Hungarian Politics

[Tamas]

[Duque de Bragança]

Seems Orban is gasping at straws. Should we fear an Admiral Horthy and Arrow Cross situation in the future, Tamas? You mentioned that some time ago.
It's not like Hungary has been an immigration country, correct me if I'm wrong. Maybe emigration, judging by Tamas.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/06/03/us-hungary-orban-idUSKBN0OJ0T920150603

Multiculturalism doesn't work in Hungary, says Orban
BUDAPEST

REUTERS/BERNADETT SZABO
The era of multiculturalism is over and Hungary should be spared its effects at all costs, the country's Prime Minister said on Wednesday.

In comments that appeared to toughen his already uncompromising stance on immigration, Viktor Orban was quoted as telling a Hungarian newspaper there should be no "mass-scale" mixing of different creeds.

"Multiculturalism means the coexistence of Islam, Asian religions and Christianity. We will do everything to spare Hungary from that," he said in an interview with daily Napi Gazdasag.

"We welcome non-Christian investors, artists, scientists, but we don't want to mix on a mass scale."

Orban, whose governing Fidesz party is losing ground in the polls to the far-right, anti-immigrant Jobbik party, has clashed with European counterparts over his isolationist views.

At the European Parliament in mid-May, he criticized as "bordering on insanity" EU proposals for migrant quotas drafted in response to thousands of deaths among asylum-seekers trying to reach Europe across the Mediterranean in increasing numbers.

On Wednesday he called Jobbik dangerous for Hungary "because they offer a constant temptation, an intellectual capitulation to the simplest solutions", saying his government would strike a conciliatory tone towards voters.

'CLUMSY' EU

Orban, who has often sparred with Brussels during his five years in power, also criticized the EU's response to economic crisis, calling it the "clumsiest" in the world, and played down prospects of Hungary adopting the euro.

Eastern European countries had a competitive alternative in keeping their own currencies, and Hungary's forint could stay strong and stable for decades if domestic fiscal policy was tightened and economic growth boosted, he told the newspaper.

Central Bank Governor Gyorgy Matolcsy, one of Orban's closest allies, told a forum on Tuesday that Hungary would be able to adopt the euro at any time after 2020.

The central bank moved on Tuesday to channel more market funds towards Hungarian government debt, potentially cutting the country's exposure to foreign currency debt.

[Tamas]

They are really, really pushing the "OMG IMMIGRANTS!!!" thing. Next strawman of theirs.

It's been leaked they have ordered a bunch of huge roadside ads reading "If you come to Hungary, you cannot take the jobs of Hungarians!" in Hungarian, of course
It's really just a huge disgrace.


And its working like magic: now pro-government press and people are arguing for the dangers of immigration and refugees (some of it which is valid I guess, but a total non-issue in the country), the other side arguing with statistics and emotions against this new low the country is sinking to.
Before they started, NOBODY, and I do mean nobody was talking about immigrants. There was some coverage of the poor Syrians coming through our border, but since everyone knew the last thing they want is stay here, nobody really cared.

Meanwhile robbing  the country blind continues uninterrupted.

Also I wonder who the next target group will be, since such PR campaigns become old after a while.

[Tamas]

And of course there is the "national consultation on immigration and terrorism" thing going on, where they mail every househould a questionaire with horribly manipulative and idiotic questions like (almost an exact quote): "While some people say we should spend money on immigrants, others believe the government should support Hungarian families instead. Which one would you prefer?"

[The Brain]

And of course there is the "national consultation on immigration and terrorism" thing going on, where they mail every househould a questionaire with horribly manipulative and idiotic questions like (almost an exact quote): "While some people say we should spend money on immigrants, others believe the government should support Hungarian families instead. Which one would you prefer?"

[Duque de Bragança]

That news item showed up on figaro.fr (conservative newspaper), so posters in the local Have your say section got their panties in a bunch, suddenly full of love for Orban's policies while ignoring the deep differences between France and Hungary regarding immigration and terrorism.

[Valmy]

"While some people say we should spend money on immigrants, others believe the government should support Hungarian families instead. Which one would you prefer?"

All money to Gypsy families.

[Tamas]

That news item showed up on figaro.fr (conservative newspaper), so posters in the local Have your say section got their panties in a bunch, suddenly full of love for Orban's policies while ignoring the deep differences between France and Hungary regarding immigration and terrorism.

Yes. Its only marginally better than France's President throwing a hissy fit about the overgrowth of Panda bear population in France.

[Tamas]

Mayor of Budapest on the Pride march: "it is unnatural and repulsive"

[Tamas]

Meanwhile, financial analyst of the state TV (costing 260 million euros a year, the same amount that would pay for all the deficit in healthcare, the deficit which is about to bankrupt and collapse the whole system), use graphics to compare percentages:

[Tamas]

Following the gay marriage decision in the US, Orban ordered his deputy to plan and finance a "pro-family" PR campaign in Hungary.

Judging by the vile 30s-style anti-immigrant PR campaign and its stunning success in overtaking public discourse (admitedly, the timing was flawless), it is not hard to see that they are at least probing on naming the gays as the next public enemy.

[Valmy]

I guess there is nothing in the EU treaties that protects gays eh?

[Martinus]

I guess there is nothing in the EU treaties that protects gays eh?

There is, but it is predictably not very useful against vile rhetoric.

Surprised by the mayor of Budapest thing - you would have thought at least the mayor of the capital would be if not left leaning, then at least liberal.

[Tamas]

I guess there is nothing in the EU treaties that protects gays eh?

There is, but it is predictably not very useful against vile rhetoric.

Surprised by the mayor of Budapest thing - you would have thought at least the mayor of the capital would be if not left leaning, then at least liberal.

Used to be for like 20 years, the same liberal guy. I don't remember if he even bothered to run in 2010, but predictrably Fidesz' candidate won in the anti-socialist/liberal landslide of that year

[Martinus]

What really happened in Hungary, Tamas? I mean, I can get the country as a whole falling under the right wing spell but usually there are some elites or urban areas where liberal left is more prominent. Why isn't it the case in Hungary?