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Viktor Orbán’s interpretation of the Brexit referendum
In the wake of the stunning Brexit referendum outcome, pro-government papers wisely waited for word from the boss before they dared express any opinion on the subject. They didn’t have to wait long. At...
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ONE OF THE FIRST STEPS AFTER BREXIT MUST BE THE REFORM OF THE EU BUDGET
As always, Hungarian Spectrum welcomes democratic voices from and about Hungary. Today András Lukács, President of the Hungarian NGO Clean Air Action Group (Levegő Munkacsoport) and Board Member of...
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Viktor Orbán in the wake of Brexit
As I’m following commentaries on “life after Brexit,” I’m struck by the huge divergence of opinions. There are those who are certain that one Euroskeptic country after the other will hold a referendum...
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Viktor Orbán’s first day in Brussels without his British prop
Today, after a meeting of the European Council sans David Cameron, several European leaders gave press conferences, starting with President Jean-Claude Juncker. From his brief summary of the meeting,...
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Anti-semitism, racism, Huxit, or just a bad dream?
A few days ago I was toying with the idea of returning to my discussion of interwar Hungarian history as portrayed by Sándor Szakály, director-general of the government’s very own historical institute,...
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George Soros before the European Parliament and the Hungarian government’s...
Every time George Soros makes a public statement, which he does frequently, the Hungarian political right launches a frenzied attack against him. Interestingly, the Hungarian media didn’t spend much...
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Viktor Orbán’s pointless but possibly dangerous referendum
Although the international media has been aware, for some months, of the Orbán government’s looming referendum on the “migration quota issue,” now that President János Áder has fixed its date for...
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Hungarians torn apart by anti-refugee propaganda
The Publicus Institute has released the results of its poll, taken between July 1 and 6, on Hungarians’ attitude toward and assessment of the European Union. To put the results in perspective, the...
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Hungary’s sudden interest in the eurozone
Mihály Varga, minister of economics, just dropped a surprise package. In a lengthy interview, he talked about Hungary’s plans to join the Eurozone by the end of the decade. It’s difficult to reconcile...
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Viktor Orbán endorsed “the excellent” Donald Trump for president of the...
The news of Viktor Orbán’s endorsement of Donald Trump to be the next president of the United States stunned the world. Orbán is the first and most likely the last European political leader to extol...
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Does Viktor Orbán really want a common European army?
It often happens, especially at Tusványos in a more relaxed atmosphere, that Viktor Orbán’s most interesting remarks come after his speech is over and when he is more willing to answer questions. While...
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Russian propaganda aimed at weakening the European Union
The once fiercely anti-Russian Hungarian right and far-right have changed their tune in the last six years, encouraged by Viktor Orbán’s Eastern opening and his openly pro-Russian foreign policy. It...
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The latest revelations in the Roland Mengyi case
People unfamiliar with Viktor Orbán’s Hungary might think that I’m spending far too much time on the case of Roland Mengyi, a Fidesz MP. So what, they might say. They caught a politician who is a...
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The leaders of Visegrád 4 meet with Angela Merkel
The European Union has gone through some rough times in the last year and a half. The Brexit decision certainly shook an EU already battered by the influx of almost two million refugees and immigrants....
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Mária Schmidt’s “Israelification of Europe” and Mária M. Kovács’s review
Well-known pro-government “intellectuals” often create blogs on which they write articles paid for by the Orbán government. Mária Schmidt, by contrast, offers her services gratis. She doesn’t need the...
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The Orbán government’s colossal swindle: the residency bonds
It’s time to return to one of the largest scams the Orbán government has come up with to date: the sale of “residency bonds.” The project was launched in 2013. It allowed a citizen of a non-European...
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The Orbán government under fire
Viktor Orbán was named “Man of the Year” at the Economic Forum held in the Polish city of Krynica. He was chosen from a list of dignitaries, politicians, and scholars that included Pope Francis, but...
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Jean Asselborn calls for the expulsion of Orbán’s Hungary from the EU
Only a few hours have gone by since Luxembourg’s Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn gave an interview to Die Welt in which he called for the temporary or permanent expulsion of Hungary from the European...
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European solidarity and Orbán’s Hungary
It would be far juicier to write about György Matolcsy’s fascination with Buddhist ten-million multiplier days, which seem to direct the work of the Hungarian National Bank, and his new girlfriend’s...
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The Bratislava Summit: No “victory lap” for Viktor Orbán
I often stress that Hungarian Spectrum is a cooperative enterprise because we have readers who, in the comment section, carry on an active exchange of ideas. That in turn enriches my own contributions....
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