Hungarian Politics

[Tamas]

There have been some moves against the well-known organized crime figures recently. Some of them at least. All of them rose to power in the early 90s, when our present Minister of Interior, ex-police officer, also had some shady business connections.

It was alleged that testimonies of these figures led to the arrest of several high-ranked police officers. Others said it is one branch of organized crime, the one in bed with the present minister, moving to eliminate the other.

I am not sure what to make of that. But I gotta' tell you, the sudden and swift DISBANDING of the ENTIRE organized crime division looks suspicious.

[Martinus]

I'm unclear about your post. Are you talking about moves being taken against mafia or mafia-fighting police units?

[Tamas]

I'm unclear about your post. Are you talking about moves being taken against mafia or mafia-fighting police units?

both

[Tamas]

Today's second topic is...

watermelons!


Hungarians like watermelons. We also like fried chicken, yes.

Politicans like to take up the watermelon subject during summer. This year, agriculture's state secretary, former dude in charge of uncovering socialist illegal stuff (failed), basically strong armed food chains to seel watermelon on 90 forints per kg.  Up from around 60.
This was to "save the farmers". Of course, he didn't bother explaining how the final sale price help the farmers, whose watermelons are bought up by distributors who then sell to foodchains who then sell it to the public.

Since the announcement, the commerce-whatever office declared this to be unlawful carteling. Not that it changed anything yet.

I am mentioning this because this state secretary prick just told on a public forum, and I do quote:
"so, the socialists and the commerce-whatever office is telling that I formed a cartel. So? What can they do with me? What can they do with the ministry? What can they do with the government?"


And that's the way the cookie crumbles around here, folks!

[Martinus]

Pity - the Hungarian anti-cartel office has had a rather good reputation in the region as both competent and corruption-free. Shame that Orban's government is bent on destroying that.

[Tamas]

Is it just me, or having 5.8% inflation while the GDP shrinks 1.2% is indeed an achievment?

[Martinus]

You are being sarcastic, right?

[Tamas]

You are being sarcastic, right?

Yes. I don't get how we can get skyrocketing prices when the economy shrinks, and some sectors (like construction) basically stops functioning

[Tamas]

Orban spoke to a gathering of ambassadors. He declared that Hungary has been more successful in countering the crisis than western europe (I guess record negative GDP "growth" and record high inflation counts as two achievements), but we shouldn't get carried away with pride as not all the results are showing.

Also this successful new way of doing this had to have its criticism. His example: "when we say we tax the banks, there ought to be upheveal. But we must say 'yes we will tax them' and not just temporarily, but for the next 20 years".
Well, he HIMSELF said "temporary" just a few months ago. This guy is the master of doublespeak.

Also, his term of "opening toward the east" (which in practice means worshipping China and other SE Asian worker hellholes for their "efficiency") is "deliberately misunderstood". This is something, he says, that the West has been doing already. His prime example was the Dutch, who opened so much that even conquered territories there centuries ago.

[Tamas]

The English-speaking branch of Iranian state TV uncovers the truth in Hungary:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sO8CoEWUGuw&feature=player_embedded#!

[Syt]

I like how they show the Austrian banks (well, that part of Unicredit was Bank Austria) in the teaser.

[Syt]

Also, post that video in the Paradox thread.

[Syt]

Not to mention the top comment on YouTube:

Zionists further attempting to corrupt and control the world. BURN THEIR HOMES TO THE GROUND AND CHASE THEM INTO THE SEA! Leave their kind no place to harbor their violence and tyranny. Allow the people to reclaim their wealth and the world to move forward in peace.
skb0rzn 1 day ago 16 

[Tamas]

even a study from their ministry of justice found the government's plan on voter registration as problematic.

Current plans is that there would be a deadline several months before the general elections by which time everyone who wanted to participate would have to appear in their municipality council office in person (or by delegate) and register for participation.

Funnily enough, they will grant voting right for Hungarian citizens outside of the border, and they will not have to register, and they will be able to vote electronically, or in the mail, while Hungarian residents will not be able to do either (and have to register).

Together with the planned stopping of state funding for political parties, the abolishment of the second round of elections, the new system which gives a huge number of extra seats for the winner of the election, and the new division of voting districts which have been drawn so that the elections which FIDESZ lost would had resulted in FIDESZ victory if these new borders would had been in effect, I am considering boycotting the election in 2014, because it will be very heavily rigged toward FIDESZ victory.

[Tamas]