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According to MTI, Weber welcomed that Péter Magyar, Hungary’s prime minister-elect, would have talks in Brussels on Wednesday.
Europe should send a message that the community is aware of the new Hungarian government’s preparedness to make changes, he said.
Weber noted that the new Hungarian government would have a two-thirds majority in parliament, ensuring a strong political mandate.
He also added that Magyar’s early visit to Brussels showed that Hungary did not wish to waste time and was seeking immediate contact with European Union institutions. He added that the new government had a clear mandate and would be able to meet the expectations.
At the European level, developments in Hungary have been “very positive … a great outcome for all of us”, Weber said. Weber recalled that he had visited Budapest after the latest EP elections, and “welcomed Magyar and the Tisza friends in the EPP family”, and noted the good cooperation with Tisza in the past two years.
“What they did now in Hungary is a big repayment of this investment of trust,” Weber said, adding that it was especially important that a significant country would again have an EPP prime minister.
He said the developments in Hungary meant a turning point in politics indicating that “the populist approach is not delivering”.
For example, he mentioned deteriorating living standards and health services in Hungary, as well as Hungarian wages lagging behind and the cost of living exceeding those in Poland or Romania.
Weber welcomed that funds of EUR 90 billion to support Ukraine were now released, adding “for me this also means that we have to invest a credit of trust into the new government … they will change, they want to change, they have the support of the people to do it the right way, especially the rule of law aspects.”
The European Parliament has a crucial role in “rebuilding bridges of trust between Brussels and Budapest”, Weber said, adding that it was necessary to drop the Article 7 procedure against Hungary now under way.
He said he expected debates concerning the matter, but added that “it is the time to reconsider”. Weber called for assistance, rather than criticism or lengthy discussions concerning the new government so that it can meet the expectations of Hungarian voters.
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