Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Hungary

I live in Hungary. I am profoundly concerned about the recent political developments here. The new governing party, Fidesz – party, not coalition - garnered a 2/3 majority in Parliament, meaning they can pass laws and constitutional amendments at will. The new media law created an oversight board with the power to destroy content providers who do not offer 'balanced' news. To enable the retroactive taxation of foreign companies (a popular measure, to be sure) and the nationalization of private health insurance, Parliament took fiscal matters from the jurisdiction of the Constitutional Court. Another check on central authority has been the office of the President of the Republic – this post has been awarded to a yes-man.

The constitution about to be adopted stipulates that once adopted, it can only be undone if two successive terms of Parliament wish to undo it with a two thirds majority. The current revisions, however, only have to be adopted ONCE. The preamble of the new constitution makes it clear that it is intended to cement the rule of a Christian majority, not to protect the freedoms of individuals, and definitely not to protect the rights of any minority. The clause about separation of church and state has been eliminated. Marriage has been defined in the preamble as the union of man and woman. 'Christian values' are emphasized.

The Office of the State Prosecutor is being used to harass people considered opponents of the regime. Former officials (often with justification, but also often without) are investigated and tried for corruption. A steady air of intimidation is settling over the country.

My concern is that once this regime fails – and fail it will, shall, inevitably, as its economic policies will cause mass dissatisfaction and a bloody revolution – the populace will not turn to the discredited liberals for succor. They will turn to the only political force which has not yet taken the reins of power in Hungary: the FAR right. A xenophobic, anti-semitic, violent bunch of neo-nazis, funded by Russia.

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