Opposition blasts government for Iran holiday wishes

Earlier this week, millions across Iran celebrated Islamic Revolution Day, the national holiday marking 35 years since the overthrow of the despotic ruler Mohammad Rezā Shāh Pahlavī in 1979. Among those in the upper tier of government passing on felicitations to their Iranian counterparts were Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, President János Ádér, Parliament Speaker László Köver and Foreign Minister János Martonyi. The latter three all expressed the desire to expand bilateral relations between the two nations in their communiqués.

In doing so, however, the leader helped further isolate Hungary from most of the world, argued the opposition. In a statement from four coalition parties sent to national news service MTI, the only other countries offering felicitations included Brunei, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.

According to Unity members, thanks to the sitting government, “Hungary is unsubscribing itself from the Euro-Atlantic community at an accelerated pace.”

Áder’s press office responded by informing MTI that the president, for one, was simply following the rules of diplomatic courtesy in sending a telegram noting the Iranian national holiday – and reminded that left-wing appointee László Sólyom had sent similar well-wishes to the country in 2010 during his term as president.