100 posts
Laws, Rules for Rule of Law?
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Four EU foreign ministers want countries that don’t respect the independence of the legal system, media freedom or similar rights and liberties to be hit where it hurts -- in the wallet.
Central European Links
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Here’s a depressing but interesting story. More and more Jews are moving to Vienna, which sounds rather hopeful…except that they’re coming from Hungary, to get away from anti-Semitism and people like piece o’work Zsolt Bayer.
Morning Briefing: Hungarian Unemployment High, Czech Government Embattled
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Hungarian unemployment is slightly below expectations, latest data showed Friday, but remains in double digits, while in Prague the government faces fresh calls for a no-confidence vote.
Case C-364/10, Hungary v. Slovak Republic
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Slovakia not breaching EU law by refusing President of Hungary entry into its territory. Court furthermore holds that action under Art. 259 TFEU concerning future possible infringements or limited to seeking an interpretation of EU law is inadmi...
Budapest Challenges West
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By Gabor Stier Having announced the policy of openness towards East, Hungary leads “free war” with the...
"Flat Tax Hungary: Born of Tension and Division" by Carl Rowlands
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Some people are getting excited about paying tax. They’re salivating at the prospect of European Transaction Tax, which, though continuing to face opposition from the UK under both Labour and Conservative governments, is widely seen as a just w...
Hungary’s Electoral Law May Complicate Bid for Governing Party’s Rival
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Hungary's government is bombarding its own controversial election bill with amendments, one of which targets the disqualification of its most likely challenger at the next elections in 2014.
Former Hungary Premier Rallies Opposition
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Hungary's former premier Gordon Bajnai is back and he hopes to take a united oppoosition to victory against Viktor Orban in 2014.
Economics and Politics in Hungary – A Situation Report (8 November 2012)
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8 November 2012, 5.00 – 7.00pm One Birdcage Walk, London SW1H 9JJ The Federal Trust is pleased to invite you to a talk by Mr Ferenc Kumin, international spokesperson and adviser for the Hungarian Prime Minister. Mr Kumin will make a presentatio...
Hungarian Blue Chips Cut Workforce
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Two of Hungary’s largest companies announced major layoffs over the weekend and Monday, citing cost-cutting measures and reorganization.
Hungary Sees Gambling as Threat to National Security
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Hungary’s government decided Monday urgent action is needed to crack down on gambling because it eats into people’s incomes and poses a threat to national security.
Hungarians Oppose Government’s Plan for Electoral Change
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A majority of Hungarians are against the government’s plan to require voters to register ahead of the next round of elections, a controversial idea that the opposition has said will distort the result the elections skewing them in the governing par...
Hungary: Parliament Forced to Take Domestic Violence Seriously
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Despite initial setbacks, the Hungarian public has succeeded in convincing the Parliament to treat the issue of domestic violence seriously.
Hungary: Armenian Singer Condemns Diplomatic Failure
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It seems that to some politicians money means more than the honour of their own country or their relations with other countries. This case could affect the stability of the whole region. Lángoló Gitárok, a Hungarian music blog, has published an in...
Hungarian Central Banker Attacks Taxes
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Heavy taxes on banks in Hungary are to blame for a lending freeze in the country, Hungary's central-bank governor, Andras Simor, said in an interview with news portals portfolio.hu and index.hu.
Extradition Safarov: d’assassin à héros national
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L’UE inquiète de la mise en liberté du criminel Ramil Safarov après son extradition de Hongrie.
Hungarian Rate-Setters Say It’s Time to Support Growth
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The Hungarian central bank's August's rate-setting meeting not only brought a surprise rate cut, but also sparked a shift in approach for the Monetary Policy Council, according to newly published minutes.
Hungarian Parliament Accused of Burying Debate on Domestic Violence
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Women’s rights group accused Hungary’s parliament of trying to skirt genuine debate on domestic violence by scheduling discussions on the topic for the middle of the night.
Hungary 1956 counter-revolutionary Bela Biszku arrested
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BBC World News, By Nick Thorpe, 11 July 2012 Bela Biszku is the last surviving member of the communist leadership A former interior minister of Hungary, Bela Biszku, who oversaw the crushing of the 1956 revolu...
