Monthly Archives: February 2012

Hungarian Opposition Group Harassed by Tax Authority

Posted on February 29, 2012 by The Contrarian Hungarian

The freedom to peacefully assemble remains a constitutional right in Hungary. The protection from being harassed when engaged in such activity: not so much, at least not in the current government’s practice. The National Tax and Customs Administration of Hungary has … Continue reading →

Posted in Hungary | 9 Comments

Trouble in Sajókaza: Being Buddhist and Roma

Posted on February 28, 2012 by The Contrarian Hungarian

Last week, uniformed police officers surrounded the high school of a small Hungarian town. Their targets: four Roma students, all between the ages of 14 and 16, who were to be arrested and transported in handcuffs for questioning at the … Continue reading →

Posted in András Jóri, Hungarian Roma | Tagged , , , , , , | 17 Comments

Hungarian Gov’t to Fund Scientific Society against Premarital Sex

Posted on February 26, 2012 by The Contrarian Hungarian

Sexual relationships before marriage, cohabitation, and non-heterosexual relationships are harmful, according to a new initiative funded by the Hungarian government. The Hungarian Society for the Science of the Family (Magyar Családtudományi Társaság) was founded on Febr. 24. Among its members … Continue reading →

Posted in Hungarian government, Hungarian youth, Hungary | Tagged , , , , | 15 Comments

Political Debate in the Homeland (#2): The Behavior of Colonialists

Posted on February 23, 2012 by The Contrarian Hungarian

The unique style of political debate in Hungary was already given ample space on this blog in last week’s post about pro-government journalist Zsolt Bayer’s television show. Continuing what might end up an entire series, this post introduces another talk … Continue reading →

Posted in András Bencsik, Békemenet (Peace March), Echo TV, European Parliament, Hungary, Imre Kerényi, Neelie Kroes, Western criticism of Hungary | 16 Comments

Political Debate in the Homeland: Hungarian Television Show Analyzes EP Hearing on Hungarian Democracy

Posted on February 13, 2012 by The Contrarian Hungarian

The following are excerpts from a broadcast seen on a government-friendly television station in Hungary on February 10, 2012. “Korrektúra” (Editing Proof) provides political commentary during its regularly scheduled 30-minute slot on Echo TV. Last week, the show’s three panelists … Continue reading →

Posted in Békemenet (Peace March), Echo TV, European Commission, European Union, Hungary, Neelie Kroes, Ulrike Lunacek, Western criticism of Hungary, Zsolt Bayer | Tagged , | 128 Comments

The Malév Story

Posted on February 11, 2012 by The Contrarian Hungarian

March 1: update to the story (last section) Upon Malév’s announcement of its bankruptcy on February 3, it was hard not to feel like being caught in an emergency drill. The future holds other, much more challenging defaults for the Hungarian … Continue reading →

Posted in Gyula Budai, Hungary, Malév, Németh Lászlóné | Tagged , , | 22 Comments

Neo-Nazi Protesters Clash with Police and Anti-Fascist Protesters over Transfer of Theater to The Far-Right

Posted on February 2, 2012 by The Contrarian Hungarian

The artists of Budapest’s New Theater bid farewell to their audience in proper style: their last collaboration was a stage adaptation of Thomas Mann’s novel The Magic Mountain. Given the change of directors, the play will only be seen four … Continue reading →

Posted in Fidesz, Hungarian far-right militias, Hungary, New Theater (Új Színház) | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments