The European Union elects a new parliament on May 26. We talked with European journalists and NGOs from different European countries to get a picture of the European right wing. We asked them how their local right wing parties want to change the European Union and which marginalized group is hated the most.
Our questions were answered by Julia Mozer from CEJI.
Published on April 25, 2019
What right-wing parties are active in your country/participating in the European elections?
Fidesz, Jobbik, Mi Hazánk
What are they campaigning for/what is their political agenda?
Fidesz’s main political goal is the same as it has been: to stop immigration and to do so, they announced their 7 points program. The key element of it is taking back control from Brussels and that no country should be obliged to accept refugees. They also advocate for not allowing anyone without documents to enter Europe. Their program articulates a dual goal: to stop migration and to safeguard the Christian culture of Europe. The EP elections will decide whether the pro-migration forces will control the EU or those against it, according to Fidesz.
Jobbik has a somewhat nuanced agenda, with its main point being a new European agreement, that promotes solidarity between smaller and bigger countries and also protects a Christian heritage. Their agenda also has a strong focus on stopping the migration with focus on border control, emphasizing that Hungary never had a colony so has no reason to make previous wrongs right. They also talk about a social and bureaucratic crisis of the EU, while also mentioning the importance of a common climate change policy.
Mi Hazánk, what used to be the most extreme right part of Jobbik, emphasizes Hungary, its history and its heritage with a strong focus on Hungarians living in the territories of what used to be Hungary. They want to stop and reverse the EU from colonizing Hungary by making it similar to other countries. Their agenda is strongly against the EU, seeing it as an exploiter of the country, claiming there is life outside the EU too. Their agenda includes renegotiating the fact that Hungary joined the EU and calling a referendum on staying within the EU.
What is their main topic for the European elections?
Stopping migration and protecting Christian and Hungarian heritage from the European bureaucrats is the main topic and narrative of all three parties.
What marginalised groups does their campaign oppose the most?
Refugees, Muslims and immigrants (including third generations). Mi Hazánk is the only part dedicating pages to the „Roma question” and „Roma criminality” in their program.
How do they propose to change the EU?
Ideally, according to Fidesz, parties that are against migration will dominate the EU and they will dedicate more efforts stopping migration without reallocating refugees. They envisage a Christian Europe that is not multicultural, but focuses more on traditional values and traditional families, ensuring that Europe stays as it is (or as it was years ago – white). Migration in their view is not simply migration but a population exchange program, where the current population is being replaced with migrants.
Jobbik articulates its goals less clearly, focusing on balancing reason and the rhetoric of Fidesz by proposing a new agreement which would mean more solidarity and better decision making on EU level. It also includes better responses to migration and better border control – although nothing specific beyond these.
Mi Hazánk focuses on Hungary, and not on the EU – it is firm that the EU is a disaster and destroys what’s precious in Hungary, which is why they advocate for renegotiaing membership and even leaving potentially, after having a referendum on the question.
How good do you think their chances are in the elections?
Fidesz is likely to score very well as usual, thanks to their massive and dominating billboard distribution and media coverage. Jobbik will have a harder job in obtaining votes as their “middle way” right wing narrative did not bring the desired results during the last national elections. Mi Hazánk should be able to attract the hard-line EU opposers but hopefully their reach will be moderate.
Text in German:
All english texts on the European Election 2019:
