Vona: Russia can defeat “Euro-Atlantic” power bloc

In short, Vona essentially runs the gamut of the Jobbik political philosophy and thus provides quite a telling look, nicely assisted by a lot of open questions from interviewer Valentin Mândrăşescu for the “Reality Check” news section of the Voice’s official website. The interview is also posted on Jobbik’s official website – in English only, interestingly enough…  

Reality Check: Jobbik describes itself as “a principled, conservative and radically patriotic Christian party”. Could you explain what it means to be “principled”, “conservative” and “a radically patriotic Christian” in today’s political world?

Vona: Being principled, conservative and radically patriotic basically means saying a definite ‘no’ to the modern world that surrounds us in the Euro-Atlantic region today. This world is characterized by an apparent wealth, optimistic economic expectations, democracy and many other things that sound nice at first. In my opinion, however, there is a shocking decay underlying these things. Europe and the West have disowned their most essential and ancient values. The economic crisis is merely a façade that will never be solved because the essence of the real crisis is that Europe has sunk to the rock bottom of its crisis of values which has been ongoing since the 18th-19th centuries. When homosexual marriage becomes a central issue in the political sphere, there is big trouble…

Reality Check: One of the favorite arguments of EU propaganda is that Eastern European countries like Hungary, Romania or Ukraine can’t have a strong economy and high standards of living without becoming members of the EU. They argue that the EU, even if it has problems, is the only option for prosperity. How do you counter this argument? What alternatives do you propose?

Vona: The first statement is not true; it’s quite the opposite. Central Eastern Europe was colonized. We didn’t need the EU, they needed us. Cheap labor and our markets, these were what mattered. Look at the current situation of the countries in our region. Could they catch up? Not at all. In fact, the gap is widening. The West knew very well that it was going to happen, they just held out a carrot to us. Why do you think Turkey is not admitted to the EU? Because they are Muslim? Not at all. Because they have a strong and independent economy which cannot be colonized the same way as the Hungarian, Romanian and Slovakian, etc. ones were. Turkish companies are strong, their market is well protected. [The EU] could easily subdue us, however.

Reality Check: What changes in Székely Land would make you say, “It’s perfect now, I don’t want anything more”?

Vona: I consider autonomy as a realistic goal which Romania must also accept sooner or later. The historic role of the Hungarian nation in Transylvania is unquestionable. If only everybody realized that we must live together, in fact, we must fight together against globalized capitalism. However, we need worthy conditions to live together. Conditions in which nobody feels like a loser. Until then, the tension remains.

Reality Check: If you were the prime minister, what would your relations with Russia and China be?

Vona: I consider Russia as a country of key importance. Besides Turkey, I believe Russia is the other Eurasian power that could spearhead a real political, economic and cultural resistance against the Euro-Atlantic bloc. Of course, I know things are not black and white, but Russia’s importance is a fact. That is why I undertook the task of being the leader of the Hungarian-Russian friendship group in the Hungarian Parliament and that is why I am working on establishing the best possible relations with Turkey. I would keep a two-step distance from China. I have a certain kind of neutral attitude towards China. Obviously, they are a force to be reckoned with, but I see that China is rather more interested in the Pacific and Africa than Europe.

Reality Check: Could you describe your views on Israel’s foreign policy?

Vona: Israel must be forced to recognize the independent state of Palestine and to give up their colonization efforts regarding Hungary. The latter was mentioned by Shimon Peres in a business conference, so it is not my conspiracy theory, contrary to how the leftist liberal media tries to present it. If these two measures have been completed, we must try to maintain [proper] relations with Israel, but obviously, nobody should expect me to kowtow to them like other European leaders do.

Reality Check: Judging by the media coverage you’re getting in Hungary and other European countries, it can be said that most of the press actively hates you and Jobbik … Despite this, your party has been quite successful and its popular support is growing. How did that happen? What is your secret for the political success of a radical party?

Vona: By now, Jobbik has become the most popular party with the young in Hungary. We have two secrets: First, we are right; second, we are fearless.

(Wait a minute – was that a joke sneaking in there...?)