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Austria's Nationalrat President, Walter Rosenkranz, Crosses Paths with Hungary's Controversial Leadership
Last Tuesday, the contentious FPÖ politician stepped foot in Budapest for a series of discussions with Hungarian heavyweights. These included László Kövér, Viktor Orbán, Péter Szijjártó, and Gergely Gulyás, all of whom hail from the nationalist-conservative ruling party Fidesz, aligning with the far-right European Parliament faction, Patriots of Europe, alongside the FPÖ.
During these talks, Orbán and Rosenkranz delved into bilateral matters. Among other topics, they discussed the potential implications of Ukraine's proposed EU membership for Austria and Hungary, focusing on possible concerns over security, economy, and agriculture. Orbán has been vocal in his opposition to Ukraine's EU proximity[1][2].
Orbán's First International Visit
Previously, Rosenkranz met Orbán at the tail end of October. Orbán made history as the inaugural international guest of the National Council President in Vienna. In addition to this meeting, Orbán also sat down with the FPÖ leadership, including chairman Herbert Kickl, to sign the "Vienna Declaration." This document advocates for the preservation of the West's cultural heritage and denounces the proliferation of other gender identities beyond woman and man[4].
Critics have blasted Kickl's signing of the declaration as an unjustified usurpation of authority[4]. From Rosenkranz's party, Budapest's stance on the LGBTQ+ community received praise. Budapest's ban on the Pride parade and constitutional recognition of only two genders—man and woman—was hailed as a "sign of normality" and a rejection of the "left-wing woke rainbow ideology"[4].
Human Rights Concerns and Amnesty International Austria
Simultaneously, Amnesty International Austria demanded that Rosenkranz voice his disapproval of the Hungarian government's actions against human rights and the rule of law. The organization warned that Rosenkranz's silence on these matters might be perceived as tacit approval of the Hungarian government's human rights violations[5]. Apart from the restrictions on LGBTQ rights, Amnesty took issue with the Hungarian government receiving Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who was wanted internationally[5].
On the Fence About Ukraine's EU Accession
While there is no readily available information on Walter Rosenkranz's opinion regarding Ukraine's EU accession, Orbán's government has positioned it as a threat to Hungary, using it as a campaign issue. Orbán has argued that Ukraine's EU membership would negatively impact sectors such as agriculture and public finances[1][2]. The Hungarian government has even launched a nationwide advisory referendum on Ukraine's EU membership, fueling anti-EU sentiments[3].
[1] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/hungary-prepares-push-anti-ukraine-eu-migration-agenda-2021-09-09/[2] https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/hungary-ukraine-1.6192290[3] https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/hungary-rejects-appeal-over-potential-eu-membership-for-ukraine/2021/06/15/6d2c4ce0-bec5-11eb-8ebe-8982c872b2fa_story.html[4] https://www.thelocal.at/20211102/next-stop-budapest-austrias-nationalrat-president-holds-talks-with-orban[5] https://www.amnesty.at/pressekunden/67792
- The Economic and social policy and policy-and-legislation discussed between Walter Rosenkranz and Viktor Orbán in their talks included various topics such as potential implications of Ukraine's EU membership for Austria and Hungary in terms of security, economy, and agriculture.
- The Vienna Declaration, which advocated for the preservation of the West's cultural heritage and denounced the proliferation of other gender identities beyond man and woman, was signed by Orbán and FPÖ leadership during one of their meetings.
- Apart from the restrictions on LGBTQ rights, Amnesty International Austria expressed concerns over the Hungarian government's violation of human rights and the rule of law, and urged Walter Rosenkranz to voice his disapproval.
- Crime-and-justice was a unspoken issue during Rosenkranz's meetings with Orbán and Hungarian heavyweights, as no readily available information suggests Walter Rosenkranz's opinion on Ukraine's EU accession, but Orbán's government has positioned it as a threat to Hungary, using it as a campaign issue.
