Fidesz MEP: Sanctions to have ‘catastrophic consequences’ for EU

“When the Hungarian government expressed its doubts on the sanctions, if faced massive attacks in Hungary, in Europe and worldwide,” Tamas Deutsch said, adding that the Hungarian political left supported sanctions “to an extreme extent”.

Meanwhile, energy prices skyrocketed after the sanctions were introduced, and Russia had a record 158 billion euro revenue from energy exports, 85 billion of which was paid by the EU, Deutsch said. “While the EU is now buying less energy, it is paying more for it, inflation is soaring, and ensuring energy security is becoming more difficult,” he said.

Asked about reports that the Hungarian opposition had received 2 billion forints (EUR 5m) worth of dollars in funding from abroad for its election campaign, Deutsch said the left had breached election rules banning foreign campaign financing.

“It is not difficult to draw the conclusion that George Soros has bought the Hungarian opposition which has never regained its independence since its election defeat,” he said.