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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsIt looks like Hungary has their own version of Hugo Chavez
Reading this article was like deja vu all over again. Just replace the word 'communism' with 'capitalism' nearly everywhere you see it in the article and you'll swear this article was written about Chavez and Venezuela.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/hungarys-leader-a-pro-democracy-hero-now-seen-as-threat-to-democratic-achievements/2012/01/13/gIQAfC0FwP_story.html
As a student radical, (Prime Minister Viktor) Orban wrote a stinging analysis of the dirty tricks communists used to cling to power. He now faces accusations of playing by a similar handbook as he consolidates power for his right-wing party and erodes the democracy he once fought for with zeal. Since Orbans party swept to power in 2010, it has used a two-thirds majority in parliament to reshape the countrys laws in a way that has startled political opponents, the EU and the United States.
Taking full advantage of an unassailable legislative majority, a record 213 laws made their way through Parliament in 2011 alone, some within days or even just hours with limited public debate. The constitution itself was created and passed by Fidesz, with the opposition parties boycotting the vote. The way laws have been fast-tracked, and the fact the constitution reflects the conservative world view of one party, have drawn criticism even from some traditional Fidesz supporters.
A key step in the centralization of power was a much-criticized media law that has allowed the party to influence reports in the state media. Critical journalists have been fired and the threat of massive fines has pushed others into self-censorship. A private radio station, Klubradio, which was critical of the government, has been stripped of its frequency and will go off the air in weeks.
The heads of many institutions, from the chief prosecutor to a new judicial chief who will appoint all judges, have been named for terms of nine years and sometimes longer. Even if Fidesz loses the elections now scheduled for 2014, it will nonetheless be able to exert its power for years to come. Fidesz should limit themselves and not take advantage of every possibility they have, (Akos) Balogh, (the chief editor of Mandiner, a political website) said. I was expecting more self-control.
More at the link
HopeHoops
(47,675 posts)She's been following the developments in Hungary and this is a good summary of the climate.
Swede
(33,236 posts)Hopefully this guy gets the boot and these laws be rescinded.