Fidesz calls for new chapter in functioning of EU

The MEP group of Hungary’s ruling Fidesz-Christian Democrat alliance on Wednesday called for opening a “new chapter” in the functioning of the European Union and a fundamental turnaround in its economic and migration policies.

The MEP group said in a statement that it saw a greater chance of achieving these goals under the new European Commission led by Ursula von der Leyen than it had before.

Fidesz MEP Tamás Deutsch said he was “cautiously optimistic” that the EU could “move away from its earlier foolish migration policy”, noting that “a far more sensible” policy was starting to take shape.

The Fidesz-Christian Democrat group is optimistic about the new commission and considers the approval of Olivér Várhelyi as the commissioner for neighbourhood and enlargement policy Hungary’s “biggest diplomatic success of the past ten years”, Deutsch said.

He said the previous commission had caused “serious damage” and weakened Europe with its “flawed” migration and economic policies, arguing that a new direction was needed.

“They let the migrants in and allowed Britain to leave,” the MEP said.

“The continent’s security situation has deteriorated significantly and the European economy is again showing signs of a crisis.”

He added that Fidesz was ready to support the work of the new commission in the interest of stopping immigration and protecting the Europe of nations and Christian culture.