Monthly Archives: July 2011

Caught in the Web of Hazy Thinking, Hungary’s Jobbik Distances Itself from Norwegian Tragedy

Posted on July 30, 2011 by The Contrarian Hungarian

To begin with, let’s concede that Jobbik, Hungary’s extreme-right parliamentary party is not immediately responsible for the actions of Norwegian terrorist Anders Behring Breivik. To accuse them of having any agency in Breivik’s actions would truly be absurd. Let’s also … Continue reading →

Posted in European Union, FPÖ, Gábor Vona, Hungarian far-right, Hungary, Jobbik, Krisztina Morvai, neo-nazis in Hungary | Tagged | 5 Comments

Questions Remaining about Thomas Melia’s Critical Assessment of the Hungarian Government

Posted on July 28, 2011 by The Contrarian Hungarian

Perhaps another, longer post would be in order to explain the democratic theory on which Thomas Melia’s criticisms of Hungary are based and the reasons why he presented a laundry-list of critical issues which, in his opinion, pose a great … Continue reading →

Posted in constitution, Deutsch Tamás, English-language Hungarian news, European Union, Fidesz, Hungarian, Hungary, Németh Zsolt, parliament, Péter Szijjártó, Thomas Melia, US-Hungarian diplomatic relationships, Viktor Orbán, Western criticism of Hungary | Leave a comment

Deutsch vs. Melia: But Who the Heck Is Tamás Deutsch?

Posted on July 27, 2011 by The Contrarian Hungarian

Yet again, there is an obscene amount of time and space spent in the Hungarian press on a famous Fidesz politician’s own obscene communications. That the vulgarities targeted a high-ranking US diplomat, who just one day ago “dared” criticize legislation … Continue reading →

Posted in Deutsch Tamás, English-language Hungarian news, Fidesz, Hungarian reception of Western criticism, Hungary, Németh Zsolt, Thomas Melia, US-Hungarian diplomatic relationships, Viktor Orbán, Western criticism of Hungary | Tagged , | 5 Comments

The Hungarian Connection of the Norwegian Tragedy

Posted on July 27, 2011 by The Contrarian Hungarian

In the wake of the bombing and shooting spree in Norway, the Hungarian media has dedicated considerable amount of attention to Anders Behring Breivik’s Hungarian connections.

Posted in Hungarian far-right, Hungary, Jobbik | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Jobbik Mayor vs. Fidesz MP: Tarantula Dreams of Being Butterfly, Does Not Want to Be Eaten While Cocoon

Posted on July 25, 2011 by The Contrarian Hungarian

Weekend of  July 23-24, 2011: Scandal Around Newly Elected Jobbik Mayor, and Viktor Orbán Gives Another Speech at Tusnádfürdő  

Posted in Fidesz, Gyöngyöspata, Hungarian Roma, Hungary, Jobbik, Viktor Orbán | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Who Finances the Hungarian Extreme Right

Posted on July 23, 2011 by The Contrarian Hungarian

Hungarian neo-nazi organizations do not live on a big budget. Their expenses are met from member donations, small contributions from individual sympathizers, grants from civic organizations, and the profit of economic enterprise. Through certain channels however they also receive money … Continue reading →

Posted in Hungary, neo-nazis in Hungary | Tagged | 2 Comments

War Crimes Trial in Hungary: After Court Acquits His Client, Képíró’s Lawyer Files Appeal

Posted on July 20, 2011 by The Contrarian Hungarian

Today the defense attorney for Sándor Képíró, a gendarme captain of the Hungarian Army during a 1942 raid against partisans fighting against the Nazi occupation filed an appeal in the case against his client at the Budapest Metropolitan Court. During the course of … Continue reading →

Posted in English-language Hungarian news, extreme right electoral wins, Gyöngyöspata, Hungarian Roma, Hungary, Jobbik, neo-nazis in Hungary | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Adding Fuel to the Fire? – Hungarian Town Famous for Neo-Nazi Invasion during the Spring Elects Neo-Nazi Mayor

Posted on July 18, 2011 by The Contrarian Hungarian

Is it going to have any retroactive impact on how we might remember the events of the spring – during which zealous neo-nazi militias patrolled the streets of Gyöngyöspata as part of a campaign of intimidation directed at the town’s Roma population – … Continue reading →

Posted in Gyöngyöspata, Hungary, neo-nazis in Hungary | Tagged , | 3 Comments

From Democracy to Autocracy: The Finishing Touches Are in the Electoral Law

Posted on July 15, 2011 by The Contrarian Hungarian

Even before Fidesz, Hungary’s governing party obtained a 2/3 majority in the Hungarian Parliament in 2010, there were speculations about a possible game plan that could have assured that they remain in power forever.

Posted in autocracy, Áder János, democracy watch, electoral law, Hungarian, Hungary, international politics, parliament, sarkalatos törvények, választójogi törvény | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

What’s New in Hungary Is That There Are No More News. Not By the Creme of the Profession Anyway.

Posted on July 10, 2011 by The Contrarian Hungarian

550 employees, the majority of them journalists, of public news organizations have lost their job last week in Hungary; by the beginning of the fall, this number could total as many as 1000, almost one-third of the public media employees … Continue reading →

Posted in Annamária Szalai, democracy watch, Hungary, international politics, közszolgálati médiumok, media law, public media firings | 3 Comments

Falra Hányt Borsó: Why Did the European Parliament Decide to Scrutinize the Hungarian Constitution

Posted on July 7, 2011 by The Contrarian Hungarian

Since the European Parliament passed a resolution directing the European Council to “thoroughly examine” the Hungarian constitution, and to return to them an analysis of potential human rights and EU treaty violations it might contain, I must have read at … Continue reading →

Posted in constitution, European Union, Hungarian, Hungary, international politics, tiltás tűrés támogatás, Viktor Orbán | Tagged | 2 Comments

Koki és Saller: Hungarian PM Boasts of His Playground Behavior

Posted on July 5, 2011 by The Contrarian Hungarian

Fortunately we did not have to wait too long for a thoughtful assessment of Hungary’s EU-presidency from Hungary itself. It came from no other than Viktor Orbán, Hungary’s prime minister. He of course proved himself worthy of the mounting expectations. … Continue reading →

Posted in EU presidency, Hungary, saller és koki, Viktor Orbán | Tagged , | 1 Comment