While the EU had decided on sanctions against Russia over the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine – also decided by Hungary – Prime Minister Viktor Orban has been trying to take advantage of this for months. However, not by explaining the necessity, but by torpedoing it. He now wants to increase the pressure on Brussels with a “non-binding referendum”. The questions were published Friday – the answers are almost pre-programmed.
With his approach, Orban is likely pursuing the goal of putting pressure on the European Union in negotiating funding. Due to rampant corruption in Hungary, the EU had withheld several billion euros from the country. Orban then promised reforms – but these should be treated with caution.
The ongoing attacks on the punitive measures by the “Brussels bureaucrats”, as Orban called the European Commission, are intensifying the debate. The Hungarian prime minister is demanding that the sanctions be lifted completely before the end of the year.
Questions manipulative and misleading
This should now be underlined by a “national consultation” of Hungarians, which is already causing a stir. This is a political tactic Orban has used repeatedly in the past would have. Observers criticized the preceding questions as manipulative or misleading.
The introduction already has the correct answer ready
And the formulations published Friday also fit this scheme: The question of possible gas sanctions begins with the fact that such would “affect the heating of the apartments and the functioning of the economy.” The situation is similar when it comes to oil: “An oil embargo would mean major supply problems… Do you agree with the oil sanctions from Brussels?”
The research also raises the mood for food prices. The sanctions would not only have led to higher prices, but also to a “new wave of immigration” – and here again immediately follows the one-sided question about the sanctions.
Nuclear energy is also a problem
Question six is about the fact that the sanctions policy is also harmful to tourism – this leads to the question: “Do you agree with the sanctions restricting tourism?”. But nuclear power is also discussed – the Paks nuclear power plant (a project by Russia’s Rossatom; note) provides “cheaper electricity”. An extension of the sanctions would therefore lead to “price increases and supply disruptions”, making clear for the actual question in which direction the answer should go.
Probably not a real mood test
The questions are again asked in such a way that a specific answer is often very obvious (so-called leading questions). It does not criticize the actual effects in Russia, but only outlines the negative aspects of sanctions – which, of course, also occur. Nor is there any mention of Russia’s aggression and its impact on Ukraine.
In addition, there is no public access to the incoming data – so only Orbán’s FIDESZ party knows the results. The results have no legally binding implications – they only serve, of course, to confirm Orban’s policies.
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.
