Hungary launched this week a "national petition" against EU support for Ukraine, a member of Viktor Orban's nationalist government announced yesterday, Agence France-Presse reported. The agency notes that this comes at a time when Hungary is preparing for elections in April, BTA reported.
This is the latest in a series of initiatives aimed at legitimizing the policy of Orban, who remains a close partner of Russian President Vladimir Putin despite EU sanctions over Moscow's war against Ukraine.
Letters with the petition will be sent to Hungarian citizens, State Secretary János Nagy explained to public television HirTV. A poster campaign is also expected, as well as announcements on television and the Internet.
The petition allows Hungarians to express their opposition to "the continued financing of the Russian-Ukrainian war", as well as "the financing of the Ukrainian state for the next 10 years" and "the increase in energy prices as a result of the war".
Hungarians can indicate whether they oppose one, two or three of the formulas listed. They must send their response by March 23, three weeks before the election.