Hungary’s Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said the outcome of the recent election is clear and must be respected, following the government’s defeat after more than a decade in power.
‘Ultimately, everything is judged by the election result, and that is clear. It must be respected,’ he said in an interview broadcast live on the YouTube channel of Telex.
Szijjártó added that his commitment to the country remains unchanged regardless of political circumstances. ‘I will always root for Hungary, regardless of whether we are in government,’ he said.
Reflecting on the legacy of the ruling parties, he argued that the government had consistently aimed to strengthen cooperation and improve living conditions. ‘We aimed to make Hungary a liveable country,’ he said.
When asked about the wealth of businessman Lőrinc Mészáros, the minister declined to comment directly, saying such matters should be addressed to those concerned. He stressed instead that foreign partners had consistently praised Hungary’s family support system, low taxes, and utility costs.
Szijjártó also expressed frustration that the government’s performance is often judged through the actions of individuals outside politics. He suggested that some non-political actors had taken advantage of the situation and contributed to the election defeat, though he did not name anyone.
He maintained that international investors involved in more than 2,000 projects prepared by his ministry had described Hungary’s processes as professional and free from corruption.
Addressing the tone of domestic politics, Szijjártó said responsibility for the increasingly hostile atmosphere is shared across the political spectrum. ‘In recent decades, neither side has spared the other,’ he said, adding that harsh rhetoric has become a defining feature of Hungarian political life.
In remarks by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, Szijjártó said he would not criticize the prime minister’s speeches, but emphasized the importance of mutual respect in public discourse.
‘We aimed to make Hungary a liveable country’
He rejected the notion that political affiliation defines belonging to the nation, saying that all citizens are part of it regardless of their views. He also argued that the idea that ‘the homeland cannot be in opposition’ refers to the national interest rather than party politics.
Szijjártó said he does not closely follow media coverage, describing its tone as excessive, and noted that he avoids political media consumption altogether.
He also addressed broader concerns, including the controversial presidential pardon case involving former president Katalin Novák, acknowledging that the available explanations had not satisfied public opinion and that resignation had been unavoidable.
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