Prime Minister Viktor Orban said he rejected European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso’s request to withdraw two recent bills, related to the country’s financial stability and the central bank.
Orban said in an interview to commercial Hir TV on Thursday evening that he told Barroso in his reply letter that it was not possible to delay the two draft laws, because they were “important building blocks of the country’s new constitution which is to come into effect from January”. He added that neither law contained anything which the European Commission’s president had a right or capacity to criticise.
The prime minister said every bill put to the Hungarian Parliament was in line with the European legal framework.
Earlier in the week, Barroso asked Orban in a letter to withdraw the two bills, which were fast-tracked for adoption last week, and suggested this might be a precondition for talks on a pending loan agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the European Union. He said neither laws complied with the EU’s basic treaty.
Orban said Hungary did not want a loan from the IMF, it was in need of a precautionary credit line only.
“We do not need money, we are not looking to take out a loan. (…) We need an agreement which allows access to a credit line in case international money markets became paralysed,” he told HirTV.
He said if Hungary was to return to “be controlled by the IMF” and failed to implement its own economy policy, there would be no need for “people like us, who have national feelings.”
“This, however, is not the case at all,” he added.
Orban said he would not reshuffle his government on January 1. He said every government member’s mandate would last as long as his own, adding that the only exception would be if one of the ministers asked him to rethink whether they should continue their work.
On the subject of a recent downgrade of Hungary’s debt by Standard and Poor’s to non-investment status, Orban said “the whole of Europe is under attack, everyone is being downgraded all the time. We soon get used to it and it loses significance.”
He added that Hungary had taken a successful path over the past 18 months.
Orban said “the whole of Europe is under attack, everyone is being downgraded all the time. We soon get used to it and it loses significance.”
He added that Hungary had taken a successful path over the past 18 months
—
Why is Sweden not facing a downgrade?
Why is Sweden also an EU member state having its own currency, exactly like Hungary, getting better numbers when Hungary is just getting worse numbers?
The Supreme Leader is though correct in “Hungary had taken a successful path over the past 18 months”, if now “a successful path” is suppose to go straight to default and misery. Hungary has been *the worst* performer regarding its currency the last 6 months
It is a joke, not worth more than that
But neither Fidesz nor The Supreme Leader are responsible, except for the “successful path” of course…
Yes. The game is up for the Viktator and his bedraggled mob of dunces. The above claims are testament to the fact that he has lost touch with reality. I think Orban Viktor should have his ratings downgraded to “junk” status, or worse – if that were possible!
The man is an idiot and not even particularly smart. How does he dominate an entire political party. He’s transparently dumb.
I agree, but the only problem with this line of though is, that you have to qualify the people who voted for him the same you, you qualify him. He is no newcomer, everybody could foresee what his government would bring, especially after not disclosing anything resembling a gyt program.
I live in Hungary but thank the lucky starts I’m not an Hungarian… This was the other way around 10 years ago.
Agree or don’t agree with him, but yet again you show yourself as so “substantive” and “enlightened.” by slinging epithets. I can do that too about your messiah that is currently in power in the United States. He hasn’t done anything, so I guess I can denegrate him right? You are doing what the typical liberal does when faced with confronting opposition, you name call and make accusations, instead of coming to the table with solutions. I believe Saul Linsky would be proud of you. Liberal arrogance, elitism, and huberis seem to be yours. You repeatedly comment on things that happen in Hungary; Yet you aren’t Hungarian. Why do liberals find it necessary to interfere in the politics of other sovereign nations? If this is the path the Hungarians choose for themselves, then who are you to comment or say anything? despite all this, you remain in Budapest, why?
if one goes to the wikipedia site of Arthur Finkelstein
one finds an impressive list of leaders this gentleman
coaches:
for example : bibi netanyahu and ….Victor orban.
