Dear Mr. Verhofstadt:
In the lively European debate over how to handle the migration crisis, I have noticed two, competing and decidedly different approaches. On the one hand, the Hungarian government, which promotes a pro-security, strong borders approach to the migration pressure, wants to have a democratic discussion and open debate. The opposing, pro-migration side, represented by George Soros, his network of non-governmental institutions, allies and sympathizers would rather quash debate, pressure opponents and disregard the will of the citizens.
In your recent Facebook rant, you demand that the EU ban Hungary’s national consultation on the pro-migration plan. This plan, which Soros himself put in writing, has been promoted by organizations receiving funding from the billionaire and pushed in certain forums of the European Union.
“[T]argeting Mr Soros in person, is disgusting,” you write, never missing the opportunity for a little sensational drama. “It reminds me of the worst times of European history. The EU must make clear that such campaigns are not compatible with the values we share in Europe. And also, the EPP Group in the European Parliament must finally clarify whether it approves of these policies taken by Viktor Orban and the EPP sister party in Hungary.” The national consultation, you claim, contains “pure lies.”
A Hungarian Socialist MEP, István Ujhelyi, has revealed that you have “put on the table” the issue of Hungary’s consultation at the Conference of Presidents of the European Parliament, the meeting of the chairmen of the European parliamentary groups and the president of the European Parliament.
In fact, there is nothing in the consultation campaign that should remind you of the “worst times of European history.” Criticizing Soros’ aggressively pro-immigration stance is not anti-Semitism as pointed out by significant members of the Jewish community, including Prime Minister Netanyahu.
What bothers you the most, dear sir, is likely something else.
Your name appears prominently on the leaked internal list of the Soros network, a list that names reliable allies in the European Parliament as supporters of Soros-backed causes.
You supported decisions in the European Parliament that would enforce mandatory resettlement quotas, would impose significant fines on non-compliant member states and would assign a role for non-governmental organizations in the resettlement process.
When Hungary had a referendum on whether the EU could relocate migrants onto the territory of the country without the national Parliament’s consent, you were the one who ostentatiously encouraged Hungarians to vote yes.
Now you claim it is a lie, that there was never such a plan. That's outrageous and “takes cheeks,” as Csaba Dömötör, parliamentary state secretary in the Cabinet Office of the Prime Minister put it. In Hungary’s national consultation, each question is supported by word-for-word quotes from George Soros or other references. See for yourself: the translation has been available for more than a month.
Your statement, Dömötör added, “lacks any kind of respect” and defies the freedom of expression and regard for the popular will. Every citizen of Hungary, and Europe, should have the right to express their opinion about the “completely irrational and risky resettlement plans.”
If democratic values were important to you and your fellow, reliable Soros allies, you would defend this right and try to convince the people of the merits of your position. Instead, we get this base behavior.
I suppose we should not be surprised. Those like you who promote this pro-immigration position and the ideological agenda of Soros are the very same people who would relocate migrants onto the territory of sovereign states, without any regard for the will of the people.
Sincerely yours,
Dr. Zoltán Kovács, Government Spokesperson