You have to talk to each other more, you have to be radical, but not extreme - among other things, Tom Van Grieken sees this as the recipe for successful conservative cooperation. The president of the Flemish Interests party gave an interview to Magyar Hírlap at CPAC Hungary conference in Budapest
- What does he propose to strengthen the forming alliance of European conservative forces?
– We have to be honest with each other, we have to hold many such meetings. I don't think we need to move too fast, our meaningful opportunity will be after the European Parliament elections due in two years anyway. I personally believe that we do not need to strive for 100% cohesion in our political views. Rather, we should look for what connects us and build trust. The question is, can we count on each other or will we be broken by the attacks of the leftist media. My experience is that a good collaboration starts with a good personal relationship. I have to say, I was impressed by the friendliness and warm-heartedness of the Hungarians.
- Regarding cohesion, it is noteworthy that while the members of the European People's Party hardly stood up for Hungary in the European Parliament debates, the representatives of Identity and Democracy and the European Conservatives and Reformists regularly did.
– This is because we don't believe the media, but find out directly. I always say that if we don't believe the left-wing media in our own country, why should we believe what they say about Hungary? It is much easier to ask each other if this or that I heard about you is true or not. We may disagree at times, but differences should be respected. We have the same interests on most issues.
– The conference on the future of Europe has just ended. Do you expect a positive change from him?
– I do not believe that the European Union is the solution. We need less EU, not more. I honestly believe that the EU elites have only one goal: whether things are going well or badly, they always want more power. We must find an antidote to the European Union's globalist agenda. The cooperation of sovereign countries based on their free will is necessary.
- According to this, you do not also support the proposal to introduce majority decision-making, for example, in foreign affairs, where unanimity is still required?
- Of course not. Then we would be completely dominated by Germany and France. Uniform solutions applied equally to everyone have never worked in European history.
The full article can be read here.
Author: Mariann Őry
Picture: Róbert Hegedűs
