Hungary polls citizens on alleged EU 'trade war' with China, Russia
The allegation was contained in a new "national consultation" survey -- the latest in a series of suggestively-worded questionnaires aimed at legitimising nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban's positions.
"Brussels has launched a trade war against the countries of the East, especially China and Russia," the survey's first question reads, asking Hungarians whether they believe the country needs "economic neutrality", or whether "the trade war is justified and Hungary should join it".
Orban -- the Kremlin's closest ally in the EU -- has slammed the bloc's sanctions against Russia imposed after Moscow invaded Ukraine in 2022, and opposes Brussels' plans to slap extra duties on Chinese-made electric cars.
Hungary, which currently holds the EU's six-month rotating presidency, is scheduled to host an informal EU leaders' summit on November 8.
The latest taxpayer-funded survey, with the title "Hungary can do it!", has 11 questions and is centred around Orban's plans for "economic neutrality", which the survey says "is the way to achieve economic growth in the Hungarian economy above the EU average".
The questionnaire is delivered nationwide to citizens, who are asked to send it back or fill it in online by December 20.
During Hungary's previous "national consultation" -- which ran from November 2023 until January 2024 -- about 1.5 million of the country's eight million voters responded.
The government claimed more than 97 percent of them sided with their policies on all the questions.
It later plastered billboards around Hungary presenting some of the results alongside the slogan: "We won't dance to Brussels' tune."
Orban has been championing a foreign policy of "Eastern opening" since his return to power in 2010, seeking closer economic ties with China and Russia.
Related Links
Global Trade News
