The Declaration of National Cooperation.

On June 14, 2010, Fidesz–Christian Democratic People’s Party (KDNP) National Assembly representatives approved the Declaration of National Cooperation (Nemzeti Együttműködés Nyilatkozata) one month after the newly elected legislature’s founding session (source in Hungarian).

The Declaration of National Cooperation is intended to express the ideals and objectives of the System of National Cooperation (Nemzeti Együttműködés Rendszere) that the Orbán government proclaimed in Hungary following the victory of the Fidesz-KDNP alliance in the country’s 2010 National Assembly election.

The Orbán government subsequently issued a decree stipulating that the Declaration of National Cooperation must be displayed in a “clearly visible place” within all buildings housing central, regional and local state administrative organizations as well as buildings housing Hungarian Army (Magyar Honvédség) military and administrative organizations (source in Hungarian).

Below is the official translation of the Declaration of National Cooperation:

                 MAY THERE BE PEACE, FREEDOM AND ACCORD!

At the end of the first decade of the 21st century, after forty-six years of occupation and dictatorship and two turbulent decades of transition Hungary has regained the right and ability of self-determination.

The fight of the Hungarian nation for self-determination began in 1956 with a glorious uprising that was eventually drowned in blood. The struggle continued with the political pacts after the fall of communism and led to vulnerability instead of freedom, indebtedness instead of autonomy, poverty instead of prosperity, and a deep spiritual, political and economic crisis instead of hope, optimism and fraternity. In the spring of 2010 the Hungarian nation once again summoned its vitality and brought about another revolution in the voting booths. The National Assembly declares its acknowledgement and respect of this revolution fought within the framework of the Constitution.

The National Assembly declares that a new social contract was laid down in the April general elections through which the Hungarians decided to create a new system: the National Cooperation System. With this historical act the Hungarian nation obliged the incoming National Assembly and Government to take the helm in this endeavour, resolute, uncompromising and with deliberation, and control the construction of the National Cooperation System in Hungary.

We, members of the National Assembly declare that we shall elevate the new political and economic system emerging on the basis of the popular democratic will to the pillars that are indispensable for welfare, for living a decent life, and that connect the members of our diverse Hungarian society. Work, home, family, health and order – these will be the pillars of our common future.

The National Cooperation System is open for every Hungarian. It is shared by Hungarians living in and out of Hungary. It is an opportunity for, as well as a requirement of, everybody who lives, works or has an undertaking in Hungary. We firmly believe that we will be able to change Hungary’s future through the solidarity represented by the National Cooperation System and build a strong and successful country. This solidarity that releases tremendous energies and gives great hope to every Hungarian wherever they live in the world and whatever their age, sex, religion and political views, after decades gives a chance to the Hungarians to fulfill their own goals at last. This is what we stake the coming years of our lives on.

The National Justice Council (Országos Igazságszolgáltatási Tanács) announced in July 2010 that courts in Hungary would not display the Declaration of National Cooperation because doing so would be incompatible with the principle of judicial neutrality (source in Hungarian). The office of President László Sólyom also refused to post the declaration (source in Hungarian).

Last updated: May 30, 2016.