Tensions simmer after axe murderer’s pardon
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Hungary’s recent extradition of a convicted axe murderer to Azerbaijan has caused a scandal. At home, the killer was pardoned and celebrated. It’s rumored that Hungary and Azerbaijan brokered a deal for the e...
Hungary Seeks to Change IMF Credit Terms
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Doubts abound regarding the outlooks for Hungary's talks with the EU/IMF with the country's premier showing defiance in the negotiations yet again.
Protesters in Hungary Ask Forgiveness Over Extradition
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A crowd of about 1,500 people gathered late Tuesday in Budapest and asked for Armenia's forgiveness in the extradition of an Azerbaijani man, who had been convicted of murder but was later pardoned and decorated upon his return home.
Hungary Falls in Competitiveness Ranking
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Hungary saw its competitiveness ranking drop sharply in the most recent survey by the World Economic Forum, which counted it down over issues of policy instability, access to financing, regulations and inefficient government bureaucracy.
Blunder in Budapest
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THE return to home and freedom of Ramil Safarov, an Azeri military officer and convicted murderer, has prompted one of central Europe's biggest diplomatic storms. It has pulled in Russia, America and the European Union, and led to a new war of words...
Hungary Taking Heat for Extraditing Azeri Convict
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Hungary is in the focus of an international diplomatic dispute that spurred existing tensions between Azerbaijan and Armenia with the possible consequence of war between the two nations...
Hungary and Azerbaijan made Armenia furious
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Hungary handed over Azerbaijani national and confessed killer of Armenian officer Ramil Safarov to Baku when he was pardoned and promoted. Question: Would you say that this case can escalate even further and is it anything what can the international...
Hungary: Government Criticized for Its Handling of Ramil Safarov's Case
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The extradition of Ramil Safarov to Azerbaijan was based on the belief that he would continue to serve his life sentence there. After Azerbaijan gave amnesty to the convicted murderer, however, Armenia suspended its diplomatic relations with Hungary.
Hungary: Shantytown Destroyed to Help Real Estate Investment
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Some 45-50 people have been living in their makeshift shacks in the abandoned woods of District X in Budapest. Some of the residents have built up self-supporting farms, but in June 2012 the local municipality started to move them out, which is not a...
Hungary Doves Pull Trigger
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Hungary’s Monetary Policy Council defied market expectations and went for a base rate cut Tuesday lowering borrowing costs to 6.75% from 7.00%, the second time within the year when the panel’s external members, appointed by parliament, likely out...
Morning Briefing: Hungarian Politics, Czech Economy Eyed
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Hungary's foreign affairs, the Czech government's outlook for economic growth will be in focus Wednesday while Poland's gas company Polskie Gornictwo Naftowe i Gazownictwo SA (PGN.WA), or PGNiG, holds its general meeting.
Morning Briefing: Hungarian Budget Data, OTP Bank in Focus
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Hungarian budget data and earnings from OTP Bank Nyrt. (OTP.BU) are in focus, as is Czech government plans to return $2.8 billion in religious assets, seized by the former communist regime.
Hungarian ‘Inevitable’ Border Change Remark Causes Stir
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A lawmaker of Hungary’s governing Fidesz party caused an uproar by saying a change of the border between Hungary and Romania was inevitable.
Morning Briefing: Hungarian T-Bill Auction, OTP Results Due
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Investors Thursday will focus on Hungary's 12-month treasury bill auction and on second-quarter earnings from a key Hungarian bank, while Polish markets will reopen following a holiday.
Hungarians Oppose Orban’s Planned Electoral Changes
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An overwhelming majority of Hungarians oppose changes proposed by Prime Minister Viktor Orban to the way voters are registered for elections, a survey conducted by pollster Nezopont Intezet showed.
Hungary Tourist Industry Wants Weather Forecasters To Lighten Up
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Hungarian tourism industry providers want weather forecasters to take a more cheerful tone about bad weather, because the downtrodden reports of clouds and rain are bad for business.
