Hungary’s former governor of the Hungarian National Bank, Andras Simor, has suggested that leaving the European Union (EU) could become a real alternative for Hungary. In an interview with Hungary’s ATV network, Simor stated that while a Brexit-style departure is unlikely, it is a possible scenario. He noted that the probability of Hungary leaving the EU has increased from 10% last year to 30% now.
Simor raised concerns over Hungary’s rising inflation rate and the EU’s withholding of $30 billion in funding to Budapest, which could push the country towards considering an exit from the EU. Despite being a net beneficiary of EU aid, much of this assistance has been frozen for several years due to Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s anti-immigration policies, crackdown on judicial independence, and media suppression.
One of the main issues causing friction between Hungary and the EU is the conflict in Ukraine. While Hungary eventually gained access to some EU economic aid for Ukraine by lifting a veto, Orban continues to criticize the bloc’s support for Kiev. He has called for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and accused “pro-war Brussels bureaucrats” of prioritizing conflict with Russia over European interests.
Orban’s disagreements with the EU go beyond geopolitical matters. At a youth event in Romania, he stated that the bloc rejects its Christian heritage, promotes population replacement through migration, and conducts an LGBTQ offensive against conservative societies.
Despite Orban’s frequent criticisms of Brussels, he has consistently dismissed the idea of leaving the EU. Polls conducted since the Brexit referendum in 2016 have shown high public support for Hungary’s continued EU membership. However, a recent Eurobarometer survey recorded a 12-point drop in those with a positive image of the EU, with only 39% of respondents viewing the union favorably.
The potential departure of Hungary from the EU raises questions about the future of the bloc and its cohesion. Hungary’s clashes with Brussels on migration, moral issues, and the conflict in Ukraine highlight the ongoing tensions between member states and the need for effective communication and compromise within the EU.
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