Anti-immigrant sentiment strong but down from April

The leading left-wing daily interprets a new opinion poll as proof that what it calls the government’s anti-immigration campaign has been a failure.

On Tuesday, Tárki polling company reported that anti-immigrant sentiment has slightly declined since April. According to the poll, 39 per cent of the population had strong anti-immigrant feelings, a 7 point decline from the record high in April. In the July survey, 5 per cent said that all asylum seekers should be admitted without restraint, while 56 agreed that only refugees should be given shelter. Anti-immigrant sentiments are stronger among Jobbik voters, under-educated, poor Hungarians and in the countryside. Highly qualified, wealthier urban people and active churchgoers are more pro-immigrant than the average.

In a front page editorial, Népszabadság expresses cautious optimism over this latest survey on xenophobia. It accuses the government of attempting to stir up hatred against migrants and greets the significant decline of anti-immigrant feelings among the population as a pleasant surprise. In the leading left-wing daily’s interpretation, the survey shows that Hungarians “are coming to their senses” and instead of “categorical rejection”, most believe the asylum seekers’ applications should be considered.

Tags: immigration, migration