EP election – Opposition EP candidates argue for stronger Europe

Politicians heading the European Parliament party lists of the opposition Socialists-Párbeszéd, LMP, DK and Momentum parties argued at a conference on Thursday for a stronger and more transparent European Union and joint action on migration.

At the event organised by Republikon Institute, the opposition MEP candidates were divided over the issue of a European minimum wage and whether there should be a united states of Europe.

Republikon board leader Gábor Horn said surveys showed that 18-20 percent of Hungarians identified themselves as liberal.

The question, he added, is whom should liberals vote for in Hungary and where they might “find a temporary home”.

Klára Dobrev of DK said only a strong EU could protect liberal democracy and only strong and large communities could give the right answers to global challenges and find ways to reduce social inequality. This is also required to fight populists because the wealth gap also endangers democracy, she added.

She underlined that DK promoted the progamme for a united states of Europe. Its prerequisites include direct taxing of multinationals by the EU and more efficient and transparent decision-making, she added.

Katalin Cseh of Momentum said the handling of European public monies had to be reformed and control must be exercised on spending. The majority of money should be spent on health care, education and job creation in order to prevent “unlimited theft and waste”. Momentum would make it obligatory for countries to join the European Prosecutor’s Office, she added.

Commenting on the united states of Europe, she said when “the house is on fire” long-term integration is not the first priority.

Gábor Vágó of LMP said environmental sustainability must be granted priority because without it there can be no economic and social sustainability. “Not only is the house on fire but the roof has already burned down” and climate change means there is only 10 years left to take action, he added. The fact that large multinationals have control over politics is a huge challenge for late-stage capitalism, he said, urging lobbying activities to be regulated.