The well-known Dutch immigration critic and member of parliament Geert Wilders has been awarded the Commander’s Cross of the Hungarian Order of Merit by Hungarian President Orbán.
Wilders is a member of the Partij voor de Vrijheid (PVV) in the Dutch Parliament and also its chairman. He received the award “in recognition of his consistent support for Hungary and his work to curb illegal immigration,” the Hungarian presidential office said. “In recognition of his publication activity in the international press, which has always strengthened Hungary’s reputation, and his writings on the history of the Hungarian minorities in the Carpathian Basin,” the official justification for the award reads.
In a statement, Wilders responded to the award, saying: “I have just been informed that President Novák has awarded me the Commander’s Cross of the Hungarian Order of Merit for my consistent support of Hungary and my activities to curb illegal migration. I feel honored and proud!”
A coincidence? Wilders received his award for his efforts to curb illegal immigration just a day after ex-Chancellor Merkel was awarded by UNESCO for exactly the opposite reason. Merkel received the 2022 UNESCO Peace Prize on Tuesday for “her efforts to welcome refugees.”