Watch: ‘This Is Not The Eurovision!’ – Roberta Metsola Addresses MEPs Chanting ‘Bella Ciao’ At Hungary’s Orbán
Today’s plenary session in Strasbourg saw Hungary’s controversial nationalist PM Viktor Orbán presenting the priorities of the Hungarian Presidency to the European Parliament… but it quickly turned raucous and needed the intervention of EP President Roberta Metsola.
During and directly after Orbán’s fiery speech, which included warnings of it being “the most serious period” in the EU’s history, and a “migration crisis” that could cause the “destruction” of the EU’s border system, a number of left-wing lawmakers protested the Hungarian PM, holding up placards that led “No money for the corrupt”. But that was just the beginning of the protest.
The popular anti-fascist anthem “Bella Ciao” rang out in parliament, with many on their feet, clapping and holding their fists up as Orbán returned to his seat. With European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen set to speak directly after but the lively protest still going strong, EP President Roberta Metsola had to intervene, reminding the MEPs that the parliament was “not the Eurovision”
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“Prime Minister, many of us recall the lively debate six years ago. I expect no less today,” Metsola told Orbán before giving him the floor for today’s debate. “Because in this House of democracy, as in Europe, where the rule of law and freedom of expression are sacrosanct, we may not always agree, but we will always give space for the respectful sharing of views.”
This is of course not the first time that Orbán caused controversy in Europe. When Hungary took over the EU’s six-month presidency in July, the prime minister went off script, launching an uncoordinated “peace mission” to Ukraine in Kiev, Moscow and Beijing. This in turn led to von der Leyen ordering senior officials to skip a series of meetings organised by the Hungarian presidency, essentially leading to an unprecedented de facto boycott.
Now, with far-right electoral gains in countries like Italy and the Netherlands (not to mention the growing influence of Patriots for Europe, a new Hungarian-led group in the European Parliament), Orbán seems to have become more sure that the change he’s calling for in the European Union is only getting closer.
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