If one follows the media in israel and hungary there
is a striking similarity of political issues:
a)changes to constitution and high court
b)Media laws and attack on free media
c)social benefit cuts and demos of doctors
d)proposal of \Fat\ tax
e)Huge chaotic organisation on top level offices
etc,etc.
Both speak the same and act the same with as reading
the same coaching papers.
Only difference: Victor orban says : \I have to show leadership \(first sentence on coaching paper!) and Netanyahu does it.
Finkelstein is the man who runs our desolate leaders!
Do Hungarian know that their leader is being coached by a gay jew?
The big question is whether or not he will go peacefully. He’s obviously lost the plot.
“everyone is being downgraded all the time. We soon get used to it…”. Well yes, but not everyone’s securities have been downgraded to junk status. It’s bad enough when a private company has been downgraded to such status, but for a government, the effects are even more wide ranging. It makes it all the harder to borrow and even harder to sell more bonds. This is not a good place to be, and I wish he would take this matter with more seriousness, and begin to address it. Without leadership, the country is headed for further downgrades.
@judas “Do Hungarian know that their leader is being coached by a gay jew?”
Sure. Why do you think his Party called ZSIDESZ?
[I see you keep posting about this Arthur Finkelstein guy; are you his employee or his lover? Maybe for a change you should start posting about another Finkelstein - Norm Finkelstein.]
@American in Budapest “The man is an idiot and not even particularly smart.”
The Professor posted again. Unfortunately for him he did not hide his identity. Deserves a kick!
@Farkas László “Without leadership, the country is headed for further downgrades.”
Sadly enough that is not the biggest problem.
To avoid the total catastrophe I think the government should have taken some of JOBBIKs proposals. Like renegotiating our state debt for one; instead of paying it with private pension funds. [State debt still grew by 1028 Million Forint despite of this.]
It’s still not to late yet. The government could still use this action as a weapon in exchange for getting aboard with the latest ‘Euro-saving’ German-French proposal.
[I think this proposal to save the Euro will eventually fail by mid 2013 and hopefully this utopia of ‘United States of Europe’ totally fall apart some times after that – so Mama Merkel can pay the German compensation to that little shitty country in the Middle-East for the next Millennia and give them subsidized German built submarines in good old German Marks again.]
Oh, yes, Mr. Anti-Semitic, are you really stupid enough to think Hungary can use its veto to re-negotiate its debt?
You love Hungary, don’t you, you disgusting bastard?
So, simple answer on a simple question:
* Should Hungary use its veto to re-negotiate its debt?
If yes, feel free to elaborate how this would be used, then the UK will not say yes and that did not stop the 17 Euro-countries to go on, plus most of the other countries will join also
The thing with the new rules is that they will mean automatic punishment if a country does not fulfil their part, so why should the EU/ECB/IMF borrow out any more money, if Hungary does not ply ball?
Hi DoubleH,
If I were Orbán, I would certainly try for renegotiation, although bear in mind that is asking the lenders to take a write off. (He may have tried this in private meetings.)
He will also have to increase his revenues with better tax collection.
I agree the future of the Euro looks troubled.
Side note to Erik:
How many of my posts are going to be in moderation and eventually appear or puff gone, deleted before I take the advise of Elle and leave your libsi, Communist, Gypsy criminals- defending Swedish-Italian-American [not according to one poster (not here) and a Gypsy website (your kind of people olga). [BTW I am very disappointed in FL, who I have respected ‘till I seen him sing up wholeheartedly to this Lendvai BS: in the name of that so many people are reading this site 24/7 all over the world (maybe even governments) so we should clear up our language and God forbid to offend those pesky minorities (to offend Hungarians or whites in general is still ok though – the more you do it is the better.) No fucking moderation there, eh Erik. FL – question to you: You think all those people who are logged into this site are governments? For one I leave my computer for hours on this site and walk away. And all those other places? Their stay is 1-5 seconds.]
