Ulf Kristersson, leader of the Swedish Moderate Party | Jonathan Nackstrand/AFP via Getty Images Swedes push for Orbán’s Fidesz party to be kicked out of EPP ‘It is quite obvious that Fidesz will not change its attitude on fundamental values.’

Sweden’s Moderate Party will push for the European People's Party to expel Hungary's Fidesz in the wake of Viktor Orbán's campaign against Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker.

Ulf Kristersson, the Swedish party's leader, told Aftonbladet: "Our aim is to, in accordance with the EPP statutes, gather [support from] seven member parties from five different countries to exclude Fidesz.

"It is quite obvious that Fidesz will not change its attitude on fundamental values," he added.

EPP leaders were outraged this week when the Hungarian government unveiled a taxpayer-financed campaign attacking Juncker, along with the Hungarian-American billionaire George Soros, and accusing Brussels of plotting to impose migration policies that go against Hungary's interests.

So far, party chieftains, including the EPP president, Joseph Daul, have protected Orbán, mindful that the 12 seats Fidesz holds in the European Parliament are important for the EPP's majority and its future election prospects. According to EPP rules, the suspension or exclusion of a member party can be triggered by “seven ordinary or associated member parties from five different countries.”

Earlier Friday, Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz said he found the wording of Orbán’s campaign “unacceptable,” according to local media reports.

Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković also reacted to Orbán’s poster campaign, saying it “sends the wrong message about EU migration policy.”

The Swedish conservatives have been the most outspoken in their criticism and willingness to take action.

Kristersson said his party will make a "formal decision" on the expulsion at a board meeting next week and will also discuss the issue with "my Nordic EPP colleagues."

Another Swedish member of the EPP, the Christian Democrats, also called for Fidesz to be kicked out.

Sara Skyttedal, the Christian Democrats' top candidate for the EU election, said it was “normal” for there to be “slightly different opinions in an organization where 80 parties are represented.”

But she added, “there must be a community of values ​​around the basic principles of a democratic rule of law,” and “unfortunately, we see that Fidesz can no longer be said to fulfil this fully.

“They do not belong in the EPP,” she said.

CORRECTION: This article was amended to correct the party affiliation of Sara Skyttedal. She is the lead candidate of the Christian Democrats.