Yesterday, Hungarians chose democracy instead of authoritarianism, Europe instead of Russia and a better economic future instead of being the poorest country in Europe. The fall of Viktor Orbán from power is a clear signal: when democracy is replaced by corruption, addiction and populism, citizens sooner or later take back their country. Hungarians chose freedom over fear and control.
This is stated in the position of "We continue the Change", sent to the media. Here is more from the party's statement on the Hungarian elections:
The “Orban“ model is gone. He was ousted from power with a record voter turnout of nearly 80%. For years, the “Orban“ model has transformed Hungary from one of the most successful Eastern European economies into the poorest country in the EU - with captured institutions, subordinate media and systemic corruption in favor of a narrow circle around the government. Instead of investing European funds to improve the lives of his people, Orban uses them for personal enrichment, creating dependencies and a series of national betrayals.
All this is familiar to us in our country. The “Peevski–Borisov“ model is the Bulgarian reflection of the same system - concentration of power, dependencies, draining of public resources and stopping the country's development. The Hungarians have shown that this model is not eternal. That it can be defeated – with mass voting, with courage and with a clear direction.
The economic results are also categorical. While Orbán relied on populism, administrative price ceilings and dependence on Russian energy resources, the result was the highest inflation in the EU and impoverishment. Bulgaria chose a different path – the economic model of Assen Vassilev – ahead of income growth, support for people and business and financial discipline within the Maastricht criteria. The Bulgarian family currently has a higher purchasing power than the Hungarian one. For the first time in decades, our country is ahead of a Visegrad Four country in real consumption.
Today Bulgaria faces the same choice – strong Bulgaria in a strong Europe or a poor periphery, governed through fear, dependencies and backroom.
Hungary showed how it's done. This is a lesson for us too.
On April 19, Bulgaria has a chance to do the same.
We call on all Bulgarian citizens:
Vote. En masse. Decisively.
To finally break the model of corruption and dependencies.
To return the state to the people.
To build a rich, fair and European Bulgaria.
Change is possible. And it depends on each and every one of us.