Category Archives: Western criticism of Hungary

Neelie Kroes on Hungary: “Full compliance with fundamental rights norms should be evident to all EU Member States”

Posted on March 5, 2012 by

“Hungary is a member of the Council of Europe, a body that has been setting standards for the protection of fundamental rights in Europe for over half a century since adoption of the European Convention on Human Rights. Their recommendations … Continue reading →

Posted in András Bencsik, Békemenet (Peace March), European Commission, József Szájer, Neelie Kroes, Péter Szijjártó, sovereignty, Western criticism of Hungary, Zsolt Bayer | 2 Comments

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

Posted on February 23, 2012 by

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 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 Dear Leader To His People: A Christmas Interview with Viktor Orbán

Posted on December 27, 2011 by

The Christmas edition of the Hungarian daily Magyar Nemzet reached the government’s eager supporters complete with a lengthy interview featuring Hungary’s Prime Minister, Viktor Orbán. Mr. Orbán is most interesting as a politician when he is speaking to his own, and since one could hardly … Continue reading →

Posted in Hungarian government, Hungary, international politics, Viktor Orbán, Western criticism of Hungary | Tagged , , | 10 Comments

European Journalists’ Solidarity Petition to Support Journalists in Hungary

Posted on October 5, 2011 by

From the media release of EFJ, the European Federation of Journalists:

Posted in Hungary, media law, restrictions of media freedoms, Western criticism of Hungary | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Der Spiegel: The Goulash Archipelago – EU Remains Silent as Hungary Veers Off Course

Posted on August 20, 2011 by

On Monday, the German-language weekly Der Spiegel published an exceptionally comprehensive piece on the most disconcerting political developments in Hungary that took place during this summer and on the reasons why this must worry the international community, and the European … Continue reading →

Posted in European Union, Fidesz, former prime ministers, Hungarian government, Hungary, közfoglalkoztatási törvény, közmunka, media law, parliament, public media firings, unemployment, US-Hungarian diplomatic relationships, Viktor Orbán, Western criticism of Hungary | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Dysfunctional: What Happens in Hungary Stays in Hungary

Posted on August 1, 2011 by

It is not merely of quaint sociological importance when people come to entertain the notion that it constitutes “treason” – a betrayal of the nation – to discuss Hungary’s domestic politics internationally. Children from a dysfunctional family background soon learn … Continue reading →

Posted in autocracy, democracy watch, hazaárulás, Hungary, közszolgálati médiumok, Viktor Orbán, Western criticism of Hungary | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

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

Posted on July 28, 2011 by

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

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