The opposition DK is calling on the National Election Committee (NVB) to allow the referendum on Ukraine’s EU memberhip.
‘Even if the right-wingers are against it, the majority of Hungarians support Ukraine’s accession to the EU.’ This is what DK MEP Klára Dobrev said at a press conference. On the issue of Ukraine’s EU membership, the left-wing liberal spoke of a ‘fake consultation of the right’ (alluding to the nationwide street consultation of citizens by the Tisza party) and of a smear campaign of government propaganda against Ukraine. She bases her statement on a recent survey by the Republikon Institute, which provides evidence that a real referendum is worthwhile in this matter.
The DK is therefore calling on the National Election Committee (NVB) to stop delaying the decision and allow the referendum question submitted by the opposition party three weeks ago to go ahead. The question is: ‘Do you agree that Ukraine can become a member of the European Union if it fulfils the accession conditions?’ This is the really relevant question on which the people should be asked. The DK believes that Hungary will benefit from Ukraine’s accession to the EU, as will the Hungarian nationality of Transcarpathia and Europe as a whole.
In fact, only a narrow majority is in favour of Ukraine’s accession to the EU. According to a representative survey conducted by the Republikon Institute, only 15% of respondents are in favour of the fast-track accession procedure recently promoted by the EU Commission – due to the war under easier conditions and in 3-4 years’ time. A further 32% would be in favour of accession in around 7-10 years, under the same conditions that apply to all other candidate countries. In addition, 46% of Hungarians reject Ukrainian EU membership in principle, 7% were undecided or gave no answer.
Unsurprisingly, rejection is particularly high in the government camp (82%), while those in favour are predominant in the opposition camp (70-80%, with the strongest “yes” vote among Tisza supporters). However, even the Tisza party is only 27% in favour of the accession pushed for by the EU Commission, compared to 25% for the others (including the DK). Recently, the Medián Institute measured an absolute majority of 56% of Hungarians who are against Ukraine joining the EU.