So all in all – I am just tired of it. Erik, it makes me sad that you, as an American does not stand up for the principle of free speech because of the ‘almighty dollar’. I loved this site in the past because we could all tell our opinion without restrictions. How more lively it was at that time! Now, half a day goes by without any posting, and even then you have to use all kinds of tricks not to be moderated. (In my last posting I only quoted the guy and I am still in moderation because of the ‘magic’ word!!!
So, you liberal, Hungarian bashing foreigners can have your site pretty soon leaving you with the Mischling wolfi to talk about his Hungarian speaking ‘hazaáruló’”very Hungarian” leaghing relatives at a burial site.
Actually, the moderation thing is almost 100% about blocking commercial spam; we haven’t really had any need to zap comments for any other reason recently. Meanwhile, come January I am going to try a new spam filter system that should not involving stuff getting automatically flagged for moderation, though I am skeptical it will keep the spammers at bay.
Kedvesem,
I have never commented on Lendvai. Perhaps you are mistaking me for someone else?
Although I think it highly likely that some people in the Hungarian government do monitor this site (certainly the Media Council staff), I have no reason to think most people logged into the website are governments.
Easy, child.
@I love Hungary “Easy, child.”
Typical reply of an all-knowing American [ethnicity Q. inserted here].
You claim to be a Ron Paul supporter. How could that be? Your postings with a few exceptions sounds more like you are a big fan of ‘Amarikai Népszava’ [although I don’t think they print it in Yiddish, and for sure you don’t know Hungarian. So, what is your favourite (I hope you like the real English spelling.) paper, is it People’s World?
Would you prefer “easy, ranting idiot”.
For what it matters, I speak Hungarian and German and Spanish. My favorite newspaper is WSJ and the Economist, and I usually watch Fox News.
“Child” is a soft reference to your experience with democracy. The kind that seems to believe democracy refers to a “tyranny of the majoriy”.
Since you have obviously spent as much time reading Ron Paul’s views as you have spent reading your own new constitution- you will understand how Pauls views of libertarian conservatism is diametrically opposed to Orban. Even you would agree, that Orban has acted strongly to empower central government: antithesis to Paul’s comittment to preserving personal liberty, and desolving power to the extent possible.
Now to your Jewish insinuiations. I find that rather odd, as, unless you are exceptional FIDESZ and/or Jobbik supporter, you may find it remarkable that I am a Christian that actually attends church every Sunday. Another “typical American” trait.
Just because I think Orban is a Facsist and Gyurcsany is a Corrupt Communist, does not make me Jewish.
Though, in a “child’s eyes” such as yours, you may associate everyone who disagrees with you with Zionism.
Poor HHadmirer – do you really think you could hurt me by calling me a “Mischling” ?
If you don’t like it here – there is kuruc, stormfront, hungarianambiance and in case you know some German (like you pretend) the thiazi site – there you’ll find enough loonies like your friend Sheppard.
For the others here:
Sheppard wrote books with titles like:
All About Women: what Big Sister doesn’t want you to know
Anna Frank’s Novel: the ‘Diary’ is a Fraud
The Science of Sex
It is called ‘cyclical catastrophe’. Orban and his playmates bugger things up. Then there is a public outcry condemning the idiotic policies of the Orange Oafs.
Followed by legislation to silence the angry masses which incurs further resentment and dissatisfaction as the ship and iceberg argue about who is to blame?
Spring election? Save money…simply throw the baby out with the bathwater and introduce a team of technocrats that will do a better job at less cost with more benefits to the people. Itt az idő
BTW. What is a Mischling? Is it a another wine to add to Wolfi’s rather large collection…similar to Riesling only ‘frutier’ and ‘sweeter’.. a “hybrid” you might say?
American in Budapest & Viking
Sure, why not. If the Irish can try it, why can’t we? (link will follow)
http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/1218/eurozone.html
But this new Agreement will not be signed by everyone, when the UK already has rejected it
What leverage would Ireland have to get a better existing deal on repayments than what they already have, if they refuse to sign up to automatic repression?
