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The official justification of the Hungarian president János Áder for the award: Sobotka was honored for his promotion of Austro-Hungarian relations, especially parliamentary cooperation, as well as for his “effective activity for a greater awareness of Hungary’s positions in European politics in Austria.”
Because the ÖVP politician had campaigned several times against the exclusion of the ruling Hungarian Fidesz party, which was particularly controversial in Western Europe, from the European People’s Party (EPP). Fidesz’s membership has been suspended since May 2019. Rather than hardened fronts, Sobotka advocated a more pragmatic approach towards Fidesz and the Hungarian government.
But that night at the embassy he doesn’t even mention that. But the merits of curbing illegal immigration and Sobotka’s opposition to the “open border policy.” “The upper limit for the admission of refugees in particular is linked to their name,” praised the ambassador.
Careful criticism
Sobotka was honored with the award, praised – as a trained conductor – the Hungarian string quartet with mastery and even emphasized the “eye-level association” one cultivates with one’s neighbor.
Both the neighborhood and the shared historical ties are the basis for Austria to maintain Austro-Hungarian relations, according to Sobotka.
But those who wanted to hear one or another critical tone in Sobotka’s speech. Like Viktor Orbán, he likes to emphasize Christian values. But, said the president of the National Council regarding his Hungarian colleagues, it is not only a matter of not putting religion in the foreground, but of living the essence of this religion, “also when dealing with one’s neighbor and abroad” . . However, “a sense of proportion in the asylum system” is needed for the population to move forward and allow for successful integration.
