Orbán says Hungary’s national security threatened by “coup” plot aided by international diplomats, media [51]
December 22nd, 2009

New details over secret recording of former PM’s infamous speech

Former prime minister Ferenc Gyurcsány’s speech to Socialist MPs at Balatonőszöd in May 2006, was recorded within the building, not by anyone with a listening device outside the building, MTV1 News reported.

The leak of the speech in September of that year led to weeks of riots and unrest.

However, a National Security Office inquiry was unable to determine how the recording was relayed to the media. Gyurcsány has repeatedly denied that he had anything to do with the leak.

The speech was not recorded with the use of secret service equipment, but by means of sound recording equipment at the government resort where the MPs gathered.

Magyar Rádió posted the transcript of the recording on its website on September 17 of 2006. In the expletive-laden speech, Gyurcsány said the cabinet had lied for the previous 18-24 months, had not done anything to reform the economy and had spent more than the country could afford.

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8 Comments

  1. Vándorló says:

    “government resort” is there a more obscene phrase one can think of in a democracy?

  2. wolfi says:

    That (in)famous speech – is there a translation available somewhere ?
    Even though reading it might mean ruining Christmas…

  3. Curious George says:

    @Wolfie – you can find half of that speech (the controversial part) on wiki in English. http://tinyurl.com/yhg3xb.
    Not sure about the rest.

  4. wolfi says:

    @CG:
    Sorry, but the link doesn’t work – maybe it’s a sign, I shouldn’t read that over Christmas…
    Thanks anyway for your positive statements on this site!

  5. Curious George says:

    Wolfie – Try cut and paste link, or else search Gyurcsany speech on wiki.

  6. wolfi says:

    @CG:
    Thanks, found it on wiki – but I’ll wait until next year to read it…

  7. Hornblower says:

    Gyurscany: “the cabinet had lied for the previous 18-24 months, had not done anything to reform the economy and had spent more than the country could afford.”
    What’s new? Everyone was aware that Gyurcsany Ferenc was a gormless idiot who had somehow become prime minister of Hungary.
    He boasted to his supporters at a private venue that he and his party the MSZP had done
    absolutely nothing to help the nation improve its position.
    And all this before the world financial crisis.
    It draws the analogy with the king’s new clothes.
    Everybody was being “duped” until, in this instance the king himself shouted: look at me -I’m a cheat, a liar, a thief, and an all-round bad egg. Never mind. This is Hungary and I can get away with it.

  8. Contemplator says:

    I always wondered why there were mass riots, it is the norm
    everywhere that politicians lie, if people around the world rioted
    every time they caught a politician lying there would be total
    chaos. Furthermore, some people have said it is because he
    admitted to lying, well I think a lot more people around the world
    would like a politician to admit that. Then they can say “well I knew
    he was lying and he was lying about lying but now I know I am
    right.”