The referendum is an opportunity for the people to decide on their future directly, and to influence the fate of the country, János Lázár, the Minister heading the Prime Minister’s Office told the portal makohirado.hu.
In the interview which was released on Saturday, the politician, who is also Member of Parliament for the constituency of Makó and the Makó region, said that on 2 October citizens may state their opinion on perhaps the most important question of the next decade, may shape their own and their children’s future, and may directly influence the fate of the country. The Minister therefore encouraged everyone to attend the referendum.
There are countries in Europe, such as Germany and France, which hope to gain a competitive advantage through the influx of immigrants in masses. „The Hungarian Government takes the view that retaining the homogeneity of Christian Hungary is a condition of being successful. If we need work force, we wish to cater for that need by supporting Hungarian families, or by resorting to the Hungarian communities beyond the borders”, Mr Lázár said.
The politician pointed out that „these days, Brussels is talking about some 100-120 thousand people in connection with the mandatory resettlement quotas which would also be binding on Hungary”. This, combined with the expected family reunifications and the children to be born in these groups could lead to a continuously growing community of 500-600 thousand within a few years. The Minister believes it is questionable how we could integrate a community coming from Africa or the Middle-East with such a vastly different cultural and social background which finds itself without roots in Europe and is strongly attached to its own religious and cultural identity.
Regarding those who encourage people to boycott the referendum, Mr Lázár said: „a democratic political party cannot tell the people to stay away from a referendum, to resign their electoral right to vote. Those who campaign against participation in the referendum attack the core values of democracy”, he added.
The Minister pointed out: there was never any question, as far as the Government was concerned, that political refugees must be given protection. We must, however, distinguish between those who flee from their countries due to wars or religious or ethnic persecution, and those who set out in the hope of a better life, higher wages, or social benefits. Only 10 per cent of those crossing the Hungarian border claim to be political refugees. „We are ready to provide support for those who live in more difficult circumstances than we do, as far as the country’s resources permit, but we must provide assistance where they were born, where they live, and where the troubles emerged”, he added.
„We must take in refugees, but we must protect the borders of Europe against immigration, and must create points of entry where those who would like to enter can state their request. We cannot have people pouring in in masses, and then Germany selecting those they need and will be able to integrate, and distributing the rest in Europe”, the politician said.
Mr Lázár also highlighted that the Government would like to avoid having to build a fence between Hungary and Romania, and therefore attempts to maintain intensive cooperation with the leadership and authorities of the neighbouring country. He is convinced, however, that Hungary will be compelled to build a fence also on this section sooner or later, and they are consequently prepared for protecting the country on the Hungarian-Romanian border as well, should the need arise.