Endless Criticism of US Ambassador by Fidesz: A Never-ending Saga?
Hungary’s ruling party, Fidesz, has asked the US Ambassador David Pressman to accept that Hungarians remain pro-peace, as stated by the party’s communications director in a video message. The comments come after Pressman expressed his focus on the war in Ukraine, while Fidesz believes that their focus should remain on peace rather than migration, child protection, or inflation caused by sanctions. The foreign minister, Péter Szijjártó, also criticized Pressman and the US for trying to push Hungary into a war, despite the country being part of a “global pro-peace majority.” He added that the US ambassador’s comments were considered “war propaganda” and emphasized Hungary’s commitment to maintaining peace while lambasting opposition parties for being “awash with experts on natural gas these days.” Meanwhile, Hungary remains committed to its contract on gas deliveries with Russia, with Szijjártó stating that energy supplies have been and will remain uninterrupted. Hungary is also making technical changes to the Paks nuclear plant and expects the European Union to allow them as fully compliant with EU regulations. Fidesz’s poster campaign, which has been accused of being “pro-war” in some quarters, highlights the need to send ‘the Russians’ home and is not intended to drag Hungary into a war.
