BRATISLAVA, January 24, (WEBNOVINY) — Hungarian President Pal Schmitt abused his recent visit to Slovakia to recruit new citizens of a Great Hungary, said ruling coalition MP Igor Matovic from deputy faction of Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) party at his news conference on Monday. Matovic specified that the Hungarian head of state was encouraging people in Slovakia not to be afraid to apply for citizenship of the Republic of Hungary. “We consider it wrong and impudent, we regret that the government failed to take a resolute stance and did not condemn it,” said Matovic.
“Besides the fact that they will have a spiritual link to their origin, they would gain also a certain legal status,” said President Schmitt last Thursday after a meeting with his host, Slovak President Ivan Gasparovic in Bratislava and encouraged ethnic Hungarians living outside Hungary to acquire Hungarian citizenship. Based on recently adopted citizenship law, applicants for receiving citizenship of Hungary do not need to have permanent residence in its territory.
Matovic also criticized Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban for having abused his power when parliament adopted the new media law. “Viktor Orban is not a man who deserves compliments,” said Matovic.
SITA