BUDAPEST, Hungary – Hungarians want strong new leaders for Europe and a “fresh start” to halt the continent’s decline amid Muslim immigration, Hungary’s populist prime minister said Friday as he looked ahead to May’s European Parliament elections. “We’re the ones who want a strong Europe, strong nation-states and strong new leaders at Europe’s fore,” Viktor Orban told a crowd gathered at the National Museum for commemorations of Hungary’s 1848 revolution against the Habsburgs. “We wish for the veil to fall from the eyes of the people of Europe, so they can see and understand that without Christian culture there will be no free life in Europe,” said Orban, who sees Muslim immigrants as threats to Europe’s lifestyle. “Without defending our Christian culture, we will lose Europe and Europe will no longer belong to Europeans.”Despite his fiery speech, Orban toned down his message from previous speeches on the commemoration day. On Wednesday, Europe’s main center-right group, the European People’s Party, will debate the possible suspension or expulsion of Orban’s ruling Fidesz party, requested for now by 13 of the EPP’s 49 parties.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer March 15, 2019 13:07 UTC