What is it in for the EU on that?
It is already clear that at least one will not be at the table as a guest, but on the menu instead
So what if Ireland and Hungary join the Menue?
Being on the Menue will just mean it will be harder to get better rating and hence more expensive loans
@wolfi
Sheppard is in jail because he published some cartoons.
Of course in your alcohol-saturated mind his cartoons are not the same ‘freedom of expression’ as the ones that were depicting the Prophet Muhammad as a dog. [Probably the biggest insult in the Arab world, you can make.]
But double standard is the rage in the ‘New World Order’, isn’t it?
@Kevin Kocsma “What is a Mischling? ,,, a “hybrid””
Sure, you might say that. It’s not a hybrid of wines though.
@Farkas László
I think you misunderstood me. I know you never commented on Lendvai. It is my fault though. I should have put quotation marks around Lendvai BS. What I meant was that you welcomed the censorship seemingly forced upon Erik by the New Media Council.
[In my opinion this Media Council should make themselves busier about fair coverage in the media regarding Parties instead of watching what posters scream at each other on a website. For example in the past almost two years in ATV: MSZP – 52%; Jobbik – 0.92 %. Klubrádió: immeasurable because Jobbik got 0% coverage.]
For example in the past almost two years in ATV: MSZP – 52%; Jobbik – 0.92 %
—
Why do you not present the stats for HirTV or EchoTV, two of the leading right-wing pro-Fidesz and pro-”Jobbik” (when it suits Fidesz) TV-channels?
These TV-channels, like other non-state media, in a democracy do not need to be ‘balanced’
And exactly the demand for ‘balance’ in the New Media Law was struck down by the Hungarian Constitutional Court lately, was it not?
Hi DoubleH,
I wrote quite a bit about the Media Law when it was passed, and also when they announced a hotline for webcontent. I tried to foresee the consequences, especially for Erik. One has to take these laws seriously, even if they are slectively and seldom enforced. There is an awful lot in those 200 pages of legislation that they can hang a man on! The addition of a hotline for informants made the matter even worse.
The moderation standard that has been imposed on these boards is fairly common throughout the world, especiallly on commercial and corporate pages. Although The result has been a greater tone of civility on this website, that came about because of fear, fear of a law that I believe puts a pall on expression. That I don’t feel is appropriate! I have called for a revision or even a repeal of this law a number of times. I also object to the 65 billion HUF annual budget to the Media Council, an absurd amount of money to give to a 9 man council!
Doesn’t anyone here understand that you can’t just pass laws and say, “Oh, yeah but we will only enforce them selectively.”?
@Viking “Why do you not present the stats for HirTV or EchoTV”
Simply, I don’t know it. But you let me know when you see any reporting in the mainstream media that shows Jobbik in a positive light. You can only see them in the news if it’s negative or manipulated as such; or mostly just a simple lie about them. No matter though, they are the only one gaining in the polls – more and more Hungarians are waking up.
DoubleH63 says:
January 1, 2012 at 4:19 am
let me know when you see any reporting in the mainstream media that shows Jobbik in a positive light
—
I will, but as you pointed out, that does not stop “Jobbik” from gaining points, does it?
