Although Hungary is no longer the flavour of the week, recent events have left a bitter taste in Hungarian mouths. Hungarians remain outraged at what they consider unfair treatment by the EU, the international media, and world leaders. Many believe that misleading and intolerant news reports appearing in the international community tabloids are painting Hungary in unworthy and unjust colours, which is damaging to the country, the economy and the people. They feel that similar misrepresentation, and ignorance of the real issues within the country were the deciding factors that left Hungary standing defenceless in front of the 1920 Trianon Tribunal. Nobody wants a repeat of that catastrophic event, which has left a gaping wound in the minds, hearts, and souls of all Hungarians.
Burning of the EU flag
The outrage was echoed by the Hungarian Right Wing political party in its condemnation of the battering Hungary has received from the EU. At a demonstration during the week, party representatives burnt the European Union flag in protest, and suggested a referendum to determine if Hungary should leave the EU. Many citizens feel that once again Hungary has been rejected by the west, although generally Hungarians are not against Europe or the EU, only what they perceive as unjustified interference, and malicious slander.
Hugo Chavez of Central Europe
The world media has condemned Hungarian Prime Minister, Viktor Orbán as the Hugo Chavez of Central Europe. He has also earned the nickname Victator, and has more than his share of opponents on the international political circuit. Hungarians realise that there is always room for improvement, however they also feel that many of the criticisms levelled at Hungary and the constitution are without merit. The constitution had not received a major overhaul since 1948, and even opposition spokesmen have stated that in its present format it is far more democratic than it ever was.
Hungary has been battered by invasions and wars. The people watched in silence as their country was slashed to pieces. They have suffered more than their fair share of turmoil, and only wish to live in peace and harmony with their neighbours, and the larger international community. Consequently they have one of the most tolerant, and respectful societies in the world with regard to freedom of speech, race and religion. Condemnation by the west that has questioned Hungary’s democracy, the constitution, media laws, and religious freedom are regarded as completely irrational. Hungarians see this as unjustified meddling in its internal affairs. They acknowledge that the international contempt hurled at Orbán and the country is largely due to opposition party misinformation, as well as media ignorance, although the facts speak volumes.
Hungary’s Past Performance
Hungary has one of the smallest loans of all the EU countries. It is also one of the few that have met all their repayment deadlines. The current inflation has been capped at 4% and the budget deficit is 3 %. The national public debt is 70.3% of the GDP, which is significantly lower than many other EU countries. It is public knowledge that the country’s debt is largely due to the mismanagement of government funds by the previous administration, and not because of any wrongdoing by Orbán’s government. Although the country has a lower standard of living than many larger EU countries, the government believes that with the revival of agriculture and the manufacturing industries, they will be able to create more jobs, and the country could well see a reasonable recovery within an acceptable period of time.
Taking all this into considerations as well as the role Hungary played in the fall of the iron curtain, and the giant strides the country has made since ousting the communist regime, Hungarians are angry at the ferocious verbal attacks they have received from the media, and the EU.
Orbán in Strasbourg
Orbán stood in front of the EU parliament this week with calm dignity, and spoke with confidence in defence of his actions and his nation, and confirmed his willingness to readdress certain issues. He has always maintained that if presented with facts he was ready to co-operate with the EU. He did however remain steadfast in his opinion that some matters were internal affairs, and not within the EU jurisdiction. EU members reacted to Orbán's speech with fierce attacks on Hungary’s media laws, which Orbán defended. He argued that in the age of unrestricted access to the Internet it is unreasonable, and ridiculous to believe that anyone could suppress the media. He also stated that he has had personal experience of living under a dictatorship, and he will not accept any accusations that he a dictator, and the assumptions that Hungary is a dictatorship is insulting to its citizens.
Is Hungary a Threat?
Hungarians applauded Orbán’s convictions in standing up to the EU, and are happy that they finally have a voice; they will not follow European Union double standards blindly like sheep.
Questions are still being asked, and Hungarians wonder why Hillary Clinton and the USA seem to be so interested in the constitution, and so concerned about Hungary. The people believe that following what is perceived as Orbán’s show of defiance, Hungary is seen as a threat to European and EU stability. Hungary has been the catalyst for a number of historical events in the past that has set off a chain reaction within Eastern Europe.
A few European countries have commented positively on Orbán’s stance, including Polish Prime Minister, Donald Tusk, who believes that some opinions on the situation in the country are exaggerated and are unfair. PM Tusk also sent a message to Hungary offering the support of his country if needed. Poland and Hungary share centuries of empathy, and in the face of international disdain the message of solidarity was gratefully received by the Hungarian nation.
Polish journalist Jacek Zakowski stated this week in the Gazeta Wyborcza that the Commission’s legal attack on Hungary over domestic policy smacked of double standards. He stated that Orbán’s approach to the media was no more anti-libertarian than Sarkozy’s power plays on French television, or what Berlusconi did to the Italian media.
Peace March in Support of Orbán.
In a show of support, a peace march was held in Budapest on Saturday 21st January 2012. Hungarians wished to shown the world their unity, and overwhelming support of Viktor Orbán and the government, and categorically denied accusations that Hungary is undemocratic or that Orbán is a dictator. Supporters came from all over the country, and even from areas of Greater Hungary (pre Trianon Treaty Hungary) including Transylvania, Serbia, and Ukraine. Simultaneous marches, as a show of sympathy for Hungary, were also conducted in many neighbouring countries including Poland, and Romania.
The peaceful marchers walked shoulder-to-shoulder, and united against international criticism they responded with solemn pride in their nation. As much as they are part of Europe and the EU, they wish to show that they have a voice and will stand together against their critics.
An estimated 400 000-500 000 peaceful marchers stretched for several kilometres from Hero’s Square along Andrássy Avenue to the Parliament. Hungarians predict that this figure will be drastically minimised in foreign tabloids and news reports. Kossuth Square in front of the Parliament was unable to accommodate the masses that spilled over into side streets. This was the voice of the nation. They hope that the EU, the USA, and the international communities will listen.
The unprecedented turnout, and the feeling of solidarity were reminiscent of the marches that sparked the 1956 Hungarian Revolution. The message from the citizens of Hungary is that they will never be a colony, and they stand united with God and the nation.
Sources:-
19/01/2012 Orbán gets an earful
19/01/2012 Polish politicians show bi-partisan support for Hungary
18/01/2012 Pressed by Europe, Hungary backtracks on New Laws
19/01/2012 Hungary backs down
21/01/2012 Peace March
21/01/2012 Peace March for Hungary
21/01/2012 Economist global debt clock
Erika Gösi - I was born in Hungary, but I have lived abroad all my life where I was fortunate to have experienced many wonders of Africa and Australia, ...
