Gergely Karácsony
Budapest Mayor Gergely Karácsony – Photo: MTI / Zsolt Szigetváry

Karacsony calls for ‘ethical answers to real questions’

"Real questions, that determine Hungary's relationship with itself, its position in Europe and in the world, can exclusively be answered on an ethical basis," the mayor of Budapest said on Sunday, Hungary's August 20 national holiday.

Gergely Karacsony said that “rather then contrasting us and them, the state should focus on the difference between right and wrong”, on Facebook.

Hungary should “preserve, or nowadays even defend its being European as follows from Saint Stephen’s teachings: through self esteem,” the mayor said. He insisted that King Stephen had “not become a vassal to the pope or the emperor . he protected the country’s sovereignty while linking it to the economic and cultural bloodstream of Europe”. Hungary should be a “member of Europe’s community of values . rather than a Russian or Chinese vassal,” he suggested.

The mayor said Budapest was “using its traditions to serve the future” and brought the recent refurbishment of the Chain Bridge as an example. We “insist on keeping our own ethical standards and insist that the greatness of this city lies in its variety . we believe in humanity and solidarity,” he added.

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