„We do not fear for other countries because we recognise that there is no such thing as a uniform democracy. Rightly, there is a variety of different approaches. Each democratic country has crafted arrangements in response its own unique circumstances.
But what about Hungary? Recent experience suggests that we are the exception to the rule. In September, the Hungarian Parliament began debating new Cardinal Laws on local government, elections and the justice system as required by our Constitution. Opposition voices on the Left have wasted little time in denouncing the proposals as authoritarian and illiberal. They will no doubt continue to do so throughout the autumn.
They will do this in Hungary and abroad. They will tell acquaintances in America, Britain and France that Hungary’s justice system is being reduced to a handmaiden of government; that our reformed electoral system will bring party politics to an end; and that the act on Local Government will extinguish freedom at the local level.
It is important that, as a democratically elected government, we respond to these accusations. We will do so robustly because they are simply untrue. And yet, despite the facts, our critics’ allegations have been taken up with alacrity by commentators around the world.
Hungary is a democracy among the democracies of Europe. Versions of our own approaches and institutional arrangements can be found in other European countries, while others are uniquely Hungarian. But over and above these differences in approach, our commitment to democracy remains unshakeable.”