media, gone after the central bank, and arrested former PiS officials and associates. https://t.co/F1gJs4K4D5
— Remix News & Views (@RMXnews) October 25, 2024Poland’s justice minister also announced outright that Hungarian PM Orbán would have to be removed for Hungary to “regain Democratic values.”
Poland will be taking over the rotating EU Council presidency in January, and Bodnar's comments to @Politico have shed light on some of its priorities. pic.twitter.com/QPdUkhozLu
— Remix News & Views (@RMXnews) December 19, 2024