Hungarian Melon Campaign Is a Lemon
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A Hungarian official is drawing criticism after he advocated resorting to cartel-type methods as a means of protecting domestic watermelon farmers from competition.
Hungary Ministry to Promote EU, May Offset Leader’s Skepticism
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Hungary’s Foreign Affairs Ministry will launch an advertisement campaign targeted at households to promote the European Union, under the theme “Costs of non-Europe.”...
Hungarian Athletes Do ‘Miracle’ at London Games
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Hungarian athletes shined once more at the London Olympics with a remarkable overall performance.
Era of Water Polo Dominance Ends for Hungary
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The 2012 Olympic Games in London will go down as a huge disappointment for Hungarian water polo fans as the national team's decade-long Olympic dominance came to an end Wednesday night.
How to Evade the Constitution: The Case of the Hungarian Constitutional Court’s Decision on the Judicial Retirement Age
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Kim Lane Scheppele On Monday 16 July, the Hungarian Constitutional Court handed down its biggest decision of the year. It held that the sudden lowering of the retirement age for judges is unconstitutional because it gave the judges no time … Co...
Hungary Household Debt Scheme Fails to Soothe Fears
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A government scheme to ease the burden on households indebted with foreign currency loans has not soothed consumers' fears over their debt, results from a survey released Wednesday show.
Hungary’s Rate Setters Choose Safety First, Keep Rates High
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A “significant majority” of Hungary’s rate setters Tuesday voted to keep the central bank's base interest rate unchanged at 7%, the highest level in the European Union.
Hungary’s Conservative Youth to Europe’s Rescue?
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Hungary's premier has high hopes and expectations of the country's conservative youth in coming up with their own vision of a future in a rapidly changing European environment.
Morning Briefing: Hungarian Central Bank Rate Call in Focus
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Hungary's central bank is expected to leave the base rate unchanged at 7% Tuesday. The news will take center stage.
Jan-Werner Müller’s latest encounter with Hungary
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Jan-Werner Müller has written a number of scholarly books and articles. I thought highly of several of his writings, but he loses all credibility when he writes about Hungary. And he does so often, it’s not going too far to suggest that he’s bec...
Hungary: Citizens Deploy A Fire Hydrant Task Force
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Below is the interview with Dávid Fáber, the founder of Nagykovácsi.net, a community news site of the town of Nagykovácsi. Following the fire that broke out on March 28 on the Kutya mountain nearby, Mr. Fáber launched the Nagykovácsi Citizen Fi...
Orban has Gone Too Far
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By condoning the Horthy and Nyiro commemorations, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has really crossed a red line.
“Constitutional renewal must be done by Hungarians for Hungarians”
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Conversation between Kim Lane Scheppele, Princeton University and Gábor Halmai, ELTE Budapest and Princeton University. Part 2. Let’s start our tour through more than two decades with the assessment of the Hungarian type of constitution-making.The...
Romania, Hungary and democracy politics
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Romania's centre-left prime minister, Victor Ponta Just how should the EU react when a leader in a country like Romania threatens to undermine the democratic principles the entire European project stands for? Apparently it depends on what poli...
Hungary to Face Hurdles in EU/IMF Credit Talks
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After seven months, Hungary can finally begin talks with the EU/IMF. The negotiations won't be easy.
Morning Briefing: Hungary Central Bank Opinion of ’13 Budget
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Investors in the region will look to Hungary Thursday where the country's central bank will present its analysis of the draft 2013 budget.
Hungarian Minister Sees Economy Doubling in Size over Two Decades
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Hungary is aiming to dramatically expand its economy and double economic output over the coming 15 to 20 years, according to Economy Minister Gyorgy Matolcsy. In what Mr. Matolcsy described as a new era, Hungary has to grow 5% to 6% a year to achiev...
Hungary to Extend Transaction Levy to Raise Funds for Stimulus
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Hungary's governing Fidesz party and economy ministry presented new plans Thursday to next year emerge stronger from recession. The effort will be funded with taxes.
Hungarian Central Bank Sees Economy in Recession
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Hungary's central bank released new forecasts indicating that the country's economy will go into recession this year.
