Resident Evil (EU edition): The Rise of Fascism in Hungary

Editor: John Damellos for The Greek Courier

The European community is watching in awe the developments in Hungary, as approximately 8,3 million Hungarians are called to decide in a plebiscite if they endorse or reject their share of refugees from the imperialist wars of the West in Libya, Syria and the Maghreb. The overwhelming majority of voters is expected to say NO to EU quotas for the relocation of mainly Muslim refugees to EU countries, supporting their fascist prime minister Viktor Orbán, who called the plebiscite – and is certain to win it. Many analysts call this move by Orbán a preemptive strike against the European commission and the German chancellor, Angela Merkel, a move which confirms fears in Brussels that the recent Brexit referendum can prove contagious, with Eurosceptic governments calling national votes to resist EU policies they oppose. 

According to the polls, 80% of the people will vote against the quotas, but participation may not surpass the 50% limit needed to grant legitimacy to the vote. And the question at hand, is not exactly neutral in nature: "Would you like the European Union to institutionalize the mandatory relocation of non-Hungarian descent citizens in Hungary, without the confirmation of the Hungarian Parliament?" If the question was sincere in its intents and purposes, it would have included the real number of refugees that would enter Hungary, had the country allowed their relocation. According to Martin Schulz, President of the European Parliament, Hungary would have to take only 2000 refugees for relocation! Therefore, Mr.  Orbán's intentions, not only for the plebiscite but also for the creation of an anti-refugee sentiment are sinister and evil and aim to bolster Fascism in the European Union.  

The problem is that the European Union, a bureaucratic apparatus designed to serve the interests of bankers and industrialists in the Old Continent, is already divided over what to do about mass immigration and in the shadow of the "ongoing" Brexit, is facing further fragmentation on the issue as governments rush to impose national border controls from central Europe down to the Balkans. Ironically, the only country that has welcomed refugees from Syria and Afghanistan, Greece, is also the entry and end point for many migrants entering the EU from Turkey. 

Orbán, a xenophobe hardliner has sealed his country’s borders with razor wire since the immigration crisis started last year, and has refused to take part in any distribution scheme across the EU for the 160,000 refugees who are stranded in Greece and Italy. And he is not alone. Slovakia has also challenged the decision in the European court in Luxembourg, while Poland and the Czech Republic follow his steps. The four of the so-called Visegrad Group now intend to spread their xenophobic poison to the rest of Europe by taking their case to Brussels.

While here in Canada resettling refugees is a proud and important part of the country's humanitarian tradition that demonstrates to the world the shared responsibility to help people who are displaced and persecuted by wars and famine, Europe seems to be taking the opposite way. It is falling victim to irresponsible political leaders and neo-fascist governments, that send messages of hate and intolerance to their people, lying about the real nature of Globalization and its consequences, making the refugees look like criminals responsible for their own fate.

Orbán and his lackeys must be stopped before the situation gets out of hand.