It’s seldom worth spending much time mulling the things that Hungarian politicians say – as opposed to what they do – and even less vital to ponder things said by their spokespeople. Still, I couldn’t help but notice some yakking on Friday by Péter Szijjártó on the topic of “European values.” According to inforadio.hu, the spokesman for Prime Minister Viktor Orbán launched into the topic after getting an earful from Socialist MEP Gábor Harangozó, who said that the government should heed the criticism of the new constitution by the European Parliament and other voices in Europe.
In response, Szijjártó said that Hungary’s new constitution had been welcomed by many in Europe because it “protects European values,” including “family,” “nation,” “liberty” and “human dignity.”
Without getting into an argument over what should be considered “European values” – or trying to pin down the always nebulous concept of “human dignity” (or even “liberty”) – does anyone really think that “family” and “nation” are notable European values anymore? It seems especially dubious to claim that Europe today stands for “nation,” when the entire “European project” is aimed at dissolving the traditional monopoly of power enjoyed by the continent’s nation states. One could probably make an equally strong case that “Europe” is equally hostile to the traditional family.
What’s especially notable about Szijjártó’s strong line – which really does seem to reflect that of the Prime Minister and government he speaks for – is that it runs against that of many Fidesz-like parties and groups in Europe, who are openly scornful of contemporary “European values” and the transnational body that epitomizes and propagates them. But of course, unlike most openly “Euroskeptic” parties, Fidesz is in power. And given Hungary’s position in the European economic pecking order, speaking more frankly about Europe and its values would go against that most cherished of European values: getting one’s hands on money earned and taxed somewhere else in Europe.
Erik. Hungary struggles because there aren’t enough intelligent or talented individuals in parliament or trade and commerce to enable the country to compete in Europe – and, for that matter, the rest of the world.
(The astute and informed tend to find work abroad and the circle of frustration is complete!)
BTW. More pressing issues to consider…doom and gloom – any more room?
Recycling paper in the form of money, or bonds, etc., cannot disguise the fact that the world is bankrupt.
China has peaked and is now in “freefall,” the USA is “creaking” under the weight of its massive debt, and Greece (350 billion euro deficit), Italy, and several other Eurozone failures threaten to bring down the once mighty European Union.
Pensions are being frittered away in one last attempt to stem the rising tide of economic implosion and the artifice of creative accounting is no longer an option as a means to disguise the truth.
Stack up a mountain of gold… it still won’t do you any favors…the game is up and, on the horizon, things look to get very nasty indeed.
European values? Here they are…!! (Fiscal integration?)
Greece and its huge debt has to be ‘isolated’ then and ‘quarantined’ for some time to come because ‘contagion’ is becoming all too much of a reality for the rest of Europe.
German and French banks are up to their necks in the Greek tragedy and the tide is rising by the day.
Merkel is suggesting that private investors get involved and a further bank tax (???) which is not good news for either borrowers or lenders!
All in all the term, ‘rescheduling the debt’ is a less hazardous term for ‘default’!
Greece and its government are expecting a further 120 billion euros simply to pay its debts
and there is little, or no growth, forecast over the next three years.
When will the Eurozone leaders face up to the fact that one bad apple is going to contaminate the rest of Europe unless they stop throwing money at it and come clean
and declare the place a liability that they/we can no longer support? (Viz-a-viz:Default by Default).