Antal Rogán, Head of the Cabinet Office of the Prime Minister, has told Hungarian television channel TV2 that he does not regard it to be a failure that Parliament has not supported Viktor Orbán’s Bill for constitutional amendment. He added that it has become clear, however, that the opposition cannot be counted on when it comes to the interests of Hungary.
Mr. Rogán said that, before the European Parliament adopts a decision on this matter, Hungary’s interests would now be served by having an enforceable legal instrument in Hungary prohibiting the imposition of the mandatory relocation quota.
According to Mr. Rogán, the vast majority of European governments are pursuing a misguided migration policy, because this is not what people want. He pointed out that the Government of Hungary must continue the fight.
“We shall be there at the meeting of European heads of government, and we shall fight against the quota”, he said. Should the Commission submit such a proposal in the European Council meeting, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is prepared to veto it, Mr. Rogán added.
This would be followed by an international battle, and it would be advantageous for there to be support for this battle in the Hungarian parliament. Therefore, he said, there are two alternatives worth considering: either the issue could be reconsidered next spring; or the Constitutional Court could examine the Fundamental Law’s current provisions, and decide whether or not a mandatory quota would be compatible with them.
Mr. Rogán recalled that in Parliament back in April, President of Jobbik Gábor Vona had told him that those not voting for the constitutional amendment which Jobbik had initiated would be traitors. The Head of the Cabinet Office said that in this respect Jobbik are no different from the socialists, because MSZP party leader Gyula Molnár had told him prior to the quota referendum that a parliamentary vote was needed, but a referendum was unnecessary. Despite this, Mr. Molnár completely changed his mind a couple of days later.
Mr. Rogán said that he still hopes that there will be at least a few opposition Members of Parliament who will admit that it is worth amending the Fundamental Law in accordance with the will of the people. The text of the Bill, however, should not be changed, he said, as parliamentary parties have all agreed on it.