Hungarian Politics

[Tonitrus]

Not that much.  But it would be very hard to see Hungarians facing west if it came to a shooting war.

Agreed.  They'd probably just try and look very small and hide in the corner.

[Ed Anger]

In their beet warrens.

[Martinus]

But that's not the case. Here you've got two small countries who are currently running airlifts in Iraq and Syria, and are still in Afghanistan, who have a particular historic trauma (as the Czech Defence Minister put it a 'psychological problem') to do with foreign troops on their soil saying 'thanks for the offer, but no'.

Sorry but their "particular historic trauma" is pretty peanuts compared to what Poland or the Baltics went through during the last century. So, yeah, they are cowards as they have always been and it is preposterous for them to insist on exceptional treatment due to something that essentially every country in the region experienced within the living memory.

[Syt]

http://af.reuters.com/article/commoditiesNews/idAFL6N0SB2XF20141016

EU commission sues Hungary over foreigners' right to buy farmland

BRUSSELS Oct 16 (Reuters) - The European Commission started legal action against Hungary on Thursday over the right of foreigners to buy agricultural land, saying restrictions on such purchases violated the European Union's principle of free movement of capital.

"Hungarian legislation has restricted the rights of cross-border investors in a way that may violate EU law on free movement of capital and freedom of establishment," the Commission said in a statement.

"The European Commission has today decided to formally request Hungary to submit its observations on its legislation terminating certain contractual rights of investors to use agricultural land," it said.

This is the first stage of the infringement procedures under EU law and Hungary has two months to respond.

"legislation terminating certain contractual rights of investors to use agricultural land" => When Hungary joined the EU (or even before?) they attracted foreign investors to develop agricultural land through long term leases. Those leases were meant to expire with a 20 year notification period. Orban has changed that time frame to a couple of months in a "Hungarian soil for Hungarians" kind of move, prompting major protests from Austrian investors.

[Valmy]

One wonders how far one can go without getting booted out of the EU.

[Tonitrus]

The EU doesn't like to give anyone an economic beet down.

[Tamas]

But that's not the case. Here you've got two small countries who are currently running airlifts in Iraq and Syria, and are still in Afghanistan, who have a particular historic trauma (as the Czech Defence Minister put it a 'psychological problem') to do with foreign troops on their soil saying 'thanks for the offer, but no'.

Sorry but their "particular historic trauma" is pretty peanuts compared to what Poland or the Baltics went through during the last century. So, yeah, they are cowards as they have always been and it is preposterous for them to insist on exceptional treatment due to something that essentially every country in the region experienced within the living memory.

And in general, at this point my only hope is that Hungary doesn't switch from EU to Eurasian Union before I can get my British passport for extra protection when I visit home.

[Tamas]

On the US banning some folks, the government has making half-assed attempts at telling how the USA is a good friend of Hungary and how they will act on any corruption intel the Great Sa... I mean the USA might have.

Also there seems to be visible shellshock and scare on their side over the whole thing. I think they were waaay too used to being two-faced shameless bastards and getting away with it. The US is not the EU, however.

Didn't stop them from having the vice-chair of Parliament travel to Iran for some cozy-ing up with an Iranian MP using the chance to blame the Middle East's instability on the stupidity of the US and its allies. Hungarian guy concluded with declaring it a priority for Hungary to have closer relationships with Eastern countries, Iran in particular.

http://www.tasnimnews.com/English/Home/Single/535153


I can't help but keeping patting myself in the back for GTFO-ing from there.

[Tamas]

Oh and our brand new Foreign Minister, Szijjarto, is in Washington.

What you need to know about this guy (aged 36) is that his only accomplishment in life has been the unquestionable loyalty to Orban. Straight from college he joined party ranks and he came into the public scene as press secretary. There was NOTHING stupid or blatant enough for him not to say with a straight face. He was obedient and enthusiastic: if no Fidesz politican could add his face to talk of something silly (in opposition as well), he was there.

The declared goal of his ministry is to "shift foreign policy to gaining business opportunities". They have removed basically everyone with diplomatic experience in his ministry IIRC. Probably they slowed business down by saying stuff like "the USA will kick our ass for this".

So yeah, I am waiting what kind of damages he will do in Washington. I expect he is on phone with Orban 24 hours while there, because I haven't heard or read him having any kind of unique thought during his political carreer. Like zip. None. He has been a parrot of Orban. He will be eaten alive by even half-talented diplomats.

[celedhring]

http://www.portfolio.hu/en/economy/hungary_to_impose_internet_levy_in_2015_tax_plans_show.28561.html

changes to the tax regime to be implemented in 2015. An amendment of the telecom law is also included, according to which the telecom tax would be extended to Internet services. The tax will be proportionate to data traffic and every gigabyte started will cost 150 forints.


Varga has already told a press conference earlier today that the scope of the telecom tax would be extended to Internet services. He argues that the original subject of the levy, namely phone calls are made and text messages are sent mostly not traditional tools, rather through the Internet.

2014.10.21 14:34
Hungary will keep special taxes even in 2015 - minister

Péter Banai, state secretary responsible for budget issues at the National Economy Ministry, told an online press conference today that the Internet tax is estimated to generate HUF 20 bn for the budget.

1 Gb = 150 florints = 60 dollar cents.

According to my IP I consume about 20gb every month just browsing and using email (without downloads), that's 12 bucks in tax if I were Hungarian. Add to it stuff I purchase from, say, itunes or steam and the thing goes through the roof.

Of course I assume this is aimed at discouraging the free flow of information through internet.

[Admiral Yi]

It could very easily be a way of raising revenue without inconveniencing their own constituency.

[celedhring]

It seems a pretty hefty tax to me.

[Jacob]

It seems a pretty hefty tax to me.

Yeah, there are a lot of GB cycling through the internet, even in Hungary. Seems like a whole lot of free money for the government. It'll be interesting to see to what degree it might hit "regular government supporting" Hungarians.

[Admiral Yi]

It seems a pretty hefty tax to me.

Sure, but the democratic discourse blah blah stuff you're talking about doesn't eat much bandwidth.

[celedhring]

It seems a pretty hefty tax to me.

Sure, but the democratic discourse blah blah stuff you're talking about doesn't eat much bandwidth.

It will still force IPs to raise prices across the board to pass the expense to consumers, ending up limiting internet usage whether it's to download porn or to check opposition blogs.

It really seems a lot of money to me (again, assuming the source is reliable, a friend sent it to me), particularly given that Hungary has less than half the per capita income of the US, for example.