Hungary Targets Strict Budget
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Budapest submitted next year’s draft budget early, which allows lawmakers enough time to make necessary changes to ensure the debt-laden country will meet its strict deficit target for 2013.
Hungary’s Budget Plans Face Risks
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The Hungarian government presented its 2013 budget bill much earlier in the year than is customary in a move it hopes will help improve market confidence and increase predictability. Critics say benefits from the step have been overshadowed by risks.
Hungary: New Freedom of Information Tool
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Vastagbőr blog [hu] is promoting the use of atlatszo.hu's new website KiMitTud ['WhoKnowsWhat'], which allows users to send freedom of information requests to any institutions responsible for spending public funds in Hungary. Vastagbőr...
Morning Briefing: Hungary EU Funds, 2013 Budget in Focus
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Hungary 2013 budget draft and the European Union's verdict on Hungary's development subsidies will be in focus Friday.
Statues of Wartime Leader Stir Emotions in Hungary
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Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban said he welcomes the dispute ignited by new statues honoring World War II-era leader Miklos Horthy, a one-time Hitler ally.
Does Hungary have a new hero?
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MIKLOS HORTHY, Hungary’s wartime leader, whose birthday is today, is enjoying a controversial renaissance. This weekend the mayor of Csókakő, a picturesque village west of Budapest, inaugurated a bust of the admiral, flanked by far-right supporte...
Europe’s Viktors and Democracy’s Downturn
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Article by Christopher Walker and Sylvana Habdank-Kołaczkowska published on European Voice, 7 June 2012 The democratic erosion that has been so visible in Hungary and Ukraine would be less worrying if it were occurring in isolation. Read the arti...
[UPDATED] The EU Soviet? Barroso takes on Orban
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Orban walks on stage in front of Hungary's parliament for Thursday's national day address. [UPDATE] We’ve obtained the English-language version of Orban’s March 13 letter to Barroso requesting assistance on reopening talks with...
Morning Briefing: Hungary’s Orban to Speak On Sovereignty
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Hungary's prime minister is set to deliver a public address in front of the country's parliament that is likely to center on the fight for sovereignty amid creeping European Union federalism.
Hungary Vulnerable to Corruption, Transparency International Says
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Transparency International, an anti-corruption organization, criticized the Hungarian government for failing to deliver on promises to fight corruption.
Government Lets Movement Celebrate Hungary Revolution Anniversary
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The Hungarian government it will let the movement of One Million for Press Freedom celebrate the anniversary of Hungary’s 1848 Revolution on March 15.
Hungary Sees Political Witch Hunt In European Parliament Resolution
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The Hungarian government thinks a European Parliament resolution criticising its new constitution is the result of a deliberate attack from the political left.
Hungary’s Democratic Crisis
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by Joshua Tucker published on The Monkey Cage, on February 13, 2012 Democracy is in crisis in Hungary. With a commanding super majority in Parliament, the Fidesz government, led by Prime Minister Viktor Orban, has enacted a new Constitution and a s...
Hungary Launches Its First Satellite Into Orbit
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Hungary's first satellite, MaSat-1,was launched into space and started circulating in the orbit Monday.
Imre Kertész's Hungary: a country on the wrong side of history | Florence Noiville
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Hungarian Nobel laureate Imre Kertész tells Le Monde literary critic Florence Noiville of his despair at the culture of hatred consuming his countryImre Kertész receives us in slippers, resting on his walking stick and warning us without humour: "O...
The readers' editor on… a story of prejudice that hit a raw nerve in Hungary
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Our report on discrimination against Roma families caused a furore, but none of the complaints I received addressed any points of fact in the articleFor a newspaper, there are few more difficult subjects to tackle than race. When a story itself revol...
Blogging from Davos – I meet Thorbjørn Jagland, Secretary-General of the Council of Europe
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On Wednesday I promised to keep you updated on my meeting today in Davos with Mr Thorbjørn Jagland, the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe. As I expected, it was a very fruitful meeting. We discussed the developments regarding media freedom...