As with happened in other countries, describing some parties as “outsiders” has boosted their credits among the part of the population that regards any ‘anti-establishment’ as a good thing
Then the population just has to chose if they prefer the left- or the right-wing extremism
The profile of ‘main-stream’ media is of course to promote “establishment’ and not the opposite. The problem is thought, that Hungary, like Denmark, is turning these ‘anti-established’ ideas into ‘established’ ideas, into mainstream. This is the outspoken policy of The Supreme Leader to control his right-wing
It is of course interesting that Mr 8863′s source for all this stats, kuruc-info, does not carry the same stats for HirTV and EchoTV. Maybe the result would be too off there also, but on the other side of the spectrum, *especially* when measuring pro-statements for typical “Jobbik”-issues that is then presented as something Fidesz is for
I cannot remember we have seen Barroso’s letter to Orban, so in my next post I will link it
Here are some nice pieces:
“I regret to note the lack of consultation with the Commission and Economic and Financial Committee, prior to asking IMF assistance. This is not in line with standard procedures and does not contribute to creating atmosphere of trust and predictability”
“the talks had to be interrupted, given the lack of assurance on the side of Minister Fellegi that the adoption of two cardinal laws – Magyar Nemzeti (MNB) bill, and Financial Stability Law – would be postponed till we are certain they are compatible with the EU law”
“These laws contain provisions which could be in contradiction with the Treaty and interfere with previously issued European policy advice. The Commission has serious doubts on the compatibility of the current version of the Magyar Nemzeti Bank (MNB) bill with Article 130 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. I also regret that the last drafts of these laws have not been subject to a consultation with the ECB which repeatedly expressed its concerns”
“If the laws adopted are incompatible with the EU legislation, they will need to be changed. This creates atmosphere of instability. I would strongly advise you to withdraw the two cardinal laws (on the MNB and the financial stability law) from Parliament. Let us then work together to make sure they are compatible with the EU law”
“but the origin of Hungary’s economic and financial troubles predominantly lies in the domestic policy decisions and measures. Therefore, a possible programme should carry appropriate policy conditionality”
The link:
-
http://napifix.postr.hu/napileaks-a-barroso-level-teljes-terjedelmeben-retusalatlanul-kocsis-matenak-es-pinter-sandornak-szeretettel
-
Scroll down for the English original
The Supreme Leader honoured the Christmas edition of the Hungarian daily Magyar Nemzet with a lengthy interview
The English translation can be found here:
-
http://thecontrarianhungarian.wordpress.com/2011/12/27/the-dear-leader-to-his-people-a-christmas-interview-with-viktor-orban/
-
And here we have an authentic picture depicting The Supreme Leader fighting the International Capital
-
http://kep.index.hu/1/0/259/2591/25915/2591588_78eb589650dba4f31c9db0a7c69e65e5_wm.jpg
-
It seems to be 3 demonstrations planned outside the State Opera this evening, where Fidesz will celebrate its New Constitution
* 2 against the New Constitution
(They may come together)
and
* 1 against the other two demonstrations
This is the New Magyar Garda, Budahazy, etc, that wants to stop at least Gyurcsány’s ‘Democratic Coallition’ from demonstrating
It is now public that The Supreme Leader will use a newly reovated tunnel to be able to come in and out from the State Opera, without seeing the people outside
As I understaqnd this tunnel has never been used as this before, more for artists to move around without concerns for the weather
It seems that the Police is considering a highten security risk tonight
From portfolio:
News of Hungary’s Parliament approving the controversial Central Bank Act have triggered a major sell-off of the forint, with the EUR/HUF rate skyrocketing all the way to 317. The new legislation is clearly seen as an infringement upon monetary policy independence in Hungary as it serves the purpose of increased government control over the National Bank of Hungary. This view is shared by the European Central Bank as well as the European Commission and the International Monetary Fund. For this reason, international organizations demanded that the government engages in prior consultation on the new law as a prerequisite for a new line of IMF/EU credit to be approved for Hungary. As the government has failed to do so, markets fear chances for a financial assitance agreement may be waning.
The Hungarian forint is losing value from minute to minute, just barely escaping the all-time historic peak of 317.6 vs. the euro. The past hour saw a correction however the rate is still above 313.
===
Also from portfolio:
Hungary’s general government debt equalled 82.6% of gross domestic product at the end of September, the central bank’s (NBH) financial accounts data showed on Monday. The last time the debt-to-GDP ratio was higher than that was in 1995
===
From Swedish papers:
The interests Hungary need to pay for new loans has also risen from 9,62 to 10,19 procent
===
A good start on the new year