Friday, March 24, 2023

The EU and Hungary

Hungary is a special case within the EU. It has a long and glorious history, and for quite some time it was one of the "better" countries of Central Europe. But for quite some time now, the situation has changed. This started when a former youth and anti-Soviet activist V. Orban and his party Fidesz, came to lead this small Central European nation. 

To consolidate the power, there have been instances when independent judiciary and the free press were suppressed, which of course led to warnings from the EU regulatory bodies. Nevertheless, nationalist, strong-handed politics found a lot of supporters. One of the stronger signs that Hungary is willing to break ranks with other members of the EU was the migrant crisis of 2015, when Hungary in effect declined to take part in joint efforts to distribute and take care of refugees. Multi-millionaire investor G. Soros- backed Central European University was forced out for supposedly being too critical of the situation there. 

At the same time, Hungary was increasing its co-operation with China and Russia. It has been receiving all kinds of investments from these countries and in 2021 it signed an agreement with China to open a Chinese University in Hungary. 

The last indication of Hungary's direction is the announcement that they will not arrest Mr. Putin despite of the International Criminal Court case against him. This of course came after a series of statements by V. Orban that Russia will win in Ukraine and that resistance is futile. 

One can only wonder why they are doing this when people are killed, maimed, injured and property is destroyed in Ukraine. 

Perhaps they are doing this to keep good relations with China? This allows them to benefit from the EU common trade area and at the same time to receive all kinds of trade benefits from China and Russia.  But at the same time, are they not breaking the ranks of the organizations that they are a part of for personal profit at the expense of everybody else?

Somehow, I do feel that we have an enemy in our midst. Of course, I mean not the Hungarian people, but the government of Hungary and the European project.  

 Am I mistaken? 

No comments:

Post a Comment