The Hungarian government’s decision to call a referendum on the European Union’s proposed mandatory migrant quota scheme elicited mixed responses from the opposition parties. The radical nationalist Jobbik party welcomed while the other opposition parties objected to the initiative to ask citizens if they would allow the EU to mandate the resettlement of non-Hungarian citizens to Hungary without the approval of parliament.

Jobbik voiced support for a negative answer to the question, urging voters to back the position that “foreign nationals should not be settled without Hungary’s invitation”. The Socialists (MSZP) said that voters should also be asked about the privatisation of state-owned land as well as on the Sunday shopping ban. The left-wing Democratic Coalition (DK) said voters should be asked about the shopping ban, scrapping the national school manager, as well as health financing.

The Dialogue for Hungary party (PM) said a referendum could not be held on stipulations included in international agreements. Green LMP said the initiative was aimed at thwarting similar referendum proposals concerning the Sunday ban or the “looting” of state-owned land. The Együtt (Together) party will stage a demonstration on Sunday “in defence” of the referendum as a grass-roots institution. The Liberal Party said the quota referendum was “not fair”.

Hungarian Premier Viktor Orbán told an extraordinary press conference on Wednesday that his cabinet decided to call a referendum on the EU’s proposed mandatory migrant quota scheme. According to Orbán, the referendum question means that no other than Hungary’s elected lawmakers can make decisions on migrant quotas. However, citizens will be asked: “Do you want to allow the European Union to mandate the resettlement of non-Hungarian citizens to Hungary without the approval of the National Assembly?”.

via hungarymatters.hu and MTI photo: Edvárd Molnár – MTI