June 18, 2024 – 7:31 p.m
László Toroczkai, the chief of the far-right extremist Mi Hazánk Movement [[2]], handed over his European Parliament seat to Zsuzsanna Borvendég. Toroczkai had previously introduced that he wouldn’t take up the mandate. He used the opportunity to criticize Péter Magyar, who ultimately accepted the mandate after a vote.
“I signed a statement relinquishing my European Parliament seat to Dr. Borvendég. Some individuals couldn’t resist the allure of approximately 7 million forints in monthly earnings and numerous other benefits. With a manipulated vote, Magyar decided to keep the EP mandate for himself despite his previous promise. He managed to list 8 arguments in favor of preserving the EP mandate without mentioning a single counter-argument. What, in comparison, is the much-maligned national session or the Christmas Budapest residents’ meeting? At least they maintained appearances. It’s alright; there are still a few of us who care about the given word, the ideas, the thought, the group we represent,” Toroczkai wrote in his statement.
Magyar initially didn’t want to take up the mandate but later seemed open to the idea. He then introduced a vote on whether to join the EP, arguing mainly in favor of his representation, and ultimately “yes” received a significant majority. (On Tuesday, it became clear that Magyar and his colleagues from Tiszás were being accepted into the faction of the European People’s Party, following which the KDNP withdrew from it and from the party family itself.)
It has been known for a long time that neither Toroczkai, as the leader of the EP list, nor Dóra Dúró, who is in second place, will sit in the European Parliament. The party won a single mandate, which will be given to Zsuzsanna Borvendég, who resigned from her position as a historian at the Hungarian Research Institute to accept Mi Hazánk’s request. Mi Hazánk gained significant ground in the 2022 elections, emerging as the third-largest party in the country [[3]].
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Analysis: László Toroczkai’s Move and the Rise of Far-Right Extremism in Europe
In a recent turn of events, László Toroczkai, the leader of the far-right extremist Mi Hazánk Movement, has handed over his European Parliament seat to Zsuzsanna Borvendég. This move comes after Toroczkai previously announced that he would not take up the mandate [[2]]. However, what’s striking about this decision is the reasoning behind it – Toroczkai used this opportunity to criticize Péter Magyar, who ultimately accepted the mandate after a vote.
Toroczkai’s move is not entirely surprising, given his background. As the leader of the Mi Hazánk Movement, he has consistently pushed for far-right extremist ideology, and his party has been labeled as one of the most extreme in the Budapest parliament since World War II [[1]]. Toroczkai’s own views have been described as virulently anti-Roma, and his rise to prominence has sparked concerns about the growing influence of far-right extremism in Europe.
Furthermore, it was reported earlier that Toroczkai was set to join the European Parliament and lead a new group of far-right extremists [[2]]. His decision to relinquish his seat to Borvendég may be seen as a strategic move, allowing him to maintain a level of influence while keeping a low profile.
Toroczkai’s actions and ideology are deeply concerning, and they highlight the growing threat of far-right extremism in Europe. As a prominent figure in the European Parliament, his views have the potential to spread and gain traction among like-minded individuals. It’s essential to monitor his actions and those of similar far-right extremist groups, as their influence can have severe consequences for marginalized communities and the fabric of European society as a whole.
In a recent YouTube video, Toroczkai claimed to have “stirred things up” in the European Parliament, hinting at his intention to shake up the established order and push for a far-right agenda [[3]]. This kind of rhetoric is unsettling and raises questions about the kind of impact Toroczkai and similar far-right extremists can have on European politics.
László Toroczkai’s decision to relinquish his European Parliament seat is just the latest development in a worrying trend of far-right extremism in Europe. As a prominent figure in this movement, his actions and ideology have the potential to spread and gain traction, posing a significant threat to marginalized communities and European society as a whole. It’s essential to remain vigilant and monitor the actions of far-right extremist groups, as their influence can have severe and far-reaching consequences.