New Hungarian anti-migrant campaign stokes war of words with EU

The European Union has condemned a new Hungarian campaign attacking both Hungarian-American billionaire George Soros and the president of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker, branding it as “fake news”.

“The Hungarian government’s campaign beggars belief,” said European Commission spokesperson Margaritis Schinas. “It is shocking that such a ludicrous conspiracy theory has reached the mainstream to the extent it has. It is not true that the EU undermines national border protection, quite the contrary. And there are zero plans for the so-called humanitarian visas. Member states decide to what level they want to accept legal migration.”

The EU’s condemnation follows a statement by Hungary’s State Secretary for International Communications and Relations Zoltán Kovács which claimed: “Brussels continues to want to support illegal immigration, and this is something the Hungarian people must know about. This is why we launched a new information campaign.”

“Every Hungarian has a right to know what is happening in Brussels, particularly with regards to the European elections. Plans aimed at supporting immigration have not been removed from the agenda, and in the government’s view these are endangering the security and future of the people of Hungary and Europe,” Mr Kovács added.

The campaign includes a poster featuring the faces of both Mr Juncker and Mr Soros, alongside a message that Brussels would like to introduce a compulsory migrant quotas, weaken the border protection rights of member states and facilitate immigration with migrant visas.

“By immediately attacking the Hungarian government’s new information campaign the existence of a relationship between the Soros network and the European Commission has once again become clear,” said Szabolcs Takács, state secretary of the Hungarian prime minister’s office.

“Today’s performance by [Frans] Timmermans, clearly demonstrates that he regularly meets with George Soros, and the NGOs supported by the Soros network. This is the most tangible proof that what we say is reality,” Mr Takács added.