German Green MEP Calls for Arrest of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán
Daniel Freund, a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) from Germany's Green Party, has sparked controversy this week by suggesting that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán should be arrested. Freund's comments were made in response to Orbán's recent appearance in the European Parliament.
Freund's Accusations Against Orbán
Freund expressed his belief that Orbán is corrupt and has misused European resources. He questioned, "Who has ever stolen so much from European sources?" Freund's comments were made in the context of Orbán's recent "peace mission", which saw the Hungarian leader visiting Moscow, Kyiv, Beijing, and Washington D.C. in an attempt to broker a peace deal and end the war in Ukraine.
Allegations of Corruption in Hungary
One of the most frequently cited examples of alleged corruption in Hungary is a "bridge to nowhere", a project funded by the EU. However, Orbán had no involvement with the project. Instances of EU taxpayer money being misused or spent on pointless projects are common across Europe. In fact, Germany has its own history of funding "projects to nowhere". In 2020, Deutsche Welle, Germany's state-funded media, published an article highlighting several examples of wasteful spending and potential corruption.
Examples of Wasteful Spending in Germany
One example highlighted by Deutsche Welle was a railroad crossing built in the eastern state of Saxony. Despite locals petitioning for a bike path to be built along the road between the towns of Pulsnitz and Kamenz, the path has yet to be constructed. The crossing, which cost an estimated €30,000 to build, leads nowhere and incurs hundreds of euros in annual operating and maintenance costs.
Response from Hungarian Lawmakers
Freund's comments were met with a cold response from Hungarian lawmakers. Ernő Schaller-Baross, a Hungarian politician, immediately responded to Freund's statements, suggesting that the German MEP should focus on issues in his own country. Schaller-Baross questioned why Freund was not addressing the impact of uncontrolled migration in Germany or the threat posed by the German Green government to the German car industry.
Freund's Standing in Germany
Schaller-Baross also pointed out that support for the Greens in Germany is currently at a record low, with the party facing accusations of racism. He suggested that Freund should "go home" and address these issues rather than focusing on Hungary.
Bottom Line
The exchange between Freund and Schaller-Baross reflects the ongoing tensions within the European Parliament. While Freund's accusations against Orbán are serious, they also highlight the broader issue of corruption and misuse of EU funds across the continent. As the debate continues, it will be interesting to see how these allegations are addressed and whether any substantive changes are made to prevent future misuse of funds. What are your thoughts on this issue? Share this article with your friends and discuss. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, delivered every day at 6pm.
