Viktor Orbán
Silence of statues in Budapest's Memento Park, House of Terror
Budapest’s Park, built shortly after the fall of communism, commemorates the visual iconography of four decades under communist rule in the Hungarian capital. In sharp contrast to its frozen lethargy, the House of Terror bursts with life. Could things have been different for Hungary today if it had a revolution back in 1989?
viktor orbán, reagan, lenin, joseph stalin, cold war, communism, cities
Slovakia elections: Austrian, German, Hungarian, Czech and local media on Fico win
Robert Fico's social democratic party Smer emerged from Slovakia's early elections with an absolute majority on 10 March, while the ruling conservatives lost two-thirds of their electoral base. Fico must put aside his arrogant, populist ways and tackle the rampant corruption in the country, say the European media
viktor orbán, change, robert fico, vote, greece, hungary, euweek
Hungary: Klubradio’s silence
While the international press talks of a ‘new Europe’ and rating agencies note an upward economic trend in eastern Europe, the wind is blowing in the opposite direction in Hungary. The advance of nationalism doesn’t only undermine democracy, pluralism and the liberty of an entire nation but it also has disastrous effects on the economy
viktor orbán, censorship, best of cafebabel.com, censorship, hungary, economy, human rights
Hungary, ‘Orbanistan’ and French media sensationalism
What can be said of the international media frenzy that followed the Hungarian constitution coming into effect on 1 January, which described prime minister Viktor Orban's government as 'fascist' and even evoked Hungary's exclusion from the EU? For some Hungarians, such headlines are the product of a caricature, a lack of understanding even, of their country’s history. For others, the international press has flagged up wider concerns
viktor orbán, dictature, hungary, european media, nicolas sarkozy, journalism, constitution
Activist András Istvánffy on ‘Hungary's permanent protest culture since 2006’
While the Hungarian government has been closing popular venues, the 4K! or fourth republic! movement has been attempting to reclaim public places through flash mobs and other actions. We meet the platform's coordinator
viktor orbán, fidesz, hungary, youth, budapest, interview, civil society
(Don’t) occupy Budapest: the right to protest in Hungarian streets
Something is rotten in the state of Hungary. The Hungarian government has reserved the entire city centre for celebrations on the upcoming national holiday, effectively blocking potential demonstrations. An overview of the opposition’s reaction
Hungary's new constitution from 1 January: undemocratic or just weak?
The extremely ‘unified’ structure of the Hungarian constitution is among the major causes of inefficient governance during the past two decades, says one philosopher from Budapest
viktor orbán, fidesz, hungary, europe, jobbik, politics, constitution
Hungary introduces tax on crisps
Prime minister Viktor Orban’s government has set itself the task of driving unhealthy eating habits out of Hungary. They are now trying to do this with the help of the so-called crisps tax which came into effect on 1 September
viktor orbán, health, food, hungary, public health, yum nyam, childhood obesity
Hungary youth: 'I stay out of politics but am Facebook friends with Viktor Orbán'
The new controversial constitution, the first to be created on an iPad, was voted into law by the national assembly on 18 April and signed by the president on 25 April. Hungary’s youth remain apolitical, even to a new rule which would violate human rights. cafebabel.com Budapest interviewed fifty young Hungarians
viktor orbán, fidesz, protest, gay rights, discrimination, hungary, lgbt
Laszlo Tengelyi: the problem of being a philosopher in Hungary
On 8 January Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban launched an investigation into the use of grant money awarded to five philosophers. Questions to a Hungarian-born philosopher who spearheaded an international petition, 'Protect the Philosophers!' from Germany, where he is based
viktor orbán, eu presidency, fidesz, money, university, corruption, germany
Hungary media law: France journalism cases no better
On 15 March tens of thousands of Hungarians protested against the government's planned media law. Even the European parliament's socialist, liberal, ecologist and far left politicians adopted a resolution asking for the suspension of the law, which 'needs re-examination'. Republication of an interview with a Rue89 journalist
viktor orbán, corruption, censorship, hungary, internet, journalism, society
Viktor Orban: who's been a naughty boy at the European parliament?
A fierce dispute broke out between Hungarian prime minister and EU parliamentarians during Orbán's speech marking his country's EU Council presidency. The MEPs were above all critical of Hungary's new media law. While Orbán's reaction cast his country in a dim light, the criticism went too far and was implausible, write Hungarian, German and Slovakian commentators
viktor orbán, freedom of opinion, hungary, euweek, european media, media, european parliament
From 1 January Hungary media under control
On 20 December Hungary's right-wing conservative government passed a restrictive media law; a new authority will control public television and radio broadcasters, as well as private media. The German, Italian and local press say this attack on press freedom augurs poorly for Hungary's six-month presidency of the council of the European Union. Press review
viktor orbán, eu presidency, censorship, hungary, euweek, politics
Hungarian minorities in Slovakia: small arrangements between enemies
One week after a law proposing Hungarian nationality to ethnic Hungarians abroad, prime minister Viktor Orbán announced a new era of 'national unity' during his prime ministerial inauguration on 29 May. Hungary is choosing the route of hostile nationalism, much to the delight of Slovak populists
viktor orbán, fidesz, identity, robert fico, economical crisis, racism, nationalism
Why Hungary and Slovakia are at odds
On 25 May the Slovakian parliament warned Hungary not to offer citizenship to ethnic Hungarians living in neighbouring countries. The Austrian, Hungarian and Slovakian press accuse the two of using the issue to ignore domestic problems
viktor orbán, identity, robert fico, eu passport, hungary, euweek, freedom of movement
AFP and the cruelties of web journalism
Heinz Fischer, prime minister of Hungary. On 24 April, a French press agency dispatch which wrongly earmarked the Austrian president as Hungarian PM made the rounds in the French-speaking media. We understand
viktor orbán, jean quatremer, internet, media, journalism, web 2.0, france
Viktor Orbán, your boomerang Hungarian prime minister
The centre-right conservative Fidesz party achieved a two-thirds majority in the second round of Hungary's parliamentary elections on 25 April. With his absolute majority, the future premier will do the country harm, warn some. Others say give him a chance. The Austrian, Hungarian and Slovakian press react
Swing right, sweet Hungarian election chariot: first round election results
The right-wing conservative alliance of young democrats or 'Fidesz' scooped Hungary's parliamentary elections on 11 April (52.7%). The socialists in power scored a measly 19.3%. Right-wing extremist Jobbik party entered parliament for the first time (16.7%). The Hungarian, Slovakian, Austrian and Italian media on whether the victory is the start of a new era or a rude awakening
viktor orbán, fidesz, eurotopics, hungary, budapest, press review, jobbik
Looking for Hungarian activism in election Budapest
On 11 and 25 April Hungarian voters are poised to elect the right or even the far-right. Only a handful of people in the country are swimming against the increasingly strong right-wing tide – and even these few are drifting off course, or have thrown their faith in politics completely overboard
viktor orbán, fidesz, jews, racism, neo-fascism, cities, hungary
Understanding nationalist ideology in Hungary: 'enormous potential for violence'
Victory in April’s elections is assured for the populist opposition party (Fidesz) and right-wing extremists (Jobbik). Magdalena Marsovszky, a Germano-Hungarian cultural scientist researching anti-semitism and right-wing extremism in Hungary, explains
viktor orbán, fidesz, jews, racism, neo-fascism, nationalism, discrimination
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