Category Archives: EN

Hungary: Halfway To Authoritarianism

Posted on March 15, 2013 by ellenpolus

Today is Revolution Day in Hungary, an annual celebration marking the Hungarian people’s 1848 uprising against the Habsburg Monarchy. Often observed with political demonstrations, this year’s holiday comes at a significant moment, only days after the country’s Parliament passed a … Continue reading →

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Occupy Hungary? [VIDEO]

Posted on March 15, 2013 by ellenpolus

This Monday, the Hungarian Parliament passed a constitutional amendment that is raising serious concerns among defenders of civil liberties in Europe. After several years of defeats at the hands of Hungary’s highest Constitutional Court, the conservative right–dominated Parliament voted 265-11 … Continue reading →

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Hungary Rejects Criticism of Constitution Changes

Posted on March 15, 2013 by ellenpolus

Rejecting criticism from the EU, the U.S. and human rights groups, Hungary’s prime minister insisted Thursday that recent constitutional changes aren’t threatening democracy and the rule of law in the Eastern European nation. Prime Minister Viktor Orban said those concerns … Continue reading →

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President János Áder’s visit to Berlin and the “stormy meetings” with German politicians

Posted on March 14, 2013 by biocsibe

MTI, the Hungarian news agency, by now completely under the thumb of the Orbán government, makes sure that Hungarians get mighty little foreign news about their country. A good example is MTI’s coverage of President János Áder’s visit to Berlin. … Continue reading →

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Hungary restricts campaign freedoms ahead of EU elections

Posted on March 13, 2013 by ellenpolus

BRUSSELS – Recent amendments passed by Hungarian lawmakers will restrict advertising campaigns for European Parliament elections. European Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso raised the issue last Friday (8 March) in a letter addressed to Prime Minister Viktor Orban. The letter, … Continue reading →

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Brussels struggles to bring Hungary back into line

Posted on March 13, 2013 by ellenpolus

Hungary’s decision to change its constitution and limit the power of its top court is a forthright challenge to the European Union, and the uncomfortable truth in Brussels is that little can be done to rein Budapest in quickly. The … Continue reading →

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Germany leads EU criticism of Hungary reforms

Posted on March 13, 2013 by ellenpolus

Germany is leading a chorus of international criticism of Hungary ’s decision to change its constitution and restrict the power of its highest court, in the latest clash between the EU and Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban. Hungary’s parliament, which … Continue reading →

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