Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has announced a non-binding referendum on the European Union’s sanctions against Russia. Although Hungary voted in favor of the unanimous decision on sanctions in the Council of EU states, Orban has been protesting the sanctions for months.
“The sanctions were not established democratically, but decided by Brussels bureaucrats and European elites,” he told the Budapest parliament on Monday. “Although European citizens are paying the price, they have not been asked to do anything,” he added.
Criticism of Manipulative Surveys
As part of a “national consultation”, the Hungarian government will now be “the first in Europe to ask people about sanctions against Russia,” Orbán said Monday. His right-wing populist government is repeatedly holding “national consultations” – a kind of polling poll or online voting – to confirm his policies, for example on restrictions on the right to asylum.
For years, observers have criticized the public’s questions as manipulative or misleading. The results of these investigations have no legally binding consequences.
Hungary wants to extend nuclear lifespan
Hungary, meanwhile, has applied to the EU to extend the life of its reactors at the Paks nuclear power plant, Foreign Minister Peter Szijjártó said Monday, according to his Facebook page. Szijjártó is currently attending the annual meeting of the IAEA member states in Vienna. In Paks, Hungary operates four reactors of Russian design. In addition, the Russian company Rosatom is currently building two more reactors there.
Austria opposes the construction of the Paks II nuclear power plant Hungary has been criticized for its friendly relations with Russia, but has so far supported EU sanctions. The EU also accuses Hungary of deficiencies in the rule of law and insufficient prosecution of corruption.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
