Hungarian Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó criticized Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen on Monday for supporting George Soros’ interests in Europe, according to a Hungarian government press release.
He also took the opportunity to once again hit out at Soros’ pro-migrant stance.
“George Soros doesn’t represent the people of Europe, but the migrants, and above all else his own interests. This is what speculators are like. The Hungarian government doesn’t want to build the country’s future on migrants, but on Hungarian families who live in peace and security,” Minister Szijjártó said on May 1.
READ MORE: George Soros Isn’t Prepared to Accept Outcome of Hungarian Election – Official
Minister Szijjártó vowed to defend Hungary from Soros, “because George Soros would leave migrants, chaos and destruction behind him.”
His remarks come off the back of an interview by Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen with the Profil magazine, in which the president expressed support for George Soros, immigration and called for closer ties with France.
“Many agree with the billionaire [George Soros] that Europe is struggling with demographic problems and must rely on immigration,” the Austrian president said in an interview with Profil magazine.
Although the president is a keen advocate of migration, other Austrian politicians, such as Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, are pushing for anti-immigrant policies to be implemented. Mr. Kurz represents the Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP), which currently has five members in the European Parliament.
READ MORE: Headscarves To Be Banned in Primary Schools and Kindergartens in Austria
Ahead of the recent parliamentary elections in Hungary, Budapest warned that Soros had hired over 2,000 people to meddle in the election to favor candidates and parties with pro-migrant agendas. Despite the alleged meddling attempt, the anti-migrant Fidesz party remained in power with its coalition partner.